All, I am hoping the fellow writers on this list can provide some information for this request. Another writer here at Jeppesen and I have always used the following syntax for a conditional/causal statement: If <blah, blah>, then <blah, blah>. We have a new editor that just joined who is in the process of defining our styles and standards. Obviously, everyone has an opinion about what is "right" and what is "wrong" in editing . . .in many cases, it's so subjective. That said, when we have our editorial meetings about defining our styles and standards, you need to be prepared with some factual support for a certain type of style or standard - not just the emotional "because we've always done it this way." Years ago, I had such a reference for writing if/then statements this way - I don't remember which manual I referenced. Our new editor wants to add the word "and" to such statements - if <blah, blah>, AND then <blah, blah>. Both I and the other writer disagree with the editor on this one - it should be just if/then - no "and." I have tried for the life of me to find a documentation reference that would support this syntax (something like Sun's Read Me First guide, etc), and although I know I had one in the past, I can't find it now. Googling only leads me to programming references - the thin thread here would be since we are writing software documentation, if/then, would make sense, since that's where the if/then statement syntax was developed, but. . . .
Any and all references/advice would be much appreciated. TIA, TVB Tammy Van Boening Senior Technical Writer Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc. 303-328-4420 tammy.vanboening at jeppesen.com