Digital Keyboarding Standards for data input

Width of a capital M Takes place of two hyphens used in typewriting Introduces a sentence break or a parenthetical statement Stronger than comma, weaker than period Example: sample text – sample text EM DASHES

Width of a capital N Separate ranges, durations or compound words Spaces are not used before or after an en dash Example: sample text-sample text EN DASHES

Paragraph Indents Modern word processing – user should use first line indent to set spacing First line indent should be 2 to 3 characters in width Traditional typing used ½ inch tab sets to indent the first line of paragraph

one space after endmarks Modern word processors automatically place a space after punctuation Traditional typing required two spaces after punctuation

SMART MARKS substitutions for apostrophes and quotation marks “curly” as opposed to straight beginning and end of quoted section typewriter inserts symbol for foot and inch “” “ SMART ”

MONOSPACED TYPE Defined by equal spacing for each letter Example: AAAA i i

Where’s John William?

Proportional type Word processing, desktop publishing, and other modern technology applications use this type to increase readability Allots a different amount of space to each letter AAAA iiii

unnecessary spacing Use kerning to reduce space between periods & commas following overhanding lowercase letters such as r’s and t’s Do not use spaces following periods in acronyms such as A.M. and M.D. 3 locations where appearance & readability can improve Do not insert a space between currency symbols and the money amount

Special characters Many characters unavailable on traditional typewriters are available through word processing Symbols available through Insert Symbol or Key Caps

UNDERLINING Cuts off letter which extend below the line, making text more difficult to read Instead of underlining, choose a different method to emphasize text