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Subject:Re: Challenge to active-verb advocates From:Dan Martillotti <danm -at- DEV -dot- TIVOLI -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 25 Jan 1996 16:44:23 CST
(clock starts ticking)
"The people walking by kicked the leaves on the sidewalk, scattering them to
the four winds."
(clock stops ticking)
Less than one minute. OK, so it isn't the exact same sentence, but it has the
same meaning. :-)
The question is not whether active voice is better than passive voice. The
question is which is better in _technical documentation_? IMHO, when you are
presenting introductory or conceptual material, passive is probably OK (I still
strive for active voice), but when presenting procedural information, active
voice works best. Someone is _performing_ a task. Do it with them.
Dan Martillotti
Tivoli Systems, Inc.
danm -at- tivoli -dot- com
----- Begin Included Message -----
"The leaves on the sidewalk were kicked and scattered by passing
feet."
This sentence constitutes the sole member of my "Passive Verb Defense Arsenal." Can you suggest any other candidates?
