You Can Not


When writing support documentation, do not start sentences with “You can”.

For example, avoid “You can select your primary number from the dropdown menu”.

Make it action-oriented: “Select your primary number from the dropdown menu”. Make it a command. An imperative. Plain English is your friend.

Sometimes it is not as obvious as my example, but look for ways to dispose of the words “You can”.

Lots of reasons why, but the top two are this:

  • Of course your customer can do it, but don’t make them think about whether they should. Just tell them. They are reading a help article already looking for ways they “can” do something.
  • “You can” implies ambiguity. Avoid ambiguity like the plague.

Action-based language, like our military and law enforcement uses, is the spirit we want to use for technical documentation. (Tutorials allow for broader range).

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Ava Reed is the passionate and insightful blogger behind our coaching platform. With a deep commitment to personal and professional development, Ava brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our coaching programs.

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