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* "There is" (like "it is") is considered a "weak" construction, and we in the technical communication field like strong active verbs.
A stronger construction would be something like:
"Use one of the following methods to control how test results are saved:"
However don't make too much of the word "weak." It doesn't mean weak writing. And in fact these constructions are very common. It's just that active verbs make for better instructions.
* What might be even better, if this is what you mean (and it might not be):
"Use one of the following methods to save your test results:"
* And, as shown in my two examples above, you would want to end it in a colon rather than in a period, because you will list the two methods.
-Dave
________________________________
From: Nancy Allison <maker -at- verizon -dot- net>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 10:05:24 AM
Subject: Wrong? Poor style? OK?
Does this sentence violate a grammatical principle, is it stylistically
poor, or is it OK, in your opinion:
"There are two ways to control how test results are saved."
It's come up in a review and I don't have a firm opinion about it,
myself . . .
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ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing
solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or
HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. http://www.doctohelp.com
Help & Manual 5: The complete help authoring tool for individual
authors and teams. Professional power, intuitive interface. Write
once, publish to 8 formats. Multi-user authoring and version control! http://www.helpandmanual.com/
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