RE: Overuse of gerunds in headings

["Joe Malin" <jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com>]

I only use gerunds for the headings of procedures.

For conceptual information, I use "About <x>", as in "About Conversation
tags". For "containers" (usually chapters or topics that contain more
detailed sections), I use "Working with <x>". For reference information,
I use "<x>: Reference". 

For context-sensitive help, I use the context name:
* name of dialog box
* name of wizard:name of page
* name of window
* name of tool/tag/identifier

Just a thought.


	 Joe Malin
Technical Writer
(408)625-1623
jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com 
www.tuvox.com
The views expressed in this document are those of the sender, and do not
necessarily reflect those of TuVox, Inc.	

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf
Of William Turner
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 3:33 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Overuse of gerunds in headings

Whirlers,

I have worked in several Pubs departments where the standard heading
style was defined as requiring gerunds.  That works fine for me when the
subject is Installing, Configuring, Restoring...stuff like that.  

However, for an introductory chapter or section, am I breaking a
well-established standard by calling it, for example, "Introduction
to..." or "Overview of..."?  I usually see, in similar situations, that
the author uses "Understanding ..." in order to conform to gerund
orthodoxy.  For some unknown reason, that "Understanding ..." bugs me.

-- Will
~~~~~~~
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