RE: Write out numbers -- or not?

["Pinkham, Jim" <Jim -dot- Pinkham -at- voith -dot- com>]

This sounds like a classic case for a stylebook. If you have a house
stylebook and it addresses the issue, follow that. If not, follow
whatever stylebook is commonly used in-house (e.g., Chicago Manual of
Style, AP, GPO, industry-specific etc.) 

The major stylebooks will typically address a prevailing rule for
spelling out numbers (10 and above, 100 and above, or whatever) and will
also address the exceptions (times, dates, dimensions, etc.).

If you have to make style decisions with any kind of consistency, I
would suggest that you obtain and use a stylebook that's appropriate for
your environment. And it would also be wise to develop, with appropriate
feedback and buy-in from any other affected stakeholders, a style sheet
or stylebook of your own that addresses the exceptions or unique
situations that apply to your day-to-day work.

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Brigitte Johnston
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 9:28 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Write out numbers -- or not?

Hi all -

A question about when to spell out numbers...

I edit technical reports that are full of numbers indicating pounds,
inches, degrees, minutes, etc. I'm familiar with the rule about spelling
the numbers out when they're ten or below (and then using 11, 12, etc.).
However, what would you all do if you came across a situation like this?

"Currently, three operators work at this job every day; each operator
works an 8-hour shift, and may also work overtime.  Operators handle
approximately three 50-lb bags of acid per batch.  The cycle time is
approximately 20 minutes per batch, and the production standard for this
operation is 6 to 7 batches per shift."

When to spell out and when not to? Or, use all numbers? I find it
difficult to "pull out" the important items (like 6 to 7 batches per
shift) if they're spelled out, and I've read that, in technical reports
like these, it's best to just use the numbers.  What would you do? 

Thanks-
B. Johnston
Tech. Writer/Editor
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