I recognize the need for a style guide. I'm horrified when my clients don't have a basic one, like what they call their institution on second mention within the copy or how they list names (degrees after the name or Dr. X?). But, I have a gripe with the worshipped AP Style guide. A gripe with the numbers thing.
Anyone who's ever read the most basic article on Web writing knows that people/users scan websites for information. If this is true then why are we still writing one for 1, and two for 2, etc. on websites? Doesn't it make sense to use numerals?
Here's the perfect example that I'm writing right now:
(The name of the client has been deleted to protect the innocent, namely me)Blank program has more than 25 board-certified physicians in eight locations throughout Central state....
Why not just say 8 locations? Faster to scan, faster to read, faster to compute. They have 8 locations to serve me. Not eight. 8.
Ok, I'm done ranting. Anyone else behind my desire to get this rule changed? Maybe the Yahoo! style guide will have a different opinion. According to Amazon, I should get my copy today.
And in case you're wondering, that is a picture of The Totally Stylin' Tattoos Barbie.
Don't just hate on AP Stylebook. Although Chicago Manual of Style is more flexible on this, the general rule is to spell out single-digit numbers as well. I haven't checked out the Yahoo! Style Guide yet -- let your readers know what you find.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. I'm not saying they're all bad. I'm just saying that they need to move with the times.
ReplyDeleteWhen was the last time they updated?
ReplyDeleteChicago 16 is coming out soon! I am overly excited.
Agreed! Especially awkward when you have to write "five to 10." Doesn't that look funny?
ReplyDelete