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Subject:RE: The word system From:Jim Shaeffer <jims -at- spsi -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 21 Aug 2001 10:24:28 -0400
I do remember reading a work on technical writing (can't
locate the source) that cautioned against overuse of the
word "system".
Since systems go together to create larger systems, it
is possible use the word "system" to refer to the entities
at every level of organization. (So, the Giant systems,
the Big systems, the Middle systems, the Little systems and
the Tiny systems are all parts of the Overall System.)
This usage is not technically incorrect, but it robs the
writing of any specificity and makes it difficult for the
reader to figure out just which "system" you are talking
about.
As Michael West pointed out:
> The word 'system' tends to refer to the container rather
> than the component -- even if the component is also
> a 'system.'
>
> I no longer know whether I'm making sense, so I'll leave it
> there.
There is no rule for level of complexity, but it's a good
idea to re-write to avoid repeated use of the word
"system". Use more explicit terms so the reader doesn't
have to figure it out.
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