I am creating a module about drug and alcohol use in the workplace and have had some difficulty on phrasing. Should I use You and Your when talking about effects etc. I don't want to sound like I'm accusing the entire work force of being on crack, but I want the content to be relevant to the individual learners.
It's difficult to give an opinion here without an example of the wording that you are concerned about.
If you mean something like: "If you take crystal meth, you may experience an uncontrollable urge to watch Breaking Bad", as opposed to "Crystal meth users may experience an uncontrollable urge to watch Breaking Bad". Although, the first option is not bad, I would be more inclined to use the second approach as it sounds less accusatory.
Is your course in English? If so, I think it is fine to use "you" and "your," since it is often used in a general sense instead of saying "if one takes crystal meth" which (to my American ears) sounds a bit too formal.
Also, I feel like using "you" makes you feel more connected to the course -- Do you see what I did there? ;)
An example where I was not sure is in a common misconceptions section. With the quote "I'm only harming myself" with the response "You put other people in danger when under the influence of D&A because..."
I thought it sounded as if i'm assuming they are already doing it. As Linda suggested switching to "Drugs and alcohol only affect the people taking them" with a response in a similar style is probably the better option. Even if there is a slight lesser connection between the learner and course.
If your goal is to make users have a personal connection with the content, then I think you HAVE to use "you", but at the same time you'll need to follow the suggestions from others to make sure the content doesn't sound accusatory.
I don't know how you have created your course or to who you are targeting your course. But for me it looks like a perfect moment to introduce a fictive character.
Hi, this is Bob. Bob is on drugs. Therefore Bob is an idiot :D
There's a lot more to using first, second, third perspective than just inserting the words I, you, they.
It's more than just trying to create a personal connection by using 'you.' To make a truly personal connection, use 'you' only during relevant opportunities. In your example:
"I'm only harming myself" with the response "You put other people in danger when under the influence of D&A because..."
'You' don't put anyone in danger. Drug users put people in danger and that's why 'you' need to do whatever. The user may or may not be a drug user and I understand this is where you are asking about the accusatory tone. But you don't need to think of it that way. What is being taught? Drug users do bad things, etc. What needs to be done? 'You' do something, especially if you happen to be a drug user.
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It's difficult to give an opinion here without an example of the wording that you are concerned about.
If you mean something like: "If you take crystal meth, you may experience an uncontrollable urge to watch Breaking Bad", as opposed to "Crystal meth users may experience an uncontrollable urge to watch Breaking Bad". Although, the first option is not bad, I would be more inclined to use the second approach as it sounds less accusatory.
Is your course in English? If so, I think it is fine to use "you" and "your," since it is often used in a general sense instead of saying "if one takes crystal meth" which (to my American ears) sounds a bit too formal.
Also, I feel like using "you" makes you feel more connected to the course -- Do you see what I did there? ;)
Thanks
An example where I was not sure is in a common misconceptions section. With the quote "I'm only harming myself" with the response "You put other people in danger when under the influence of D&A because..."
I thought it sounded as if i'm assuming they are already doing it. As Linda suggested switching to "Drugs and alcohol only affect the people taking them" with a response in a similar style is probably the better option. Even if there is a slight lesser connection between the learner and course.
Another option would be to use the conditional and say, "If you use drugs and alcohol, you could put other people in danger..."
If your goal is to make users have a personal connection with the content, then I think you HAVE to use "you", but at the same time you'll need to follow the suggestions from others to make sure the content doesn't sound accusatory.
I would use you - Did you know? or have you ever seen? .... bla, bla bla,. You doesn't have to be accusatory.
I don't know how you have created your course or to who you are targeting your course.
But for me it looks like a perfect moment to introduce a fictive character.
Hi, this is Bob. Bob is on drugs. Therefore Bob is an idiot :D
Yep +1 for the You and Yours. It makes it more personal and as the content is written for me
Bob might be on drugs but he might not be a idiot. There are Lots of different reasons why people use and become addicted.
There's a lot more to using first, second, third perspective than just inserting the words I, you, they.
It's more than just trying to create a personal connection by using 'you.' To make a truly personal connection, use 'you' only during relevant opportunities. In your example:
"I'm only harming myself" with the response "You put other people in danger when under the influence of D&A because..."
'You' don't put anyone in danger. Drug users put people in danger and that's why 'you' need to do whatever. The user may or may not be a drug user and I understand this is where you are asking about the accusatory tone. But you don't need to think of it that way. What is being taught? Drug users do bad things, etc. What needs to be done? 'You' do something, especially if you happen to be a drug user.
Maybe, but Bob is a fictional character created by Jacob.
@Walter: I totally agree with you! I don't think people will feel like they are being accused of being drug users.
In the end I went for the conditional as you suggested Allison. Best of both worlds imo.
Great! Glad I could help. :)
I wouldn't use these words. I would keep it to a third party...like " if people use crystal meth..they may experience...."
Listen to the force, George. Your misgivings, misplaced are not.
Hi George, I'm with Jacob on this, use ficticous characters. The you don't have to bother about phrasing.
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