Writing & Grammar: Name that Mouse Move!

by Jennie Ruby 

In training documents, help menu text and documentation we often find ourselves trying to describe common computer user actions. However, some of the terminology has changed over time, as new software and hardware features have been developed. Our challenge this week is about describing mouse behaviors. In a later article, I will discuss mobile device behaviors. So here is your challenge. Be careful! Times have changed on some of these!

How do you describe these mouse actions?

1. Press and release the left mouse button
2. Press and release the right mouse button
3. Roll the wheel on top of the mouse
4. Quickly press and release the mouse button twice
5. Quickly press and release the mouse button three times
6. Hold the mouse button down and move it from one point to another
7. Put the mouse pointer over an item but do not click
8. Drag the mouse across text so that the text background changes color and you can then format or delete that text
9. Use the highlighter tool to color the background of text
10. Hold down the shift button and click the left mouse button 

Please send your answers directly to me.

Results to Hierarchical List Format

We received many correctly categorized versions of this list, formatted at least 5 different ways. Here is one of my favorites, from Geri A. Moran, who must work with a lot of government regulations or proposals, because this numbering system is heavily redolent of legal document numbering. Perhaps it is the plan for a courtroom building's garden?

1. Shrubs

1.1. Azaleas

1.1.1. White azaleas

1.1.2. Pink azaleas

1.1.3. Red azaleas

1.2. Boxwoods

1.3. Hydrangeas

2. Flowers

2.1. Tulips

2.1.1. Double Early

2.1.2. Single Early

2.1.3. Single Late

2.1.4. Double Late

2.1.5. Darwin

2.1.6. Triumph

2.2. Roses

2.2.1. Tea

2.2.2. Floribunda

2.2.3. Climbing

2.2.4. Damask

Other favorites included this style, from Ann M. Whitfield, for its classic clarity: 

I.  Shrubs

A. Azaleas

1. White azaleas

2. Pink azaleas

3. Red azaleas

B. Boxwoods

C. Hydrangeas

 

An interesting version to me was one submitted by Matt Smith, which illustrates a business-style list. Many government agencies and print publishers have discontinued using the solo closing parentheses like this, for reasons unknown to me, but it still works and looks very clear:

a) Azaleas

i)  White azaleas

ii) Pink azaleas

iii) Red azaleas

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