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Re: Taking active vs. passive voice too far

Subject: Re: Taking active vs. passive voice too far
From: Mike Starr <mike -at- writestarr -dot- com>
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:47:57 -0500

If you're the only technical writer and there's no style guide, then *you are the style guide*. Make the documents consistent and be prepared to defend your style approaches.

Best Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Starr WriteStarr Information Services
Technical Writer - Online Help Developer - WordPress Websites
Graphic Designer - Desktop Publisher - Custom Microsoft Word templates
(262) 694-1028 - mike -at- writestarr -dot- com - http://www.writestarr.com
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On 2013-07-09 9:45 am, M -dot- Vina-Baltsas -at- mindray -dot- com wrote:

I'm working with a manual that was primarily written in the passive voice.
I'm struggling with how far I should go with my edits. No, there is no
style guide, and as a result, there are many inconsistencies throughout
the manual. Please see the examples below and tell me if you think I'm
going too far with active vs. passive voice.

Topic heading:
List Trends
List Trends can be accessed by selecting the History button from the Main
Screen.

or

Topic heading:
List Trends
Access List Trends by selecting the History button from the Main Screen.

________________________________________________________________

Michelle ViÃa-Baltsas


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References:
Taking active vs. passive voice too far: From: M . Vina-Baltsas

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