Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
C+G Partners
United States
Separating Paragraphs
As recently as the fifteenth century, text was set continuously
without breaks; the definition of the paragraph as an informational nugget emerged in
the 1500s as a way of helping readers navigate text. Initially, a paragraph change was
indicated by a larger space after the period following the last sentence of one paragraph;
a later evolution introduced graphic elements, such as squares or bullets, as paragraph
separators—but still there was no break in the text, such as a line return. Eventually,
columns were set with a line return, but without space between paragraphs; instead, the
beginning of a new paragraph was indicated by an indent—where the first line of a new
paragraph starts a few character-widths in from the left alignment. This treatment works
particularly well in justified setting. The depth of the indent is subjective but must be
noticeable. The indent must be deeper if the leading is loose; more inter-line space nor-
malizes the perception of the column's width and a bigger “hole” must be cut into the
paragraph. Sometimes a designer will exaggerate the indent for visual effect. If the
paragraphs are long and set in relatively wide columns, this treatment often will help to
break up the wall of text by introducing a rhythm of cuts into the columns. Indents are
usually not a great idea if the text is set ragged right. Since the rag is already changing
the line lengths on the right edge of the column, the indent on the left side loses some
of its visual power, appearing somewhat sloppy or causing the top lines of the columns
to appear as though they are changing alignment.
