active vs. passive voice

[Elaine]

> I can also think of two other options:> > (B) "1. Click <New Entry>. The New Entry window will appear."
I beg to differ. The Cheshire cat appears. Windows open.
 
Cheers,
Elaine Logan 

> Subject: RE: active vs. passive voice> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:31:19 -0700> From: Leonard.Porrello at SoleraTec.com> To: techwr-l at lists.techwr-l.com> > I think this is where Geoff's construction would be better:> > (A) "1. Click <New Entry> to open the New Entry window." > > I can also think of two other options:> > (B) "1. Click <New Entry>. The New Entry window will appear."> > Or > > (C) "1. To open the New Entry window, click <New Entry>."> > It all depends on how you want to orient the reader. (A) is nice and> compact. (B) is very simple and provides a nice segue to a screen shot.> (C) lets the reader know what he is about to do before he does it. Of> course, (C) is probably more appropriate when the user is about to> execute a step that would be difficult to undo.> > (Note, <New Entry> would be an image of the button.)> > Leonard C. Porrello> SoleraTec LLC> www.soleratec.com> > > > -----Original Message-----> From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard.porrello=soleratec.com at lists.techwr-l.com> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard.porrello=soleratec.com at lists.techwr-l.c> om] On Behalf Of Bastette> Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:17 AM> To: techwr-l at lists.techwr-l.com> Subject: Re: active vs. passive voice> > On Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:24:24AM -0400, Suzette Leeming wrote:> > > My opinion...> > > > "is displayed" is passive, but as others have stated, often> acceptable.> > "displays" is unacceptable because it is a transitive verb.> > "displays a list of blah blah blah" is acceptable.> > "appears" is acceptable but not my favourite.> > "opens" is preferred when referring to windows (as in "the report> criteria> > window opens").> > What about "This {displays/opens/brings up} the XYZ {window/dialog> box}",> where "this" is the action described in the previous (or same)> instruction.> > Eg:> > 1. Click on the New Entry button. This opens the New Entry window> (dialog,> etc).> > 2. ...> > Any objections to that?> > Joyce> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> > Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or > printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 > Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.> http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList> > True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com> > ---> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as culross77 at msn.com.> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > techwr-l-unsubscribe at lists.techwr-l.com> or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/culross77%40msn.com> > > To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join at lists.techwr-l.com> > Send administrative questions to admin at techwr-l.com. Visit> http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.> 
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