RE: Procedural syntax: "Click to expand" vs. "Expand by clicking"

["Dubin, David" <David -dot- Dubin -at- sage -dot- com>]

Personally, I like [A] because it is in active voice. I am strongly against
the flagrant use of passive voice in technical communications. Since most
technical communications with regard to software and/or hardware is designed
to instruct the user how to do something, I believe it is best to speak to
the user/learner in the same voice as you would if he/she were in front of
you.

David B. Dubin, PHR 
Senior Curriculum Developer 
Sage Software 
727-579-1111 x 3356
david -dot- dubin -at- sage -dot- com
Your business in mind.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+david -dot- dubin=sage -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+david -dot- dubin=sage -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf
Of Yves Barbion
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 8:21 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Procedural syntax: "Click to expand" vs. "Expand by clicking"

Hello techwhirlers,

just wondering, which do you prefer (and why):

[A] Click the plus sign to expand the folder.

OR

[B] Expand the folder by clicking the plus sign.

Any references to style guides, maybe? I checked the Microsoft Style 
Guide for Technical Pubs (Procedural syntax) but did not really find an 
answer there.


-- 
Yves Barbion Technical Writer
Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor
Technical writer
____________________________________




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