Showing posts with label content. Show all posts
Showing posts with label content. Show all posts

Monday, February 20, 2012

Writing You, Your, They, Their - What's Best?

When you're writing articles for web content use, it is suggested you don't write in first person.  That means no "I" stories.  Of course, if your blog is personal in nature you may.

Another tip is to use "we" loosely.  Apparently, once you personalize your piece, you turn a few readers away. 

Generalizing for a wide audience is best. 

Using "you" is good.

It is also best if you don't use the term "one", such as in this sentence:
  • When going to the hair stylist, one might decide to bring his own shampoo.

There are ways to work around that.  Use the word "person" or "people", for instance:
  • When going to the hair stylist a person may want to bring his own shampoo.
  • When going to the hair stylist people may choose to bring their own shampoo.

Change the sentence around even more:
  • You may want to bring your own shampoo when you go to the hair stylist.
  • When you go to the hair stylist, you may want to bring your own shampoo.
  • Clients may want to bring their own shampoo when they go to their hair stylist.
Using He or She

Now, the problem with the sentence above that used "person" also required the term "his" or "her".  (If you say a person, it is never "their".)

You can, however, use "their" or "they" in a similar way as "you", if used correctly.  Example:  Whenever you visit the veterinarian, always thank him; he studied hard to get where he is.  OR  When you visit veterinarians, always thank them; they studied hard to get where they are.