(At the time of publication – October 12025) The Croydon Convention™ States:
© The Croydon Convention Consultative Committee Ltd claims copyright for the provisions stated within this convention as at the date specified within the heading. The date shall be specified using dates from The Holocene Era. Holocene-dates can be converted into common-era dates by removing the first occurrance of the digit ‘1’ from the date reference quoted. For example 1st January 12000 HE is the equivalent of 1st January 2000 CE.
Division-1 – General Rules for the Presentation of Written Works
Rule-1.1:
Whatever the order of presentation of rules within The Croydon Convention™, Rule-2.1 is always paramount.
Rule-1.2:
The set of rules contained herein may be referred to as: ‘The Croydon Convention™’. The word: ‘atroc’ may also be used. ‘Atroc’ is shorthand for: ‘According to the rules of convention’. Within the text of these rules, The Croydon Convention™ can be referred to as: ‘the convention’, or ‘this convention’.
Rule-1.2(a):
The rules of The Croydon Convention™ apply to formal printed text. Such rules might or might not be applicable to other media of communication.
Rule-1.2(b):
The rules within The Croydon Convention™ can be stated using the following recognised words:
Atroc: According to the rules of convention (That is: According to the rules of The Croydon Convention™)
Eseap: Expressly stated exceptions are permitted
Fotgi: Focusing on the grammatical issue(s)
Itgs: In the grammatical sense
Tane: There are no exceptions
Uara: Unless another rule applies
Rule-1.3:
The rules are intended to codify formal written English when presented within formal printed text. The rules might be transferable to languages other than English.
Rule-1.3(a)
A failure to comply with the rules will mean that a writer will be unable to (truthfully) claim that the work they have produce is compliant with The Croydon Convention™.
Rule-1.3(b):
People who read formal printed works shall be referred to within this convention as: ‘Beholders’. The category: Beholders shall include (but shall not be limited to) Publishers.
Rule-1.4:
The rules within The Croydon Convention™ can be sub-divided into:
Rules-tane: Rules where there are no exceptions. Denoted as: ‘(tane)’. (For example: Rule 2.1 supersedes all other rules (tane).)
Rules-eseap: Rules where expressly stated exceptions are permitted. Denoted as: ‘(eseap)’. (For example: The pronoun ‘I’, is permitted to appear with a capital letter, despite the rule that pronouns are normally presented with script letters.)
Rules-uara: Rules that can and sometimes should be over-ridden by an alternative rule. Denoted as: ‘(uara)’. (For example: The rule that common nouns are presented with script letters, is superseded by the rule that the first word of a sentence always begins with a capital letter, even if that first word is a common word.)
Rule-1.4(a):
If there is a conflict between any two rules within the convention, then the following principles apply in the order that is listed.
Rule-2.1 supersedes all other rules, even if the conflicting rule has been identified as a rule-tane.
A rule that is not specified as falling into one of the sub-divisions is assumed to be a rule-tane (uara).
A rule-tane overrules both rules-eseap and rules-uara.
A rule-eseap can overrule a rule-uara. However, because a rule-eseap necessarily applies by permission rather than by requirement, it follows that a rule-uara can supersede a rule-eseap if it is desired to overrule the rule-eseap.
If there is a conflict between two or more rules within the same sub-division, then the rule which is designated with the lower reference number is deemed to take precedence. For example the reference: ‘1.2’ is lower than the reference: ‘1.3’.
Rule-1.5:
People can and should challenge existing rules for the presentation of written work. Examples of such rules include, but are not limited to: Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation, and Abbreviating. Such challenges are desirable if people believe it will make those rules better. For example: Just because you have been told to use speech marks, does not necessarily mean it is a good idea to do so. The use of speech marks (in certain situations) might be a tradition. However, a tradition is not necessarily a convention. The principle can only be considered to be a convention (in the context herein described) if it has been expressly stated to be part of The Croydon Convention™.
