What would Bringhurst do?
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- gramme
So, I know in proper typography, small caps are used for acronyms, but not pronouns. I've always thought it's best to use a single letterspace in pronouns such as C. S. Lewis.
My question is, when typesetting U.S. or U.S.A., do you add space after periods or not? U. S. looks a bit odd to my eye, but I could be wrong.
- brains0
No space after periods in acronyms, don't believe you are supposed to in pronouns either, but stylistically it can be quite sound.
- airey0
are they considered acronyms with fullstops in between letters? things like NASA are acronyms and obviously don't use fullstops? anyone got some knowledge to share?
- gramme0
No I'm pretty sure it's correct practice in names. So you guys don't use space after the period in U?
Airey: acronyms that are seen more commonly in their abbreviated forms than in their long forms, such as NASA, TV, AM, PM, BC, AD, FSC, FBI, NSA, etc. do not need periods in between letters. If a typeface has small caps, they should be used in paragraphs, but not in headlines. In paragraphs they help with the running flow of text, but in headlines their smaller size feels unbalanced.
- cool thx for the info. i never use spaces btw. looks shite with 'em.airey
- Amicus0
It is more modern not have spaces or fullstops, but obviously that can be confusing between "US" and "us"
You can use the Chicago Manual of Style for a pretty definitive answer. For a more British take on things you can easily find a pdf download of The Guardian style guide.
- MrOneHundred0
From the Elements of Typographic Style;
For abbreviations and acronyms in the midst of normal text, use spaced small caps.
- boobs0
That seems really stuck up.
- gramme0
What seems stuck up?
- airey0
something's stuck? use a fork to pry it out. that'll work.
- gramme0
Looks like the Chicago style guide says if any abbreviation/acronym is in caps or small caps, then don't use periods, unless it's a name like C. S. Lewis.
- ukit0
Hmmm, you know gramme, I remember the same thing from my brief stint in journalism.
- ukit0
You could also check a couple major newspapers/ magazines (NYT etc). I'm sure they've spent a lot of time thinking about such things..
- MrOneHundred0
Elements of Typographic Style is just a tool, like any other you can use it if you need to or ignore it.