I hope you enjoyed the assignment I gave you this weekend to observe people and see how you could use what you learn to enhance your writing. Let me know how it went.
I worked a yard sale, so had a lot of opportunity to observe people and talk to people. I actually walked away with some new article ideas. I’ll tell you about them once they have been accepted for publication.
My Holiday Gift to You
I am still accepting your requests for which of my online courses you would take if it was offered for FREE. Get the list here and check out what each course involves: http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm.
Numerals Versus Written Numbers
I made a discovery today that will most likely be of value to all of you who read this blog. Some years ago, my research led me to believe that, while most numbers under ninety-nine should be written out, those 100 and over should be in numerals. One exception, I was told (and my research backed this up) was age. Age, I learned, was to be represented in numerals—“He is 3-years-old,” “She turned 28 yesterday,” etc.
Over time, this “rule” of mine was questioned and I began to question it. I have both the Chicago Manual of Style on my desk and The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual. Since I write mostly for publication, as opposed to journalistic style, I use the Chicago Manual for most of my research and referencing. And I could never find any mention in this book as to how age is represented in text. However, the AP book strictly says that age is represented by numerals. But what is the rule for books—publishing?
Recently, it became a controversial discussion in SPAWNDiscuss (the SPAWN discussion group). One member, a respected editor, said that if it is not among the exceptions listed over twenty pages in the Chicago Manual of Style, it is the rule. This means that age is represented by writing out the numbers up to ninety-nine. If someone is 103, you use numerals. Made sense to me.
Then this morning, I found an example and proof that this editor is correct and that I have been incorrect (except within the realm of journalistic style). I found, on page 464 of the newest edition of the Manual of Style (16th), this sentence: “Many people think that seventy is too young to retire.” There it is—age spelled out. How did I miss it before? Maybe it was not in the 15th edition and I can’t double check it because I sold that book at the yard sale yesterday.
What guide to you follow when you have questions such as this? Are you consistent in how you use numbers in your text? One of the most important rules of writing for publication is to be consistent. But it is also wise to be consistently correct.
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