"Next" or "the following" -- What is your preference?

[Pro TechWriter]

Me too :-)

Everyone is trained in Information Mapping here, so they seem to want more
at the end of the introductory sentence. I prefer Gene's method, but people
get fussy with me if I do that.

I think I'll just go back to "the following," especially after the MSMTS and
the Sun Read Me First guides say so. I looked it up, and I believe that
"following" in this instance is a participial adjective (present participal)
modifying a thing (list, steps, and so on), even if the thing is implied.

Too bad. I always lean toward using the shorter word if I can.

Thanks, everybody, for the comments!

PT

On 12/11/06, Cardimon,Craig <ccardimon at m-s-g.com> wrote:
>
> I like it. It's clear and direct. Too much in life isn't.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gene Kim-Eng [mailto:techwr at genek.com]
> Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 11:05 AM
> To: Pro TechWriter; Claire Conant
> Cc: TECHWR-L
> Subject: Re: "Next" or "the following" -- What is your preference?
>
> Assuming that the directive in question is coming on the heels
> of a description of the form and its purpose, my choice would
> be simply to say:
>
> To complete the form:
>
> 1.  First step
> 2.  Second step
> 3.  Third step
> etc.
>
> Gene Kim-Eng
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pro TechWriter" <pro.techwriter at gmail.com>
> To: "Claire Conant" <Claire.Conant at digeo.com>
> Cc: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l at lists.techwr-l.com>
> Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 7:51 AM
> Subject: Re: "Next" or "the following" -- What is your preference?
>
>
> > It's more like:
> >
> > "Choose one from the list, next:"
> >
> > or
> >
> > "Use the steps, next, to complete the form:"
>
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-- 
PT
pro.techwriter at gmail.com
I'm a Technical Technical Writer!