Numbers are used frequently in reports. When we go for exact facts, we should also know to write them in the proper format.
Here are the universally accepted practice of writing numbers in newspaper reports:
1. Spell out the numbers one through nine; for 10 and up, use Arabic numerals.
For writing ages and percentages, always use Arabic numerals, even for numbers less than 10.
2. Spell out numerals that start a sentence; if the result is awkward, recast the sentence:
(E-g) Twenty-seven were allowed entry to the show.
Yesterday, the school received 223 applications for admission to higher secondary class.
3.The one exception to this rule is in a sentence that begins with a calendar year.
(e-g) 1947 was an important year in the Indian history.
4. Use Roman numerals for wars, monarchs and Popes
(e-g) : World War II, King George VI, Pope John XXIII
5. Do not use commas between words that are part of one number.
(e-g) One thousand one hundred fifty-five.
6. Proper names: use words or numerals according to an organization’s practice.
(e-g) 21st Century Leasing, Big Ten
How to write dates?
1. Always use Arabic figures, without st, nd, rd or th
2. When a phrase refers to a month, day and year, set off the year with commas.
Aug. 21, 2009, was the day they had all been waiting for.
After writing your copy, go back and check if your have written the numbers correctly. The way you write tell you how much homework you have done and how much importance you give to your report to make it ready for publishing
