RE: Grammar Question

["Lauren" <lt34 -at- csus -dot- edu>]

A general and valid, assumption about readers of English sentences
(regardless of native language) is that they will be able to read at the 7th
grade level and understand a simple composition of an English sentence.  In
this case, the sentence, according to Word, has a Flesch Reading Ease of
100% and a Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level of 1.5.  I would not expect that a
technical writer would post a grammar question to this forum for an audience
that cannot read at the second grade level.

Additionally, adding "will" to the sentence raises the grade level to 1.8
because of the addition of a word.  Adding "will" and qualifying "it" by
stating instead, "the picture," raises the grade level to 3 and lowers the
reading ease. 

Even non-native English speakers should be able to read at the second grade
level.  In some cases, words and an phrases that are simple for native
English speakers may require adjustment for non-native English speakers, but
when the sentence is composed for a second grader, then we can assume that a
non-native English speaker will, or should, understand it.

Lauren
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On 
> Behalf Of Eddie Hollon
> Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 11:32 PM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Grammar Question
> 
> >Lauren wrote: 
> >This sentence is very simple and is fine the way it
> is. A very complex sentence may need additional
> clarification.
> 
> 
> Quick, what's the golden rule of technical
> communication..."Know your audience?"
> 
> The responses to this sentence are examples of how we
> forget to take a good look at our readers. Raj says
> it's necessary, Lauren says it's not, Ned says maybe,
> but nobody suggests that the audience is the key to
> the proper usage.
> 
> If your audience is made up of average, native English
> speakers, then you've got no problems with the current
> version. But, what if you're going to translate it or
> expect non-native English speakers to interpret it on
> their own? Don't count on the translation coming
> across clean in every language - taken separately,
> "will draw" and "write" are two different verb tenses.
> Regardless of how clear we think the implication is in
> English, it may not be clear to the audience. Unless
> you remove the ambiguity, you take the risk that the
> meaning could get lost in translation.
> 
> Audience is king...only when you define your readers
> can you bank on having the right answer.
> 
> Eddie Hollon
> Suwon, South Korea 
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.