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Subject:Re: my bad displays habit From:Mike Starr <mike -at- writestarr -dot- com> To:suzchiles -at- gmail -dot- com Date:Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:06:39 -0600
Click the *Settings* button. <program name> displays an *Edit Settings* dialog box similar to the one shown here.
[screen capture]
In spite of the collective received wisdom that my approach is wrong on so many levels, I'll continue to use it unless a corporate style guide expressly dictates otherwise. I like to make sure the user knows exactly what the result of his/her action will be. Yes, this may be tedious for both the writer and the reader but I prefer to think the clarity of this approach adds enough value to outweigh the tedium.
Mike
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Suzanne Chiles wrote:
> I have fallen into the bad habit, when writing task topics, of following the
> instructions with sentences like "The Edit Settings window displays." I know
> this is bad usage, but all other versions of this type of information seem
> awkward and overly-thought-out. I think it goes back to a manager I had many
> years ago who wouldn't let us say "appears" because she thought it made it
> sound like the results of a magic spell.
>
> Anyway, I am open to suggestions.
>
> tia,
> Suzanne
>
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