RE: You VS One

Subject: RE: You VS One
From: "Lauren" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
To: "'Keith Hansen'" <KRH -at- weiland-wfg -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 14:22:01 -0700

I think that they are both yucky.

The first person imperative is,
"Register by October 15 to vote in the November election."

But that is not really directed to the subject, which in this case is
voters.

I think "you" and "one" are both best avoided by referring to the subject
directly.

"Voters who want to vote in the November election, must register by October
15."

That's my take.

Lauren

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Keith Hansen

> Folks,
>
> What is the generally accepted position today for "you" vs. "one"?
>
> For example, assume an election official wants to mail a letter to all
> registered voters. He can choose either of the following sentences for
> his letter:
>
> * "If you want to vote in the November election, you must register by
> October 15."
> VS.
> * "If one wants to vote in the November election, one must register by
> October 15."
>
> Back long ago (the Victorian era?), "one" was used in such situations
> instead of "you." Today, outside of very formal writing (such as an
> academic paper), does anyone still advocate using "one" instead of
> "you"?
>
> I think "one" sounds ridiculously pompous. However, at least
> one person
> I know thinks "you" is wrong here (too informal, she says)!
>
> Thanks.
>
> Keith

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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 archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.


Follow-Ups:

References:
You VS One: From: Keith Hansen

Previous by Author: RE: What do you guys think of STCs new definition for technicalwriter?
Next by Author: RE: You VS One
Previous by Thread: RE: You VS One
Next by Thread: Re: You VS One


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads