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.
Subject:Re: Terminology for Select Exit From:Jane Bergen <janeb -at- ANSWERSOFT -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 28 Feb 1997 13:52:22 -0600
At 10:08 AM 2/28/97 -0800, Susan W. Gallagher wrote:
>>>What is the correct terminology for describing a menu selection?
>>>
>>>Is it:
>>> Select Exit FROM the menu
>>> Select Exit ON the menu
>>> Select Exit IN the menu
>
>You serve users well if you create right-branching sentences, telling
>them first the menu, then the option. I use an arrow to separate the
>menu name from the option name, as in:
>
> Select File > Exit from the menu.
I believe the best option is this:
On the File menu, select Exit.
This style eliminates any unnecessary words. It also places the actions in
the order that the user encounters them, as in Susan's example, but I like
the word "Menu" not to be so far from the modifier ("File"). For example,
before s/he sees the Exit command, the user must open the File menu. And
FWIW, I bold the words "File" and "Exit" and make them Arial font to stand
out against the usual text (Book Antiqua/Palatino).
If you work with cascading or multilayered menus, I write it like this:
On the File menu, select Run > Script.
(we have a weird program! when you click Print, you get another little menu
that cascades with several options for things that run...) I've seen a
study or detailed discussion of this approach somewhere...but it makes for
common sense, too.
Jane Bergen
Jane Bergen, Technical Writer
AnswerSoft, Inc. Dallas, TX
janeb -at- answersoft -dot- com
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
