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Subject:RE: Active versus passive From:"Le Vie, DonaldX S" <donaldx -dot- s -dot- le -dot- vie -at- intel -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 21 Dec 2000 05:16:33 -0800
In the convoluted, frequently ambiguous world of microprocessor
documentation, passive voice is often the best way to convey information.
However, I try to get the SME's to think of their writing as a conversation
on paper in as many passages as possible when stressing the need for active
voice. There are only a few who take such advise to heart. Pushing better
writing upstream (even just as far as around the bend) in the documentation
development process allows the pubs folks more opportunity to add value when
the documents reach them.
But it's been an exercise of spitting in the face of a hurricane much of the
time.
Donn Le Vie
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