Rule-1.6:
The rules can and should vary according to the medium, and according to the power of existing technology. For example: speech marks might be appropriate for writing with a pen and paper. That does not necessarily make them appropriate for text produced by a word processor.
Rule-1.7:
In accordance with Rule-1.6, The Croydon Convention™ can and should be amended by reference to the provisions of Rule-1.8.
Rule-1.8:
At the time of writing, Marcus Hilton is the sole arbiter of what is, and what is not included within The Croydon Convention™. It is the intention of Marcus Hilton to amend Rule 1.8 when appropriate to do so.
Rule-1.8(a):
This rule has been left blank to enable an amendment to Rule 1.8 to be inserted when appropriate to do so.
Rule-1.8(b):
Any deletions should be stated in the form: ‘Rule-x.y(z) (or similar) – deleted, (date)’ (tane). Accordingly, that rule reference number cannot be assigned to any other rule within the convention.
Rule-1.8(c)
Any amendments to any of the rules within this convention should maintain the same reference number as the original rule. The format for an amended rule should be: ‘Rule-x.y(z) (or similar) – amended, (date)’ (tane).
Rule-1.8 (d)
Any additional rule included within the text of the convention should be identified, by an appropriate reference number in an appropriate format consistent with the existing format of reference numbers within the convention. The numbering assigned to that addition should be appropriate to the position of the amendment within the convention. For example, general rules about the convention should be assigned a reference number beginning with: ‘1’. Rules related to proper names should be assigned reference numbers beginning with: ‘4’, and so on.
Rule-1.8(e)
The reference number for any rules that are added should specify the date that the amendment was added.
Division-2
General Rules for Communication within Formal Printed Text
Rule-2.1:
The purpose of Communication is to put a message across. Thus, Rule-2.1 overrides any other rule within this convention. If the requirement to put a message across, conflicts with any other rule within this convention, then the requirement to put the message across, supersedes such other rule(s).
Rule-2.2:
In view of the desire of The Croydon Convention to simplify and codify the rules of formal presentation in printed format, a distinction is made between a traditional rule, and a conventional rule. In the context of The Croydon Convention™, the terms: ‘traditional rule’ and ‘conventional rule’, are not synonymous. A traditional rule has been established over a period of time, for example: ‘ ‘‘I’’ before ‘‘e’’ except after ‘‘c’’.’. There is no logical basis for such a rule, it is merely an established rule that is applied by most people simply because this is the tradition. A conventional rule is formally written down within The Croydon Convention™, for example: ‘The purpose of Communication is to put a message across.’.
Rule-2.2(a)
Conventional rules are designed to aid communication. The principle that if establishing a rule by convention aids communication then such a rule is considered to be desirable. By contrast, traditional rules might be recognised (that is: ‘tolerated’) by the convention, but not necessarily enshrined within the convention. In some cases the aim will be to discourage or even overturn a traditional rule if the traditional rule hampers communication. For example, placing a period (full stop) after an abbreviation might be traditional, for example: ‘British Airways plc.’, but (arguably) that rule hinders, rather than enhances, communication. Accordingly, if a sentence ends with the gennoun: ‘British Airways plc’ then that can create confusion about whether to write: ‘… British Airways plc..’ (logical) or ‘ … British Airways plc.’ (traditional). By contrast if the convention states: ‘There is no full stop after an abbreviation (tane).’, then there is no debate about how to finish a sentence. The logical presentation would be: ‘… British Airways plc.’, because the full stop is no longer following the abbreviation, it is simply finishing a sentence that ends with an abbreviation that is no longer (atroc) presented with an appended full stop.
Rule-2.3
The traditions that have been adopted over centuries, are so numerous that it has become impractical to establish rules to deal with all of the traditions. For example, (by tradition), we might describe a dress as being: ‘the prettiest’. However equally by tradition, we might describe the same dress as being: ‘the most beautiful’, rather than being: ‘the beatifulliest’. It would be impossible to devise a convention to establish when to say: ‘most (adjective)’, and when to say ‘…iest’. In such situations The Croydon Convention™ chooses to stay neutral. Even if: ‘beautiflliest’ is frowned-upon by traditionalists, the convention still permits (but does not encourage) the use of such words. The writer is then free (atroc) to choose for themselves whether or not to use such a non-traditional grammatical style. The beholder is equally free to criticise or even refute the use of such a non-traditionalist approach.
