CBID2
commented
1 year ago If possible, I'd love to work on this issue @LauraDSchneider! :)
Open LauraDSchneider opened 2 years ago
CBID2
commented
1 year ago If possible, I'd love to work on this issue @LauraDSchneider! :)
Hello Microsoft,
Please note conflicting guidance that should be updated to modern times (global English, global economy, global everything: it's a small world) for improved readability by all.
This advice, specifically, is outdated:
"When a phrase ending with a colon introduces a bulleted list:
1) I recommend deleting this, or better yet specifically say to never do this: use a phrase with a colon followed by list items that complete the phrase. It's confusing enough for native English speakers and anyone skimming text to quickly obtain information. Each bullet point must be a complete sentence, as must lead-ins to lists, to make a text readable, scannable, and readily comprehensible by all readers in all languages with all abilities/disabilities.
2) That advice specifically contradicts your advice on https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/global-communications/writing-tips:
"Limit your use of sentence fragments. Sentence fragments can be hard to translate."
I completely agree. Fragments are just plain wrong. I also know that removing fragments, particularly avoiding lead-in list fragments like this, is a main concept in both of the global/international English reference books cited at the bottom of your Global communications main page (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/global-communications/), by Kohl and Weiss.
John Kohl's book is particularly against this, and he has SAS (Statistical Analysis Software) Inc.'s research behind it. (One of my favorite reference books, written by a former co-worker of mine who still owes me his draft 2nd edition...)
--Laura Schneider
I'm a 30-year veteran tech writer/editor and Microsoft Style fan.
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