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Author Topic: Double-spacing between sentences.
Troy
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It's how I learned to type. For me, it is automatic. I can't recall ever reading a submissions guideline that specifically requested double-spacing between sentences -- but recently I've come across a few that specifically say not to.

What's the consensus on this?


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Robert Nowall
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Me, too. I think it's something to do with electronic submissions and all that---which I don't do, usually. Seems an awful lot to ask when you think about it.
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Owasm
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I misunderstood the title and misread the comment.

Double spacing after a sentence is becoming passe, but I am too old to change unless single spacing becomes specified.

Ah, me... the more years you tack on the more outdated you become.

[This message has been edited by Owasm (edited August 18, 2009).]


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Ferris
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I think you will find people who can make arguments on both sides of that issue. However, I have worked in the field of desktop publishing/technical writing for about 15 years now, where the following has been the genral consensus for at least a decade or more:

quote:
It is generally accepted that the practice of putting two spaces at the end of a sentence is a carryover from the days of typewriters with monospaced typefaces. Two spaces, it was believed, made it easier to see where one sentence ended and the next began . . . The use of proportionally spaced type (virtually every computer font you will use) makes two spaces at the end of a sentence unnecessary (if they ever were). The extra spacing is often distracting and unattractive. It creates 'holes' in the middle of a block of text. --About.com, Desktop Publishing

It took me a bit of effort to break myself of the habit of adding the double space at the end of a sentence, but I have not missed it. If you find it too much of a distraction to break yourself of the habit, you can always search for double spaces and replace them with a single space.


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extrinsic
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Double spaces following terminal punctuation has been and continues to be the paper standard for strict adherence to Standard Manuscript Format as well as script formats and other formal formats for documents set in monospaced typefaces. At least weekly in my work, I encounter a situation where an abbreviated word with internal punctuation in the middle of a sentence creates ambiguity without two spaces following terminal punctuation. Often the number abbreviation, No., is the culprit.

The first No. Mr. Smith is the one, Mr. Jones, correct?

Type that's set in a proportioned typeface doesn't leave as much ambiguity. Though, of course, in prose number isn't abbreviated.

Proponents of digital publishing are attempting to force a change in paper submission standards that's sowing unneccesary dissension and confusion. Sure, different standards are confusing themselves. Keeping current is part of the business of writing. Yes, technology is changing the publishing landscape, but the old ways still have valid purposes.


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Pyre Dynasty
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The extra space behind the period is less of an issue these days with more effective search and replace programs. When I was working as a tech editor I just automatically did it when I began balancing the lines whether or not there were any extra spaces. I stopped looking altogether. If the editor asks for it I'd say write it the way that feels good to you and then fix it before you shoot it to them.

I used to be entrenched in the no double spaces argument though, but those were the Quark days . . .

The extra line after each paragraph is terribly annoying though, you have to step away from what you are doing to hit the delete key.


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Robert Nowall
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I'm entrenched in the "why should I alter the habits of a lifetime, when the boon they grant isn't so great to make it worthwhile?" school of thought.

Nothing like being told "always do it this way, only now we're telling you to do it another way." I get enough of that at work.


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philocinemas
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Here's something interesting:

The program that converts the brilliant words we type in the reply boxes here at Hatrack automatically eliminates any double spaces after terminal punctuation. Test it to see. Copy any paragraph onto word and then type the same sentence underneath it in the same font using double spaces after periods.

DOUBLE-SPACERS, YOU ARE BEING CENSORED!!!!!!!


(1984)


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Robert Nowall
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I'll see if a few more comments about this appear, then I'll launch into a rant about what I think it means, maybe tomorrow.
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micmcd
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philo - Double spaces are "skipped" here and many places you write online likely b/c browsers and html interpreters are built to ignore them. Spaces are incredibly helpful in making code readable to humans, but if every space means something it can be very painful for programmers, forcing a single interpretation on what most of us regard as filler. The existence of whitespace is important, but not the amount of it.


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philocinemas
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Shhh, micmcd, you're ruining my conpiracy.
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extrinsic
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But there is a conspiracy, or several conspiracies of convenience and perception biases to boot.

What works best in digital publishing varies there too. The end product regardless of paper or digital publishing is one space after terminal punctuation. Therefore, a convenient consensus desire for one standard leans toward one space in submissions.

The way I do it is best for me; therefore, best for everyone. Everyone should do it my way because it's easier for me. All the other ways are harder for me, so they are obsolete, for me and for everyone else. It's useless to resist. My way is the only way there is.


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Robert Nowall
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I've still got a rant building, but my main thought on it is still along the lines of "what benefit do I gain if I alter my habits to suit them?" (Online publication and / or payment aren't enough for me these days.)
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Spaceman
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To be candid, I ignore that guideline because I'm willing to go back and remove the extra spaces if the market wants to buy the story. YMMV.
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