Writing Numbers

[Michael K]

In one of the strips I'm drawing in the near future I have one character saying the number sixteen. In terms of space using the numeral 16 would be better than writing out sixteen. I was wondering though about other people's choice for writing numbers. What do you recommend using?

[Legendoftrinity]

Either way is fine im sure, but i'd go with 16, saves space. That and also i have a rule of thumb, numbers below 10, write out, the rest just write the numeral.

[Cope]

I'd only use the numerals if I were pressed for space. Just a personal preference; I'm prejudiced against numbers because I sucked at maths.

[834n]

I'd write it out, unless the person saying sixteen is using it as part of a list of statistics or something.

It sounds more natural to me to use something like:
"I'm turning sixteen years old today"
as aposed to:
"I'm turning 16 years old today".

Meh. Just my two cents.

[FinbarReilly]

Yeah, it's just a matter of personal taste....But I prefer them written out unless there's a reason otherwise (such as statistics)...

FR

[Rkolter]

Proper english suggests you write out all the numbers unless you are doing mathematics.

Practicality suggests that if the number is just too big to write out, that you write it in number form, unless you're trying to make a point.

[Jeffy]

I'd say write it out.

When I see a number (in comics at least) not written out, I'm reminded of people typing on the introweb, kinda like having your character say, "Hey! Guess what! I'm 16 today! How old r u?! LOL! "

Damnit I hate internet speakings...

[Mercury Hat]

I believe essay guides say that numbers one through twenty are to be written out, numbers 21 and on use digits.

[FinbarReilly]

Basically, yeah. It's just sometimes "347" looks better as "three-hundred forty-seven"...

FR

[Michael K]

Also I suppose writing 347 makes it look a bit like the character is saying "three four seven" rather than "three hundred and forty seven". Yeah, I've decided that I'll definately write out the number. This time anyway.

[LibertyCabbage]

i think it depends on the character, the context, and the situation. 16 would be more casual and insignificant whereas sixteen would be more formal and important. it's really not that important though and you should go with the one that intuitively seems right.

[Jackhass]

I believe the rule is one to nine you write out, 10 and up you can use digits...

[Black Sparrow]

It seems that everyone learns different rules for writing out numbers

The way I learned it was that anything that takes less than three words gets written out. That includes everything under one hundred and big round numbers like two million. That might just be the Minnesota college board, though.

[Nicotine]

I write articles for newspaper class, and we were told that numbers 1-10 are to be written out and numbers over ten are to be in digit form.

[SamtheClam]

I write articles for newspaper class, and we were told that numbers 1-10 are to be written out and numbers over ten are to be in digit form.

One of my professors told me the exact same thing for writing papers. So I would bet big money the same principle would be applicable to webcomics.

[Rkolter]

... unless you're trying to make a point.

"$533.29? What the hell? Who spent five-hundred thirty-three dollars and twenty-nine cents on an inflatable doll of Ronald Regan?!"

[Cortland]

I write articles for newspaper class, and we were told that numbers 1-10 are to be written out and numbers over ten are to be in digit form.

I was told the same thing in my journalism class. I believe the rule comes from Strunk & White's Elements of Style, so you may want to check out a copy.

[ScrumYummy]

When it comes to a title of a story/comic, though, I say go with what feels appropriate for your story. I think LibertyCabbage said it best:

16 would be more casual and insignificant whereas sixteen would be more formal and important.

Kind of like 2cents would maybe be a funny comic about a pair of gamers and their views on gaming, while Two Cents sounds more like a political comic.

[Nutcracker]

Digits make the text look a bit like 1337. I prefer written form of numbers 1-99, with an exeption for devils in my comic. They have numbers instead of names and the digit form seems more proper in this case.

[CapitanG]

All this talk of print journalism. Pfeh.

In broadcast journalism writing, all numbers have to be written out, so as to be fully readable in script form.