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

[Craig Haiss <craighaiss -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

How about...

[C] To expand the folder, click the plus sign.

That way the goal is clearly stated before the
procedure, so that the user can decide whether they
want to complete the task. Also, the gerund is
eliminated, so the sentence sounds less passive.


--- Yves Barbion <yves -dot- barbion -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:

> 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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Craig Haiss - http://techwritingtips.blogspot.com/

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