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That is a good point. However, at a previous job we removed intro
sentences for localization and saved a lot of money--so it depends on
your localization budget, too. :-)
If the heading makes it clear what the following steps are for, not sure
why you need the intro sentence for clarity.
My two cents.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ann -dot- arnold=kla-tencor -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ann -dot- arnold=kla-tencor -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]
On Behalf Of Peter Sturgeon
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 8:29 AM
To: becca_price -at- yahoo -dot- com; techwrl
Subject: RE: introducing steps
This thread ignores translation. Making the introductory phrase a
complete grammatical sentence makes it easier for translators and
non-native speakers of English to understand the procedure.
By starting with a infinitive phrase, every subsequent step is
grammatically part of a potentially very long serial sentence.
By starting with a complete grammatical sentence, each step acts as an
independent sentence.
Just sayin'
----------------------------------------
> Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:47:31 -0700
> From: becca_price -at- yahoo -dot- com
> Subject: introducing steps
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
> I'm taking a class in technical writing. My teacher says never to
introduce a series of steps with an infinitive (To install Sigil) but to
use an independent clause ("To install Sigil, follow these steps:" or
words to that effect. To me, the clause "follow these steps" is imlied
by the fact that steps follow. Still, it's the teacher, so I have to
follow her style.
>
> Is there a more graceful way to introduce steps? how do yo do it? I'm
pretty much coming up dry.
>
> Thanks
>
> Becca
>
>
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