Re: Grammar Q

Subject: Re: Grammar Q
From: Janice Gelb <Janice -dot- Gelb -at- Sun -dot- COM>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:13:28 +1100

Al Geist wrote:
> Janice Gelb wrote:
>
>> I find "you" much the best choice of the alternatives available.
>> I've seen people try to "solve" this problem by establishing a
>> name like Fred, and then referring to "Fred" and "he" and I
>> find that really klutzy. And as I strongly believe in gender-
>> neutral language, "you" and "their" win out.
>
> I have to go with the "get rid of 'you' crowd" on this one. I do not use
> "you" and I try to minimize the use of "their." I also don't resort to
> gimmicks like Fred, he, she, or he/she. I use active voice and tell them
> what needs to be done....Click this, file that, enter this, select that.
> It's worked for the last 30+ years and my clients seem extremely happy with
> my material.
>

I certainly agree that imperative is the way to go in
procedures and the like. Because Lauren's message said
"I also have strong aversions to second-person usage in
documentation," I thought she was recommending avoiding
the use of "you" completely.

-- Janice

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Follow-Ups:

References:
RE: Grammar Q: From: Lauren
Re: Grammar Q: From: Janice Gelb
RE: Grammar Q: From: Al Geist

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