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: consistency in terminology From:Jean Weber <jean -at- wrevenge -dot- com -dot- au> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 17 May 2000 12:47:08 +1000
At 12:56 5/16/00 -0300, Etienne Cornu <etienne -at- chamblon -dot- com> asked:
>>... what kind of method can you use to ensure consistency? Does anyone
here have any experience or suggestion?<<
Two suggestions.
1) Compile a list of preferred terms to use in specific contexts. You might
also list words to avoid, cross-referenced to the preferred terms or to the
contexts in which those words should be used (because the slightly
different meaning *is* significant). Then search through your document for
the words you listed, checking to see whether you've used them
appropriately or not.
2) Hire an experienced technical editor to read through the docs and spot
the inconsistencies, among other things. She'll probably come up with a
list of terms you missed in step 1, so you can continue adding to your list.
If you have more than one writer working on a project, using the services
of an editor is particularly helpful. Many technical editors work
freelance, so if you don't have enough output to justify someone on staff
all the time, you can still take advantage of their skills.
