Re: Help file TOC Sentence VS Question

[Keith Hood <klhra -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

I agree with Robert's method. Also, (non-scientific part here) I don't like using questions in headings or TOC entries because a technical document is supposed to be where the user comes for answers to questions. It's supposed to be authoritative, to reassure him that he's found where his questions will be answered. I think it's good for the reader's peace of mind to use a structure that does not raise questions.

--- On Tue, 10/27/09, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com> wrote:

> From: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> Subject: Re: Help file TOC Sentence VS Question
> To: TECHWR-L -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 3:11 PM
> I prefer to put the relevant verb
> first:
> 
> Time Cards
>   Understanding Time Cards
>   Create a Time Card
>   View a Time Card
>   Find a Time Card
> 
> On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 12:02 PM, Robert Courtney <bobsc1 -at- earthlink -dot- net>
> wrote:
> > I have usually used questions in my help files on how
> to do things. I
> > use sentence headings for some things such as objects
> that I need to
> > discuss. Such as:
> >
> > Time Cards
> >    What is a Time Card?
> >    How do I Create Time Card?
> >    How do I View A Time Card?
> >    How do I Search a Time Card?
> >
> > VS
> >
> > Time Cards
> >    What is a Time Card?
> >    Creating a Time Card
> >    Viewing a Time Card
> >    Searching a Time Card
> >
> > Is there really a preference to using a sentence TOC
> and headings vs
> > questions to accomplish tasks?
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> 
> Free Software Documentation Project Web Cast: Covers
> developing Table of
> Contents, Context IDs, and Index, as well as
> Doc-To-Help  
> 2009 tips, tricks, and best practices.
> http://www.doctohelp.com/SuperPages/Webcasts/
> 
> Help & Manual 5: The complete help authoring tool for
> individual
> authors and teams. Professional power, intuitive interface.
> Write
> once, publish to 8 formats. Multi-user authoring and
> version control! http://www.helpandmanual.com/
> 
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Free Software Documentation Project Web Cast: Covers developing Table of
Contents, Context IDs, and Index, as well as Doc-To-Help  
2009 tips, tricks, and best practices.
http://www.doctohelp.com/SuperPages/Webcasts/

Help & Manual 5: The complete help authoring tool for individual
authors and teams. Professional power, intuitive interface. Write
once, publish to 8 formats. Multi-user authoring and version control! http://www.helpandmanual.com/

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