TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
----- Original Message -----
From: "JX" <techwrl-list-only -at- doitall -dot- com>
To: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- editors-writers -dot- info>; "TECHWR-L"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: September 10, 2003 11:49 AM
Subject: Re: Omitting Table and Figure Numbers? (3)
> >> My cross references in FrameMaker always say something like:
> >> For details, see Figure 5, "The Creation of the Earth" on page 123.
> >> For details, see Table 12, "Required Database Fields" on page 72.
> >>
> >> I'm now wondering whether there is genuine benefit of the table and
figure
> >> numbering when my xrefs diligently include a well-thought-out name and
the
> >> page number.
> >>
> >
> > It is easier (takes less time) to read and process "Figure 5" than it does
to
> > read and process the title.
>
> My question is whether to use
>
> For details, see Figure 5, "The Creation of the Earth" on page 123.
> Or
> For details, see the figure "The Creation of the Earth" on page 123.
>
>
> (I don't want to merely put "see Figure 5 on page 123", as the title endows
> a context that seems valuable.)
>
Yes, I understood what you meant. I think that people will look for the figure
number, not the title, but I'm not suggesting that you not use the title.
