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Other Added - New Technical Writer - Don't Confuse Your Reader with Your Words
Credit cards have facilitated so many advantages to people that it sometimes take so much imagination to think what would happen if there were no credit cards. It surely is one of the top ranked inventions of the modern times. Its total worth can be understood by the people who use them.However, it is not all that rosy for all the people. People often get trapped by using these cards and end up paying more than their share. This can lead to accumulating of debts and also many other difficulties.The best way to deal with the credit card payments for people who use single or
TIP: Be suspicious of any words your spelling checker identifies. Ask yourself two questions when your spelling checker identifies a misspelled word:
* Did I really spell that word incorrectly?
* If it's spelled correctly, am I certain that my Reader knows what the word (or acronym) means? If it's not in the spelling checker's dictionary it might not be in your Reader's vocabulary.
DON'T BE AMBIGUOUS
I have a notebook computer running MS Windows XP. If I am using the Media Player and I press the keys to hibernate the computer (put it into an energy-saving sleep state), something warn
Is your current or most recent job truly what you want to do?Do you dread the prospect of coming into work every day? Do you look back on your work day as you travel home and cannot seem to find a fulfilling moment? If you answered yes, read on.You could be unhappy with your supervisor; you may not like the politics or corporate culture; or you may not like the industry you are in. You may also feel that you are underpaid, underutilized, undervalued or unappreciated. You may not have sufficient opportunities for career advancement; or perhaps you are feeling overworked.
Stop confusing your Reader with the words you use. Your Reader is trying his/her best to understand how your product works without having to figure out your writing. Here are some writing guidelines to help you stop baffling your Reader.
SAME CONCEPT: SAME WORDS
User Documents are not meant to be entertaining. Do not try to be creative, especially by using synonyms for specific concepts in your product. When you talk about a topic use the exact same wording to describe (or name) the topic everywhere in your User Document.
For example, the "Same Concept: Same Words" guideline, says that if there is a control on your product called the "Activation Button," then everywhere you talk about that button use the term "Activation Button."
Don't be "creative" and use words like "Activation Control" or "Start Control" to refer to the "Activation Button." Using the different wordings forces your Reader to have to stop and think "Is this the same thing as 'Activation Button'?"
DIFFERENT CONCEPTS: DIFFERENT WORDS
I bought something on the Internet that had a rebate available for it. When I ordered the product, I was given a "Tracking Number" to monitor the progress of my order. This is common for orders from large companies.
When I applied for the rebate, the rebate company used the same word, "Tracking Number," but this time it meant "their rebate tracking number." When their website asked for "tracking number" I entered the only one that I knew, the product ordering tracking number. I was wrong; the rebate number was a totally different thing.
The Rebate number is different from the order tracking number and should have a very different name from the order tracking number.
One might argue that "the rebate company is a separate company, and must handle rebates for all sorts of sellers." Sure, but they can use a very specific name for their rebate tracking number. They can call it the "Rebate Identification Number." That name would not be used by any selling company to track an order. The problem is solved. No User would confuse "Tracking Number" with "Rebate Identification Number."
QUIZ
Given the information in the previous two sections of this Article, wouldn't it be really silly if the rebate company originally called it the "Rebate Identification Number" and then unannounced switched to calling it the "Rebate ID"? Answer: Yes, it would be very silly. The change forces the Reader to have to ask, "Is this the same thing as the 'Rebate Identification Number'?"
It's not that your Reader is too stupid or lazy to figure out what you mean. It's that your Reader has better things to do than to decipher your writing.
WORDS YOUR READER DOESN'T KNOW
Jargon is the shortcut language of any industry. Make sure that if you use jargon in your User Document, you explain what it means. If the writing project can afford the bit of time, I recommend that you include a glossary in your User Document. Define all the jargon, acronyms, and words that you might use in ways your Reader might not expect. A great example of the latter are "debit" and "credit." The common understanding of these words is exactly opposite to those in the accounting (banking) profession.
TIP: Be suspicious of any words your spelling checker identifies. Ask yourself two questions when your spelling checker identifies a misspelled word:
* Did I really spell that word incorrectly?
