I've noticed some MSs are formatted in such a way that there is a large indent on the left hand side to denote the beginning of each paragraph.
Is this the way a submission should be formatted? Previously I have only ever used a single space at the start of a para. Would appreciate any advice. Thanks

I think the indent should be sufficiently large (i.e. a tab space) for it to be quite clear that it is an indent.

Normal practice seems to be that every paragraph must be indented except the first paragraph in a chapter or section which should have no indent. This is particularly relevant when submitting work double-spaced because it makes it very clear where a new section is starting - otherwise the section-break or gap can easily be disguised by the double-spacing.

Chris

When I'm dealing with manuscripts I hate it when the indent is titchy - it's too easy to miss. One biff of the tab key is enough to give a decent indent, and my version of Word learns after a para or three, and does it automatically.

Mind you, I hate it even more if there's a double-space between every bloomin paragraph and no indent. Okay on a website, but not acceptable on a MS.

Emma



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crossed with you, Chris2 - we're saying the same thing.

In Word, you can set an automatic indent by going to Format/Paragraph/Special and clicking on ‘First Line'.

It always used to be five spaces, back in the days of the typewriter, so go for something along those lines. It's different when typesetting for a PDF or to go to print, but generally, a nice fat space.

I hate people using the double line, web-style break in written work too.

And no indent for a new chapter, or subchapter break. That's where the automatic Word thingy can be a pain.

I use the first line function in the paragraph format box for this. You can then make the indent as much or as little as you want, but I agree that it needs to be very obvious as otherwise it's hard for a reader to spot.

The convention is either use first line indents (except for the first para in a chapter or section) or an extra space between paragraphs. Never both. However, it is also convention to use first line indents in book manuscripts and para spacing in reports and other forms of non-fiction. I'm not sure why that should be so, but it is.

Double line spacing in reports: is that a recent trend, or pre-interner?

Thanks for all the info - looks like I will be going through 325 pages....

There is a way of reformatting automatically. If you have done a paragraph return, then a single space to indent your paragraphs, this should work a treat.

Go into Word and then into Find and Replace (CTRL + F). Click the box that says MORE, then the box that says SPECIAL. Click on "Paragraph Mark". In the box, the symbol "^p". Put your cursor after it and hit the space bar for a single space (or two, if you have indented with two spaces).

In the REPLACE line, go to SPECIAL again, click on paragraph mark, then SPECIAL one last time and click on Tab Character. You should end up with "^p^t" in the box. Now hit FIND NEXT and see if it highlights the end of one paragraph and first space of your next paragraph. If it does, you're laughing. Hit REPLACE ALL and have a cup of tea.

Colin M

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word missing. Should have read: In the box, the symbol "^p" will appear

That seems a very complicated method, Colin. Surely it's a lot easier to simply go into the paragraph box (in the format menu) and select 'first line' under the special menu?

Just realised that Gillian wants to change them all after doing it differently. In which case, just select all, then go to the paragraph box and select indent first line. It should work.

That will work, but it won't get rid of your spaces. I know it sounds like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but the only way I can think of to save you deleting them all by hand.

Colin - that is magic Thank you so much - it has saved me hours of work - big virtual can of beer on its way to you.....

Thanks again....

wow