Re: Grammar Q

[Janice Gelb <Janice -dot- Gelb -at- Sun -dot- COM>]

Lauren wrote:
> I provided an example for how I think about the use of second-person in
> writing.  I realize that I don't "think" like other people; however, the
> purpose of my example was to illustrate that an audience-centered document
> is not necessarily received by a specific "you."  
> 
> For me, it is rude to state "you" in a non-conversational document.  I see
> it as being rude like pointing a finger at a person.  I haven't seen a
> reason for when the word "you" should be used that would change my mind
> about this.  To state "you" as part of a procedure is to direct a person to
> do something.  To write procedures as imperatives is still a direction, but
> the direction is not specifically at the reader as though the reader is
> being told personally to do something.  Imperatives state what to do and can
> demonstrate how to do something.  Directing the reader to personally do
> something is bossy, while a non-directed imperative sounds more helpful and
> is (or should be) directed to a person's role.
> 

As far as I can tell, you have not responded to any specifics
in anyone's replies. You've just repeated your idiosyncratic
reasoning. That makes back-and-forth conversation rather
difficult so I think we should probably end the discussion here.

-- Janice

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Janice Gelb          | The only connection Sun has with
janice -dot- gelb -at- sun -dot- com  | this message is the return address

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