CENTER FOR THE FAIR TREATMENT OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
The English language gives us so much. It gives us the ability to communicate with each other. It allows us to express our thoughts and desires through the use of words. It gives us books. What do we give it in return? Abuse. Every day fangirls and fanboys abuse the English language to the point of absurdity. So far, this abuse has been localized to the internet and a few private, handwritten notes passed in classes behind teacher's backs. However, it is our firm belief that if we do not stop the abuse at its source, it will only grow. How long before corporate memos are written in internet speak? How long before college term papers start to abuse these innocent letters as well? That is why we've created the Center for the Fair Treatment of the English Language.
July 25, 2007
Formatting, whether we know it or not (and I’m beginning to suspect that a great many people do not) is a part of the English language. The way we format our paragraphs and documents tells the reader how they are supposed to be reading the story. It lets them know when a set of ideas begins and when it ends.
For today, I’d like to discuss paragraphs, as so many people out there seem to be confused about them. Paragraphs can be separated by either of these two approved methods.
1. Press the ‘enter’ key once and then press the ‘tab’ key to indent the beginning of the paragraph. If a ‘tab’ key is not accessible, leave an indentation of approximately five spaces.
2. Press the ‘enter’ key twice, leaving a blank line between one paragraph and the next, but do not tab over. (Option two is not considered acceptable in documents that have been double spaced).
Note: In some cases, pressing enter twice and then tabbing over is acceptable, but is not widely practiced.
Please take a moment to look at the formatting of this segment and, in fact, all segments the C.F.T.E.L. offers. You will note that we chose option two, which has been made acceptable only recently. Up until several years ago, option two was considered informal and not generally accepted in documents. Over time, it has gained popularity, as it provides a much more distinct separation between paragraphs.
It is not acceptable to press enter only once without indenting the paragraph afterwards. This can lead to confusion as to when one paragraph ends and the next begins.
It is not acceptable to forego pressing enter and simply continue typing sentences, assuming that your readers can ‘suss it out’ for themselves. They can’t, nor should they have to. As an author it is your job to adhere to the common formatting for the language in which you are typing.
Using a dash (-), astrix (*), or other symbol to denote the beginning a paragraph is right out there and any potential readers may assume that you are making a to-do list, or that you are simply mentally handicapped (a fair assumption considering the circumstances). (The C.F.T.E.L. would like to take a moment to apologize to any of our readers who are, in fact, mentally handicapped. We have nothing against you and wholeheartedly encourage your literary efforts.)
Pressing enter three times will not make the separation any more apparent than two. Pressing enter six or seven times is not only abusive, but a clear attempt on the author’s part to make his or her story appear longer than it actually is. If you are discouraged by the length of your story, try adding descriptions of your character’s thoughts or surroundings. This can make it longer and, in some cases, more interesting and engaging.
Due to the fact that some people seem to be confused by this, I would like to point out one more thing. A paragraph is not a collection of five or more chapters, put together to form a three page story. A chapter is a collection of paragraphs forming a segment of a full story, either short or long. However, it is generally assumed that if your story is only a few pages in length, that you will not separate it into chapters, as there is no need.
In some instances, more famous authors have used the above as a literary device. This advice is not intended for famous authors, or, indeed, any author of literary standing. One can assume that if an author is published, they either have a grasp of the English language and all its particulars, or have an editor that does. Unless you have an editor, a degree in English, or are otherwise published (poetry notwithstanding), you should not attempt to format your story in any way other than what is considered mainstream and acceptable.