United Nations Correspondence Manual - UNU

Some points
of style
38
D. Underlining
10. With the use of text-processing in the preparation of correspondence, underlining
is replaced by the use of italics or boldface.
11.
text.
Boldface should be used for the subjects of memoranda and for headings in the
12. Italics should be used for the following:
(a) The titles of books, periodicals, newspapers, films, plays and television
programmes;
(b) The names of vessels and airplanes;
(c) Certain mathematical indications;
(d) The titles of laws, decrees and the like in foreign languages;
(e) Non-English words other than those generally considered to have been
adopted into the language (consult The Concise Oxford Dictionary if in doubt).
13. Do not use italics or boldface for emphasis in correspondence.
E. Numbers
14. In accordance with traditional conventions, numbers may be expressed in figures
or in words; the nature of the text is the determining factor. In legal, formal, literary
and narrative style, words are used in certain contexts. In scientific, technical
and statistical texts, figures are used almost exclusively.
15. In general, numbers under 10 should be expressed in words (for example,
eight, not 8). Numbers should also be expressed in words in the following contexts:
(a) At the beginning of a sentence:
Four hundred and fifty women were selected;
(b) In fractions in narrative text:
Only two thirds of the applicants were qualified;
(c) In references to ages in non-technical, non-statistical texts:
This applies to children under nine years old.
16. Numbers between 10 and 999,999 should normally be written in figures except
when they begin a sentence. In addition, the following are always expressed in figures:
(a) Percentages:
Only 4 per cent of the total, compared with 16 per cent the previous year.
(b) Ratios:
Yields were 3 tons per hectare. The ratio was 10 : 1.
(c) Results of voting:
The resolution was adopted by 15 votes to none, with 65 abstentions.
(d) Dates and time of day:
On Wednesday, 21 July 1999, at 10.30 a.m.
(e) Numbers with fractions:
Costs were reduced by 10.75 per cent and profits almost doubled,
increasing 1.75 times over the previous year.