Some typographical rules
Punctuation: typographic rules to follow
full stop/period
The point is to mark the end of a sentence.
Concerning numbers between groups of three digits, don't put a full stop, but a non-breaking space:
Ex: 4 500 000.
General rule: no space before the fullstop and space after.
Comma,
The comma indicates a short pause and serves to separate the parts of a sentence.
Don't place a comma between a subject and a verb.
Don't not place a comma before a bracket, parenthesis, hyphen, but after.
We usually place a comma before "etc.. .
General rule: no space before and space after.
Semicolon;
The semicolon is usually placed between two independent proposals and indicates a link with the preceding sentence:
General rule: non-breaking space before the semicolon and space after the semicolon.
Colon:
The colon announce a list or a quotation.
Before a quotation: they are followed by French quotes.
General rule: non-breaking space before and space after the colon. No capital after.
Question mark?
The question mark is placed at the end of an interrogative sentence.
General rule: non-breaking space before the question mark and space after.
Exclamation mark!
The exclamation point is placed at the end of exclamatory sentence or end of an interjection
General rule: non-breaking space before the exclamation mark and space after.
Ellipsis ...
The dots are always three in number, and mark a hesitation, a thought not expressed or are placed following a list too long.
General rule: no space before the dot and space after.
Brackets ()
Parentheses are used to isolate a sentence in a passage relating to a point, to detail or supporting a fact.
General rule: the space before and space after parentheses, but no space inside.
Dash --
The dash is used to mark the change of interlocutor in a dialogue, detail an observation within a sentence (it looks much better than the parentheses), or to submit a list.
General rule: non-breaking space after. If within a phrase, breaking space before, space after.
Asterisk *
This symbol indicates a reference to be developed end of the article.
General rule: no space between the asterisk and the word that precedes it, but after breaking space. (Example: Note * or: * This refers to our article ...)
etc.
It is often seen written: etc. ... It is a mistake. One point will be fine.
Other rules
Titles and subtitles
- There is no punctuation in the titles and subtitles. The font change (bold or italic) is ample.
- Try to increase the font size so there is no confusion about the meaning of the title.
See also
Knowledge communities.
