Write Your Technical Documents with Consistent Voice and Mood

Technical Writing Tips

Technical writing is consistent writing, whether you’re writing software or marketing specs.
Your sentences need to be consistent in

Voice
Mood
Case
Tense
Style

If you end your sentences with the same mood, voice and tense that you start them with, the battle is already won. [Which rule did this sentence violate already?]

Table of Contents

Technique 1) Write with a consistent VOICE

If you start with active voice, end with active voice; or vice versa.

EXAMPLE: “I’d like to complain [ACTIVE] but I’m not allowed [PASSIVE] to criticize the Board.”
BETTER: “I’d like to complain [ACTIVE] but the club rules don’t allow [ACTIVE] me to criticize the Board.”

Technique 2) Write in a consistent MOOD

Stick to the same mood from one clause to another, or start a new sentence.

EXAMPLE: “Work hard [IMPERATIVE] and that’s how you’ll become successful [INDICATIVE].”
BETTER 1: “Work hard [IMPERATIVE] and achieve success [IMPERATIVE].”
BETTER 2: “Work hard [IMPERATIVE]. That’s the formula for success [INDICATIVE in a new sentence].”