EXAMPLE
September 1999: How to Write Numbers
The assignment was to edit Oiler Blues for the layman. Thus, even though The
Associated Press Stylebook directs writers to spell out numbers under 10, whole
paragraphs often contained a mix of six to 12 cardinal and ordinal numbers presenting an
action-packed replay of a tense game.
Which
One? |
This
One |
Example |
| fourth and one, fourth-and-one or 4th and 1? |
fourth-and-one |
On the fourth-and-one Davis ran the ball. |
| twentieth or 20th? 1989 or ’89?
second or 2nd? |
‘89. Change the wording to "No. 20" and
"No. 2" |
Pat Thomas saw the pass defense improve from No. 20 in
’89 to No. 2 in ’92. |
| five touchdowns, five TDs, or 5 TDs? two or 2
interceptions? |
5 TDs 2 interceptions |
…Moon, who was 36-for-50 for 371 yards, 5 TDs and 2
interceptions." |
The following style establishes consistency and readability:
- Abbreviate strings of cardinal numbers because they stand out clearly for the sports
fan:
The workhorse was George, who had 357 carries for 1,399 yards (3.9 per carry) and 6
touchdowns (2 fewer than McNair).
- Spell out ordinal numbers to avoid the clutter of 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
4th .
The true test of this draft came later as they had three third-round choices, two
fourth-round, two fifth-round picks and one each from the sixth through ninth.
Need help developing a style sheet for numbers? Contact editor@persuasivepen.com. |