RE: The 'user' in User Manual

["Andrew Warren" <awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com>]

Steve Cavanaugh wrote:

> without explicitly identifying to whom I am referring, it is very
> difficult to write a cohesive sentence about the procedure that I
> want the user to follow. In these cases, I tend to say "The Test
> Operator clicks here, the PC responds with this, the Unit Under
> Test does that..."

But if the manual's written for the Test Operator, the imperative-voice
version -- "Click here. The PC responds with this, the Unit Under Test
does that..." -- seems just as cohesive.

Plus, since there's only one "you" in imperative-voice instructions,
your reader will never have to wonder whether a pronoun in your manual
refers to him or to someone else.  And, since "you" is gender-neutral,
you won't have to spend as much time ensuring (or defending your
decision not to ensure) gender-neutrality in your choice of pronouns.

-Andrew

=== Andrew Warren  - awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com
=== Synaptics, Inc - Santa Clara, CA
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team authoring,
Web-based technology, and PDF output. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40infoinfocus.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.