Writing: The Importance of White Space

As an editor to an online site, I have noticed a few problems that are specific to Internet writing, especially writing for a monitor. One problem that makes me want to yank out each of my gray hairs, and I am at the age to have a few, is paragraphing.

What do you mean? I mean that writers are NOT paragraphing. There is a block of text on my monitor that can be from one page up to three pages long. There is nothing other than grammar that can upset me more. So as I try to be calm and polite about this error, I will first explain the rules of paragraphing and then explain why this simple overlooked format is so important.

Rules of paragraphs

 In Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style in Elementary Principles of Composition, paragraphs need to start with a topic sentence and end with conformity. This small book about writing is one of the best books for learning how to write properly. If you don’t have a copy, you can find The Elements of Style in any book store or online at Amazon.com.

 I have condensed the paragraphing rules here:

 1. A paragraph should be between two or more sentences. In fiction, you can break this rule by having one sentence, but it should be done rarely and for effect. In Internet writing, the rules are being changed to about four or five sentences per paragraph.

 2. A paragraph should start or end with a topic sentence. This sentence tells the reader what you want to accomplish.

 3. A paragraph is indented. This rule has changed on the Internet. Many sites want you to use a line between paragraphs instead of an indent.

 4. Numbers should be spelled out in a paragraph. For instance instead of 1 and 2, you should write one and two. This rule changes when numbers are dates like 1949, or numbers over three digits like 100.

 5. Paragraph whenever a new character or person speaks.

 6. Keep to one tense.

 7. Use a variation of sentences. Long sentences slow the pace down. Short sentences quicken the pace of a story or article. If you use a variation, it makes the article easier for the reader.

 There are more rules, but these few can keep you from making too many mistakes.

 Importance of White Space

White space is the emptiness between the characters, lines and paragraphs of your article or story. If there is too much white space, then the piece looks unprofessional. If there is too little white space, then the reader has a hard time keeping their place.

 In technical terms the monitor you are looking at right now has a refresh rate. If you take a video of the monitor, it looks like it is flashing. You can’t tell it is flashing because the refresh rate is going by too fast.

 However, when you blink your eyes, if there is not enough space for you to mark where you are at, you will lose your place every time. It is easier to keep track of your place when you are reading off of paper, which is why the paragraphs can be longer.

 In conclusion

 In the early 80’s my first job was as a typesetter. It was amazing then, how important formatting is for readers and writers alike. And, in fact, white space is even more important since we do so much reading and writing on the Internet.

 Please keep this in mind when you want to encourage readers to read your writings. Without that white space, you may not get the readers you desire.