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.
Subject:Re: Grammar Question: Ensure or Make From:"Huber, Mike" <Mike -dot- Huber -at- SOFTWARE -dot- ROCKWELL -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 27 Oct 1995 10:22:38 -0400
I would use "Make sure" because of my rule about simple, everyday words
being preferable.
As to there being a special style for Windows products - look
at the competition and analyze your audience, and the question
becomes moot.
----------
From: William.Hartzer[SMTP:William -dot- Hartzer -at- EMC2-TAO -dot- FISC -dot- COM]
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 1995 5:41 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list TEC
Subject: Grammar Question: Ensure or Make
Hi!
It seems that I came across a little dispute about some grammar in some
documentation I am working on for a Windows software product. One
developer
says that I should use the term 'MAKE SURE' and another insists that I
use
'ENSURE' in the following sentence. And still another insists that there
is a
specific type of writing style that must be used when documenting a
Windows PC
software product.
Should I use:
"Make sure that you are off-line prior to selecting this option."
OR
"Ensure that you are off-line prior to selecting this option."
Also, is there such a thing as a writing style that must be used whenever
Windows PC software products are being documented? This developer claims
that this Windows PC software product writing style is MUCH different
than the
writing style I'm supposed to use when documenting an IBM Mainframe
product
or even a Macintosh software product.
What do you think? Let me know via private e-mail about the grammar
question,
but I think the 'writing style' topic is appropriate for posting to the
whole
list.
Regards,
Bill Hartzer
Technical Writer
Fischer International Systems Corporation
Naples, Florida USA
<William -dot- Hartzer -at- EMC2-TAO -dot- FISC -dot- COM>
"The Mac is NOT a toy."