* If it's spelled correctly, am I certain that my Reader knows what the word (or acronym) means? If it's not in the spelling checker's dictionary it might not be in your Reader's vocabulary.
DON'T BE AMBIGUOUS
I have a notebook computer running MS Windows XP. If I am using the Media Player and I press the keys to hibernate the computer (put it into an energy-saving sleep state), something warn
Even though apartment insurance is relatively inexpensive, you want to get the best rate you can. Here's how to get a cheap rate with a reliable company.What is apartment insurance?Apartment insurance, also called renters insurance, will pay to replace your personal property if it's stolen, or damaged by vandalism, fire, smoke, lightning, and other causes. It also provides you with personal liability coverage in the event someone is injured while visiting you.Apartment insurance does not cover damage cause by floods or earthquakes, so if you live in a flood or
DIFFERENT CONCEPTS: DIFFERENT WORDS
I bought something on the Internet that had a rebate available for it. When I ordered the product, I was given a "Tracking Number" to monitor the progress of my order. This is common for orders from large companies.
When I applied for the rebate, the rebate company used the same word, "Tracking Number," but this time it meant "their rebate tracking number." When their website asked for "tracking number" I entered the only one that I knew, the product ordering tracking number. I was wrong; the rebate number was a totally different thing.
The Rebate number is different from the order tracking number and should have a very different name from the order tracking number.
One might argue that "the rebate company is a separate company, and must handle rebates for all sorts of sellers." Sure, but they can use a very specific name for their rebate tracking number. They can call it the "Rebate Identification Number." That name would not be used by any selling company to track an order. The problem is solved. No User would confuse "Tracking Number" with "Rebate Identification Number."
QUIZ
Given the information in the previous two sections of this Article, wouldn't it be really silly if the rebate company originally called it the "Rebate Identification Number" and then unannounced switched to calling it the "Rebate ID"? Answer: Yes, it would be very silly. The change forces the Reader to have to ask, "Is this the same thing as the 'Rebate Identification Number'?"
It's not that your Reader is too stupid or lazy to figure out what you mean. It's that your Reader has better things to do than to decipher your writing.
WORDS YOUR READER DOESN'T KNOW
Jargon is the shortcut language of any industry. Make sure that if you use jargon in your User Document, you explain what it means. If the writing project can afford the bit of time, I recommend that you include a glossary in your User Document. Define all the jargon, acronyms, and words that you might use in ways your Reader might not expect. A great example of the latter are "debit" and "credit." The common understanding of these words is exactly opposite to those in the accounting (banking) profession.
TIP: Be suspicious of any words your spelling checker identifies. Ask yourself two questions when your spelling checker identifies a misspelled word:
* Did I really spell that word incorrectly?
* If it's spelled correctly, am I certain that my Reader knows what the word (or acronym) means? If it's not in the spelling checker's dictionary it might not be in your Reader's vocabulary.
DON'T BE AMBIGUOUS
I have a notebook computer running MS Windows XP. If I am using the Media Player and I press the keys to hibernate the computer (put it into an energy-saving sleep state), something warn
For several weeks now the stock markets have been in a very good shape right around the globe which must be a very soothing feeling especially for those that are still licking their wounds having to cope with losses.But there’s a flip side to this positive global atmosphere. And that side is pretty dark especially for newbies. What I mean is that more than ever people are being bombarded with investment recommendations that resemble gambling more than anything else! These stock recommendations have absolutely nothing to do with a serious and thoughtful investment.Not only s
The Rebate number is different from the order tracking number and should have a very different name from the order tracking number.
One might argue that "the rebate company is a separate company, and must handle rebates for all sorts of sellers." Sure, but they can use a very specific name for their rebate tracking number. They can call it the "Rebate Identification Number." That name would not be used by any selling company to track an order. The problem is solved. No User would confuse "Tracking Number" with "Rebate Identification Number."
QUIZ
Given the information in the previous two sections of this Article, wouldn't it be really silly if the rebate company originally called it the "Rebate Identification Number" and then unannounced switched to calling it the "Rebate ID"? Answer: Yes, it would be very silly. The change forces the Reader to have to ask, "Is this the same thing as the 'Rebate Identification Number'?"
