Re: Grammar Q

[Roy Jacobsen <royj -at- writingclearandsimple -dot- com>]

Ben wrote:
> A possible guideline is use the word, you, in   non-procedural content, but avoid it otherwise. 
>   
I have to ask: Why? Why avoid the word "you?" What is the benefit to the 
reader?

I believe that conversational writing is better accepted by readers, 
regardless of the content or context.

Note: By "conversational," I do not mean chatty, sloppy, or colloquial. 
I mean writing using the same basic language that you would use to talk 
to a friend, family member, or acquaintance.

Yes, by all means use the Imperative mood in procedural (or even 
non-procedural) content. If I were instructing a friend in face-to-face 
conversation, I would say "Click the Franistan button." But I would also 
say to that friend "Check that you've entered all the Fritzin 
information before you click the Franistan button." Avoiding the 
second-person pronoun would force me to shift things to a passive-voice 
"Check that the Fritzin information has been entered..." Bleagh!

Again, why avoid "you" in any content, procedural or otherwise?
-- 

*Roy Jacobsen*

Writing, Clear and Simple
1043 10^th Street North
Fargo, ND 58102
USA

	

701.866.9920
royj -at- writingclearandsimple -dot- com <mailto:royj -at- writingclearandsimple -dot- com>
<mailto:royj -at- writingclearandsimple -dot- com>rmjacobsen.squarespace.com 
<http://rmjacobsen.squarespace.com/>



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.