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.
More extra words to remove:
- Select an [existing] item ... // Everything that a user can in fact use, exists.
// Better to be specific and name the item.
- Select the [desired] item ... // Why would anyone make an undesirable choice?
- [You must] select... // There's no moral imperative when operating SW :-)
- [If you want] to change... // Why make a change conditional?
- See also x [, for more information about x].
- To restrict [certain] user[s] from... // Uncertain users? :-) How about writing "a" instead?
- Select x [at any time]. // Well, not while I'm asleep...
And so on. One gets the feeling that a writer using such
extra words is trying to be stylish, insistent or helpful,
yet fails miserably.
For more on "simply", Stephen King talks about adverbs
and bad writing in _On Writing_.
Cheers,
YJ
Peter Sturgeon <prsturgeon -at- yahoo -dot- com> a écrit :
No benefit at all is derived from its presence
"Simply" is often code for something that will turn out to be anything but simple to the reader. My grade 12 math teacher used to use it just before my eyes would glaze over.
----- Original Message ----
From: Chris Borokowski
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 12:58:46 PM
Subject: Simply
What benefit is derived from this extra word?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
