TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: forbidden to apostrophize From:Michal Lastman <michall -at- AKS -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 16 Jul 1996 19:12:25 +0200
The only other technical writer at my office has joined sides with the
editor who bans apostrophes. He says that contractions are a sign of
"sloppy" writing. He insists inanimate objects can't use an apostrophe to
show possessive because objects can't possess and for clarity and
consistency, I shouldn't use possessive forms with people's names either. He
referred me to the "Chicago Manual of Style" in which I have yet to find
such a rule but have instead found several examples that contradict him.
However my boss remains unconvinced.
It looks like I'll get out of making the changes to the upcoming version of
the manual only due to time constraints but in future documentation, the new
anti-apostrophe law rules.
Michal Lastman
Technical Communications
E-mail: michal -at- aks -dot- com
Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. Ph# +972 3 6362222
P.O.Box 11141 Tel-Aviv 61110 Israel Fax# +972 3 5375796
TECHWR-L List Information
To send a message about technical communication to 2500+ list readers,
E-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send administrative commands
ALL other questions or problems concerning the list
should go to the listowner, Eric Ray, at ejray -at- ionet -dot- net -dot-
