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From: graeme@otago.ac.nz
Newsgroups: comp.text.tex
Subject: Indentation of paragraphs versus space between pa
Message-ID: <1991Mar14.170116.152@otago.ac.nz>
Date: 14 Mar 91 04:47:03 GMT
Organization: University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Lines: 90

Indenting paragraphs versus space between paragraphs

A lot of people doing their own typesetting fall into the
trap of putting space between paragraphs rather than 
indenting paragraphs.
  This seems to have come about through the influence of
typewriting, where it is easier (i.e., quicker) to type
the <return> key twice rather than a <return> and a 
<tab> key.
  TeX and LaTeX, by default, indent paragraphs rather
than insert space between paragraphs, but many users
go to a lot of trouble to reverse this. (It is actually
very easy to do, and involves setting 2 commands:
\parindent and \parskip.)
  Jan Tschichold, one of the most influential typographic
designers of this century, has this to say on the subject:

  Indentation is technically and aesthetically the
  best and simplest way to distinguish paragraphs and
  it would be foolish to regard it as out of
  date. ...

  It is better to distinguish paragraphs certainly by
  means of indentation than uncertainly by line
  endings. ...

  Extra space between paragraphs should never be used
  instead of indentation in books and magazine work;
  it is excusable only in newspapers and cheap
  pamphlets.
  \cite[page~48]{Tschichold}

  The advantage of indention is that it is immediately
obvious that a new paragraph has started. Vertical spacing,
on the other hand, needs the previous paragraph before it
can be decided that a new paragraph has started.
Furthermore, if a paragraph starts at the top of a page, it
is impossible for the reader to know whether it is a new
paragraph or the continuation of the previous paragraph.
The same problem occurs when starting a new paragraph after
a list or other displayed text: it is very difficult to
know whether it is a new paragraph or a continuation of the
same paragraph.
  Vertical space is better employed to emphasize headings,
quotes, lists, etc. Here, it clearly displays the text.


Indentation after a heading?

The Chicago Manual of Style (page 575) suggests not
indenting the first paragraph after a heading. Why? The
absence of indentation draws attention to both the
paragraph and the heading.


Summary

Modern typography is all about `form following function',
i.e., each part of the design has to justify its existence
in terms of enhancing readability.
  Indenting paragraphs is an economical way of signalling the
start of a new paragraph (and hence new idea). It then
leaves vertical space to be employed to display text such
as extracts, lists, etc. 
  Under NO circumstances should paragraphs be both spaced
and indented.


References

\bibitem{Tschichold}
Tschichold, J.
\newblock {\em Assymetric Typography}.
\newblock Faber \& Faber Ltd in co-operation with Cooper \& Beatty, Ltd
  (Toronto), London, 1967.
\newblock Translated by Ruari McLean.

\bibitem{University of Chicago Press}.
\newblock {\em The Chicago Manual of Style}.
\newblock The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, thirteenth edition, 1982.


Graeme McKinstry,                graeme@otago.ac.nz
Computing Services Centre,
University of Otago,
Dunedin, New Zealand.

VANCOUVER (n.)                     
The technical name for one of those huge trucks with whirling brushes on
the bottom used to clean streets.