Commit 6dd2c6ea authored by Evan Read's avatar Evan Read

Merge branch 'msj-docs-style-latin' into 'master'

Update docs style guide to recommend avoiding Latin phrases

Closes technical-writing#77

See merge request gitlab-org/gitlab!21046
parents 696aa40b 7ff4df0c
...@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ Do not include the same information in multiple places. [Link to a SSOT instead. ...@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ Do not include the same information in multiple places. [Link to a SSOT instead.
- Use inclusive language and avoid jargon, as well as uncommon - Use inclusive language and avoid jargon, as well as uncommon
words. The docs should be clear and easy to understand. words. The docs should be clear and easy to understand.
- Write in the 3rd person (use "we," "you," "us," "one," instead of "I" or "me"). - Do not write in the first person singular. Instead of "I" or "me," use "we," "you," "us," or "one."
- Be clear, concise, and stick to the goal of the doc. - Be clear, concise, and stick to the goal of the doc.
- Write in US English with US grammar. - Write in US English with US grammar.
- Capitalize "G" and "L" in GitLab. - Capitalize "G" and "L" in GitLab.
...@@ -230,18 +230,23 @@ Do not include the same information in multiple places. [Link to a SSOT instead. ...@@ -230,18 +230,23 @@ Do not include the same information in multiple places. [Link to a SSOT instead.
"Create a new merge request for Z." "Create a new merge request for Z."
- Avoid use of the future tense: - Avoid use of the future tense:
- Instead of, "After you execute this command, the result will be displayed," say "After you execute this command, the result is displayed." - Instead of "after you execute this command, GitLab will display the result", use "after you execute this command, GitLab displays the result".
- Only use the future tense to convey when the action or result will actually occur at a future time. - Only use the future tense to convey when the action or result will actually occur at a future time.
- Do not use contractions: - Do not use contractions:
- Instead of "don't," "can't," "doesn't," and so on, say "do not," "cannot," or "does not." - Instead of "don't," "can't," "doesn't," and so on, use "do not," "cannot," or "does not."
- Possible exceptions are cases when a more familiar tone is desired, such as a blog post or other casual context. - Possible exceptions are cases when a more familiar tone is desired, such as a blog post or other casual context.
- Do not use slashes to clump different words together or as a replacement for the word "or": - Do not use slashes to clump different words together or as a replacement for the word "or":
- Instead of "and/or," consider saying "or," or use another sensible construction. - Instead of "and/or," consider using "or," or use another sensible construction.
- Other examples include "clone/fetch," author/assignee," and "namespace/repository name." Break apart any such instances in an appropriate way. - Other examples include "clone/fetch," author/assignee," and "namespace/repository name." Break apart any such instances in an appropriate way.
- Exceptions to this rule include commonly accepted technical terms such as CI/CD, TCP/IP, and so on. - Exceptions to this rule include commonly accepted technical terms such as CI/CD, TCP/IP, and so on.
- Do not use "may" and "might" interchangeably: - Do not use "may" and "might" interchangeably:
- Use "might" to indicate the probability of something occurring. "If you skip this step, the import process might fail." - Use "might" to indicate the probability of something occurring. "If you skip this step, the import process might fail."
- Use "may" to indicate giving permission for someone to do something, or consider using "can" instead. "You may select either option on this screen." Or, "you can select either option on this screen." - Use "may" to indicate giving permission for someone to do something, or consider using "can" instead. "You may select either option on this screen." Or, "you can select either option on this screen."
- We recommend avoiding Latin abbreviations, such as "e.g.," "i.e.," or "etc.,"
as even native users of English might misunderstand them.
- Instead of "i.e.", use "that is."
- Instead of "e.g.", use "for example."
- Instead of "etc.", either use "and so on" or consider editing it out, since it can be vague.
## Text ## Text
......
Markdown is supported
0%
or
You are about to add 0 people to the discussion. Proceed with caution.
Finish editing this message first!
Please register or to comment