A double spaced essay would probably reflect the sentiments of many people that double space after a period indicates a new sentence better than just one space after it. With the advent of word processors and revisions in style guides, it is no longer warranted to use the double space. The 2008 edition of the U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual has clearly indicated that a single justified word spaced would be used between sentences for all types of composition. Microsoft Word allows the user both the single space and double space options. In fact, it allows custom essays with any number of spaces and would display it as such. The Chicago Manual of Style has stated that the University of Chicago Press discourages double space being used. We therefore need to understand the reasons for using either one of them.
Best Known Reasons Advocating The Use Of A Double Spaced Essay
1. Most people cannot understand why double space should not be used, as they would have learned that in school. The most obvious reason in support is that a new sentence is clearly indicated to readers. The MLA Style Manual quite clearly states that, “As a practical matter, however, there is nothing wrong with using two spaces after concluding punctuation marks unless an instructor or editor requests that you do otherwise.” The clarity that a double space would provide is justified.
2. The use of double space after a period has been in existence for quite a long time. Typewriters use a single space between every character. So a period also occupies a space. It therefore made sense that two spaces after a period would make spacing look more correct in assignments.
Modern Reasoning Against The Use Of A Double Spaced Essay
1. The MLA Style Manual has this to say. “Because it is increasingly common for papers and manuscripts to be prepared with a single space after all punctuation marks, this spacing is shown in the examples in the MLA Handbook and the MLA Style Manual.” It does make sense. Typewriters are on the way out. It is hardly ever used nowadays.
2. Word processors have made it easy to decide. The modern font and kerning system enables users to choose just one space as two spaces are not required any more. While completing GCSE English coursework, make sure you follow the double-space format unless specified otherwise.
3. Most readers are familiar with online display of text. To simply HTML, which merges multiple spaces into one, it is better to use single space in essays. To do so otherwise would include additional code that is really not required.
There would be many arguing either for or against the use of a double space essay. It would definitely get the vote of older people who use a pen for academic writing. Their argument would simply be that manual writing does not warrant the use of either method. Who can argue with that reasoning? In academic writing though, students should follow the guidelines given by their college or curriculum. Deviations for the sake of online presentations can always be justified with prior permission, especially if the English coursework is meant for submission at the end of the term.