It's not that your Reader is too stupid or lazy to figure out what you mean. It's that your Reader has better things to do than to decipher your writing.
WORDS YOUR READER DOESN'T KNOW
Jargon is the shortcut language of any industry. Make sure that if you use jargon in your User Document, you explain what it means. If the writing project can afford the bit of time, I recommend that you include a glossary in your User Document. Define all the jargon, acronyms, and words that you might use in ways your Reader might not expect. A great example of the latter are "debit" and "credit." The common understanding of these words is exactly opposite to those in the accounting (banking) profession.
TIP: Be suspicious of any words your spelling checker identifies. Ask yourself two questions when your spelling checker identifies a misspelled word:
* Did I really spell that word incorrectly?
* If it's spelled correctly, am I certain that my Reader knows what the word (or acronym) means? If it's not in the spelling checker's dictionary it might not be in your Reader's vocabulary.
DON'T BE AMBIGUOUS
I have a notebook computer running MS Windows XP. If I am using the Media Player and I press the keys to hibernate the computer (put it into an energy-saving sleep state), something warn
Affiliate marketing has become one of the major sources of earning money online. But it is also a fact that there are many who find it very difficult to make money. There must be something that they do or don’t resulting in them finding it so difficult. We are going to discuss a few simple things you can do as an affiliate marketer to earn good money with ease.Start with creating your own website. Once you have your site, start building an opt-in email list of the visitors that visit your site. Now, use this list to promote your affiliate products.If it’s advertising you ne
It's not that your Reader is too stupid or lazy to figure out what you mean. It's that your Reader has better things to do than to decipher your writing.
WORDS YOUR READER DOESN'T KNOW
Jargon is the shortcut language of any industry. Make sure that if you use jargon in your User Document, you explain what it means. If the writing project can afford the bit of time, I recommend that you include a glossary in your User Document. Define all the jargon, acronyms, and words that you might use in ways your Reader might not expect. A great example of the latter are "debit" and "credit." The common understanding of these words is exactly opposite to those in the accounting (banking) profession.
TIP: Be suspicious of any words your spelling checker identifies. Ask yourself two questions when your spelling checker identifies a misspelled word:
* Did I really spell that word incorrectly?
* If it's spelled correctly, am I certain that my Reader knows what the word (or acronym) means? If it's not in the spelling checker's dictionary it might not be in your Reader's vocabulary.
DON'T BE AMBIGUOUS
I have a notebook computer running MS Windows XP. If I am using the Media Player and I press the keys to hibernate the computer (put it into an energy-saving sleep state), something warn
At some point in your life, you’ve probably met a person who is book smart and people stupid. This person is a valuable company asset, but is kept out of meetings because he or she can’t communicate effectively and doesn’t seem to listen to the ideas of others. He or she is sincere, but knows nothing about etiquette and manners. He or she can be interesting to talk to but has no sense of humor. He or she is very intelligent, but lacks even the most basic social skills.In general, this person makes everyone uneasy and standoffish. In particular this person doesn’t try to establish
TIP: Be suspicious of any words your spelling checker identifies. Ask yourself two questions when your spelling checker identifies a misspelled word:
* Did I really spell that word incorrectly?
* If it's spelled correctly, am I certain that my Reader knows what the word (or acronym) means? If it's not in the spelling checker's dictionary it might not be in your Reader's vocabulary.
DON'T BE AMBIGUOUS
I have a notebook computer running MS Windows XP. If I am using the Media Player and I press the keys to hibernate the computer (put it into an energy-saving sleep state), something warns me that hibernating will lose my place in the video. It then asks: "Do you want to continue? Yes/No." Continue what?: Continue hibernating, or Continue watching the video? It would only take one or two more words to remove the ambiguity.
THE BOTTOM LINE
When you revise your writing, make sure that your Reader does not have to guess what a word might mean. If you mean the same thing as another concept, use the exact same name. If you mean something different, then use as different (unique) a name as you can. Define jargon, acronyms, and any unusually used words. Eliminate ambiguity.
Your reader is uncomfortable enough having to read your User Document, instead of using your product. Don't make things worse by using wording that makes your Reader have to work out its meaning.
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