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Microsoft® Manual of Style, Fourth Edition
book

Microsoft® Manual of Style, Fourth Edition

by Microsoft Corporation
January 2012
Beginner
464 pages
14h 4m
English
Microsoft Press
Content preview from Microsoft® Manual of Style, Fourth Edition

Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is attributing human characteristics or behavior to things that are not human. In technical writing there is an understandable temptation to anthropomorphize in order to make difficult material easier for the reader to relate to. Do not succumb to this temptation.

Because anthropomorphism is a form of metaphor, it can cause the same readability problems as other forms of metaphor. Not all readers will grasp the limits of the metaphor. Further, anthropomorphic metaphors may be interpreted differently by people from different cultures.

Anthropomorphism in technical writing is often the result of an imprecise or incomplete understanding of the topic at hand. While anthropomorphism may help you work toward a clearer ...

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9780735669833Purchase book