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The question seems to be: conditional info first, or action info first? To
illustrate why I believe it's best to put the conditional info first, I'll
use an example from a friend who used to teach Drivers Ed (in the car). He
said, "I've learned to tell a new driver __when__ to do something before
telling them __what__ to do. For example, 'At the stop sign, turn left.'
Otherwise I find drivers will end up turning and parking on somebody's
lawn."
Karen Field
Sr. Technical Writer
Stellcom, Inc.
kfield -at- stellcom -dot- com
A poster at Ace Hardware inquiries about documenting repeated steps
-- "some of us are stating "Repeat steps 2 and 3 to/until...", while
others are stating "In order to..., repeat steps 2 and 3". "
When I use repeated steps, I specify the condition to be met first, then
specify the steps to be repeated. For example, "If additional transport
facilities are required, repeat steps 2 and 3." In other words, I supply the
reason or outcome first, followed by the action.
My two cents -- others may differ.
Catheryn Mason, Technical Writer
Infinitec Communications
cmason -at- infinitec-com -dot- com
Winner, 1999 IABC Bronze Quill Award of Excellence for Technical Writing
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