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Subject:Re: appears vs is displayed From:Brad Barnes <kiwi -at- BEST -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 25 Mar 1997 23:54:39 -0800
Consider a minimalist approach:
1. Click Add.
2. From the Add Patient window, choose blobbity-blah-blah.
By simple inference, the reader knows that there must be an Add Patient
window on the screen after they have clicked Add. Furthermore, the above
approach helps *orient* the reader without being overly wordy or redundant.
Brad Barnes
Technical Writer
Resumix Inc
kiwi -at- best -dot- com
brad -at- resumix -dot- com
At 08:26 AM 3/25/97 -0600, you wrote:
>Hi ya'll:
>
>I'm in the middle of a raging debate among several tech writers about
>the use of "appears" vs "is displayed," e.g.:
>
>"Click Add and the Add Patient window is displayed."
>vs
>"Click Add and the Add Patient window appears."
>
>Even though it uses the passive voice, I personally prefer "is
>displayed." To me, "appears" sounds like it happens through magic. Any
>thoughts?
>
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