Re: Grammar Q

[Janice Gelb <Janice -dot- Gelb -at- Sun -dot- COM>]

Al Geist wrote:
> Janice Gelb wrote: 
> 
>> I find "you" much the best choice of the alternatives available.
>> I've seen people try to "solve" this problem by establishing a
>> name like Fred, and then referring to "Fred" and "he" and I
>> find that really klutzy. And as I strongly believe in gender-
>> neutral language, "you" and "their" win out.
> 
> I have to go with the "get rid of 'you' crowd" on this one. I do not use
> "you" and I try to minimize the use of "their." I also don't resort to
> gimmicks like Fred, he, she, or he/she. I use active voice and tell them
> what needs to be done....Click this, file that, enter this, select that.
> It's worked for the last 30+ years and my clients seem extremely happy with
> my material.
> 

I certainly agree that imperative is the way to go in
procedures and the like. Because Lauren's message said
"I also have strong aversions to second-person usage in
documentation," I thought she was recommending avoiding
the use of "you" completely.

-- Janice

***********************************************************
Janice Gelb          | The only connection Sun has with
janice -dot- gelb -at- sun -dot- com  | this message is the return address
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.