Re: Beginning Titles with "How To"

["Raj Machhan" <raj -dot- machhan -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Using a Gerund could be a better way.


On Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 7:48 PM, Kelly Keck <kkeck -at- imagine-one -dot- com> wrote:

> Deborah Slutzky wrote:
>
> >Hello All,
> >I need some  opinions. Just wondering how folks feel about beginning
> >topic titles with  "How to..." I'm used to beginning them with a gerund,
> >but the shop that I  am now working for has an assorted bag of formats
> >and I run into this once  in a while. Personally, I don't care for it
> >because I think the entire Help  is a How to.....but I'd like some
> >thoughts from  others.
>
> I dislike it for a couple reasons:
>
> -It gets repetitive, especially if the "How To" headings are included in
> your TOC, one right after the other.
>
> -It buries the real topic behind filler words, making it tougher for
> someone
> skimming through headings or a TOC or glancing at a title to find what
> they're looking for.
>
> -As you said, the whole thing is a "How To," so it should go without
> saying.
>
> Since you refer to Help rather than to a manual, I assume this on-line
> help?
> If so, the "How To" might be less jarring, since the user is looking at
> each
> piece separately rather than all together.  Still, I'd prefer gerunds if
> you
> have the leeway to change them--especially if the mixed bag of formats
> your
> refer to is occurring in a single Help system.  If that's the case,
> rewording for consistency would be a good thing.
>
> Kelly Keck
>
>
>
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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

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