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: Use of "You" From:Mitchell Gibbs <gibbs -at- gnv -dot- fdt -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 29 Nov 1999 10:50:03 -0500
Joanne,
When you're in class, do what your instructors tell you to do.
When you're part of a tech. writing department, do what your boss tells you
to do, or what your style guide tells you to do.
When you're in a position to make the decision yourself, research the list
archives on this topic, then decide what's appropriate for your audience.
At 10:17 AM 11/29/99 -0500, Joanne Meehl wrote:
>Hi all,
>Two of the instructors in my Tech Writing program at Northeastern Univ. say
>"NEVER use 'you' in technical documentation". They don't mean the writer
>should eliminate the implied "you", as in "Click the right mouse button".
>They just don't like the sound of "you"--they say it's too casual or
>familiar.
>
>But some of you are saying it works. What's a newbie like me to do?! I
>don't want to start a thread like "he/she", so please respond privately,
>particularly those of you who've had to make this decision and choose
>between "you" and phrases like "the user". I want to do what's right without
>doing flavor-of-the-month.
Mitchell Gibbs
Technical Writer
Advantage Software, Inc.
