Writers Circle Newsletter August 15 05

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edited by Vivian

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Weekly Editor’s Letter

Numbers, Numbers, and More Numbers

         When I taught English and composition and newspaper, yearbook, and literary magazine, I had to be aware of which hat I was wearing in which class. The rules for writing agreed in most instances, but a few were different, such as when to write numbers in figures and when to spell them out in words.

         Generally, in literary writing, numbers under 100 were spelled-out, and in journalistic writing, numbers under 10 were. Now, though, I’m seeing numbers presented in all kinds of ways. Therefore, I decided to see if “rules” had been changed. In the August issue of The Writer magazine, I found a whole article on numerals titled “Number know-how.”

         ”But what difference how numbers are presented?” I can hear someone asking.

          The answer is professionalism. We need our writings to appear as professional as possible if we want editors to consider our written words seriously.

         Arthur Plotnik states, in the issue of The Writer, “Most style conventions serve economy, emphasis and clarity (through consistency). That, in turn, serves readers,” when speaking of the syntax of writing numbers. He gives points in the article addressing when to use figures and when to spell-out numbers:

1. Focus on your genre. The main points are found in the style manual a publisher follows. Therefore we need to be familiar with the publisher we want our work to impress.

2. Use common sense. Wow! Now that’s an unusual concept. Figures are easier to follow in statistics, measurements and paragraphs filled with numbers. Spelled-out numbers give “texture to literary passages, including dialogue.” However, if spelled-out numbers become awkward, reverting to figures is a matter of common sense. For example, 160,00 is easier on the reader than one hundred sixty-thousand.

3. Leave the finest points to editors. Just be consistent in your usage.

4. Get a feel for the literary style. Generally, numbers that can be expressed in one or two words should be spelled out: five hundred, twenty-six. Many literary publishers put numbers over 100 in figures, but they also have many exceptions.

          If in a series of numbers, some need to be in figures, then all should be in figures: 16,000 reporters, 99 authors, and 16 editors.

          When spelled-out numbers are one after the other, the first word or the longest should be replaced with figures: ten 220-paged books or two hundred 15-paged copies.

         Fractions more or less follow the spelled-out rule unless doing so would be unwieldy. The author gave two examples in the article: thirty-three-hundredths complete; a 3 3/4-inch-thick manuscript.

          Exceptions to the literary style include percentages and time, such as 2 percent, 2.5 percent, 7:30 a.m. (exception to time: half past five in the evening, a quarter after one, six o’clock), July 28, 1943 (but July twenty-eighth in dialogue).

5. Know the 10-and-above journalistic rule. Usually 10 and above are in figures in journalistic items. For millions and above, though, figures and words are mixed: 10 million; $5 million.

          Numbers that begin a sentence (except a year date) are spelled out. However, for big numbers, sentences should be reworded to avoid starting with a number.

         Don’t use and or commas in spelled-out numbers: One hundred ninety-six couples renewed their vows last year.

6. Heed a few matters of form. The two-word numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine are always hyphenated.

          Plural figures and spelled-out numbers rarely have an apostrophe before the s.

          Editors will often boil when reading “from 1941-1945,” since the word “to” should be used with “from,” or the dates and a hyphen should be used alone: He lived from 1919 to 1989; he lived 1919-1989.

A final grammar note for writers

          If a writer does not first master the rules of grammar, he won’t get very far as a writer. A book that all grammar-deprived people should buy is How Not to Write: The Essential Misrules of Grammar by William Safire, published by W.W. Norton & Co.

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Featured Works From Non-Members:

         The following items have numberals used in the body of the writing or in the title and brief description:

How I rate and review...  (E) What the numbers mean to me. #987067 by Kerik / Ed Almighty

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #983256 by Not Available.

         The next four items have numbers spelled-out:

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #819916 by Not Available.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #981987 by Not Available.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #886974 by Not Available.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #834841 by Not Available.

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Quote:

"The best way to improve your fiction: Revise! Revise! Revise!"

This week's quote was contributed by Sam MCarver, author of the John Darnell mystery novels.

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Recommended Reading and Forums:

         Since I couldn't find any items from Writers Circle members to go with my topic, I decided to spotlight some of the members in this section. Please visit the ports of the following people.

Alex Elizabeth

ElaineElaine

Reannon

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You are invited to submit suggestions to the Writers' Circle editors. To submit an item for consideration in the WC newsletter:

WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions  [E] #641406 WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here! by Red Writing Hood <3

All comments about this and any WC newsletter are welcome.

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Issue # 186
08/15/2005
Edited by: Vivian
Rate this newsletter here: "Writers Circle Newsletter August 15 05"