When writing essays, research papers, or other long-form pieces of writing, you will inevitably come across numbers that need to be included in your work. This poses the question – should you type out numbers, like ‘five’ or ‘fifteen’, or should you write them as digits, like ‘5’ or ’15’? There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this debate, and the correct approach often depends on factors like the type and length of your writing, your intended audience, and style guide recommendations. Let’s take a deeper look at the considerations around typing versus writing numbers in essays.
One of the main reasons some argue for typing numbers out is that it can aid readability. Seeing words like ‘five’ rather than just the digits ‘5’ may help readers consume and comprehend numbers more easily within a block of text. Numbers, especially those with multiple digits, can disrupt the flow of reading if they require extra parsing by the brain. Writing numbers out ensures readers do not have to switch between interpreting words and interpreting numerals. Proponents of typing argue this enhances readability, especially for longer or more complex pieces.
Others counter that typed numbers can actually decrease readability in their own ways. Seeing a mix of words and numerals interrupts the consistent left-to-right reading process compared to all words or all digits. Additionally, typed multi-digit numbers like ‘fifteen’ take up more physical space on the page than ’15’ and can create unnecessary line breaks or formatting issues. This disrupts smooth reading even more. For very long documents intended for in-depth analysis versus casual reading, like research papers and dissertations, all-digital formats may aid scannability.
From the perspective of writing mechanics, typing out numbers promotes consistency. Using a mix of typed and written formats within the same document can look awkward and lacks stylistic uniformity. Picking one approach, whether all typed or all written, maintains a clean, professional appearance. Consistency becomes less important for shorter pieces with fewer numbers embedded. A article with just a handful of references may not warrant rigorous formatting for the sake of brevity alone.
Ease of writing also factors into the decision. For most people, it is faster to write digits like dates, ages, or stats rather than spelling everything out letter-by-letter. This allows focusing on content composition rather than transcription. Conversely, typing everything aids memory because written numbers require converting back to word form during proofreading and editing. Either way, choosing the method that lets writers concentrate on ideas rather than mechanics improves writing productivity.
As with many style choices, intended audience comes into play. Publications and disciplines with very technical subject matter focused on precision may prefer all-digital formats for clarity. Fields like mathematics, hard sciences, engineering, and medicine routinely employ numerals. Pieces meant for general interest or less quantitatively oriented readers may benefit more from worded numbers. A essay on history or literature probably does not require the same level of numeric precision. Consider your readers and optimize accordingly.
Most style guides provide recommendations on formatting numbers within writing. For example, the Associated Press Stylebook advises using digits for numbers 10 and above, while spelling out anything from zero to nine. Chicago style mirrors this with some exceptions. Knowing the conventions of your field is important, as following guidelines shows mastery of discipline-specific publishing standards. Style guides were created for print publishing and may need adjustments for online contexts. The rule of clarity and usability ultimately supersedes rigid adherence to style.
When selecting an approach for your own writing, weigh factors such as length and complexity of the document, your readers, and how numbers function semantically. Shorter works for general audiences likely do not demand all-digital consistency. Very long texts or specialized subject areas may benefit more from full standardization. Consider test reading passages using different number approaches to identify which enhances comprehension most. Ultimately, choosing the method that facilitates the clearest communication of ideas to your target readership yields the best results. Flexibility according to your specific writing goals ensures readers receive information in the most digestible way.
Both typing and writing numbers each have respectable arguments in their favor depending on circumstance. Modern word processing even allows easily switching between the two. While style guides offer starting recommendations, applying discretion according to the individual characteristics of your writing task leads to optimal formatting choices. Taking a mindful, audience-focused approach balancing consistency, readability, and productivity will serve your readers best, whether they encounter numerals spelled ‘seventeen’ or keyed ‘17.’ Communication must remain the ultimate priority when presenting ideas through the written word.