Shouldstyle
Shouldstyle is a term used in technical writing and knowledge-management contexts to describe a writing approach that emphasizes prescriptive guidance. In shouldstyle, statements convey recommended actions or required behavior using modals such as should, must, or ought to, with the goal of reducing ambiguity and improving user compliance.
The term arose in discussions of documentation style in the 2010s and 2020s as a descriptive shorthand
Core features of shouldstyle include explicit prescriptions, a consistent voice and tense, clear scope and exceptions,
Shouldstyle appears in a range of materials such as API references, installation guides, safety instructions, and
Reception to shouldstyle is mixed. Proponents argue that it improves clarity and compliance, especially in procedural
See also: normative language, style guide, technical writing, policy documentation.