Re: Capitalization in lists

Subject: Re: Capitalization in lists
From: Janice Gelb <Janice -dot- Gelb -at- Sun -dot- COM>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:04:04 +1100

On Jan 28, 2010 3:55AM, Deborah Hemstreet wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Is there a definitive methodology for capitalizing the first word in lists?
>
> For example,
>
> This is used to
> 1. eat a cat
> 2. kill a mouse, or
> 3. ride a horse.
>
> vs
>
> This is used for:
> 1. eating cats.
> 2. killing mice.
> 3. riding horses.
>
> vs.
>
> Use this to:
> 1. Eat a cat
> 2. Kill a mouse
> 3. Ride a horse
>
> -------------------------------
>
> Are all of the above correct? My mind has gone blank....
>

As others have said, this is largely a matter
of style. However, I do want to mention in case
your docs are translated that our localization
people have told us not to break infinitives
across a list introduction because many languages
do not use that construct and it can therefore
cause difficulties.Therefore, they prefer
something like:

Use this feature for the following actions:
* Eating cats
* Killing mice
* Riding horses

Cheers,
Janice

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Follow-Ups:

References:
RE: A classic warning sign...: From: Monique Semp
Fonts for translation: From: Chinell, David F (GE EntSol, Security)
Capitalization in lists: From: Deborah Hemstreet

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