Division-3
Definitions to be Used, When Applying the Rules of the Convention
Rule-3.1:
The word: ‘Gennoun’, shall be defined as:
A generic announcement which exists within the language that is being communicated. Examples of gennouns shall include, (but shall not be limited to): syllables, words, symbols, emojis, phrases, terms, sentences, lyrics, paragraphs, chapters, books and serials.
The gennoun: ‘Compound-Gennoun’, shall be defined as:
‘A conjoined set of two or more gennouns, such that the combination so formed, shall behave as if the gennoun was one single word.’
A feature of a compound gennoun shall be that hyphens will appear between the elements of that compound gennoun to indicate that the whole compound gennoun is to be considered, rather than the individual elements within that compound gennoun.’
The word: ‘Common’ (itgs), shall be defined as:
‘Any gennoun that is not a proper gennoun.’
All common gennouns shall commence with a script letter (uara).
The gennoun: ‘Proper-Gennoun’, shall be defined as:
‘A gennoun that is used as a label to identify an entity, as being the-one-and-the-only in existence.’
The word: ‘Proper’, in this context, shall be used in the grammatical sense only, regardless of any perceived viewpoint about the rights and wrongs of the idea being expressed. For example: ‘Homophobia’, is the proper name (itgs) of an attitude towards a specified group of people within our society. The Croydon Convention™ is entirely neutral about whether or not it is proper to be homophobic.
The gennoun: ‘Traditional-Rules’, shall be defined as:
‘Presentational rules that have been adopted whilst The English Language has developed. Such rules might be well-known, but the origins of such rules are not definitively written down at the time when such presentational rules became established.’
The gennoun: ‘Conventional-Rules’, shall be defined as:
‘Rules which have been expressly stated within The Croydon Convention™.’
In some cases the rules merely formalise a tradition that has already become established, for example: ‘A new sentence begins with a capital letter.’. In other cases the convention seeks to establish a clear rule in situations where previously there was no clarity, for example (by tradition), the word: ‘draconian’ is presented with a small ‘d’ (uara), but (by tradition), the word: ‘Dickensian’ (sic) is presented with a capital ‘D’. The conventional rule is that all adjectives are common gennouns. Whatever the source of the conventional rule may be, the rule is regarded as conventional precisely because the rule is stated within The Croydon Convention™. Conventional rules may also be referred to as: ‘croydonian rules’, because (in this context) the word: ‘croydonian’ is used as an adjective.
Division-4
General Rules for the Presentation of Proper Names within Formal Printed Text
Rule-4.1:
The way in which proper names are presented actually matters. This is because the presentation of a proper name can change the meaning of a sentence. For example: There was once a pop group known as: ‘The Entire Population of China’. The host of the show could legitimately say: ‘And now we have for you on stage The Entire Population of China.’ It would be a lie to say: ‘And now we have for you on stage the entire population of China.’.
Rule-4.2:
A proper name can be defined as: ‘A gennoun that is generally accepted as being one of the names of an entity which is the-one-and-the-only.’ For example: ‘The Battle of Hastings’, is considered to be a proper name. ‘The battle that allowed William of Normandy to become King of England.’, is not an example of a proper name. So, we can say: ‘The battle won by William of Normandy which enabled him to become King of England has been given a proper name. That proper name is: ‘‘The Battle of Hastings’’.’.
Rule-4.3:
The major words within a proper name should be presented with initial capital letters (uara). By contrast common words (itgs), which are not part of a proper gennoun, are presented with script letters (uara). For example: ‘The Silk Road is a road that was used for transporting silk.’. ‘The Silk Road’ is a proper name, ‘road’ and ‘silk’ are both common words (itgs).
Rule-4.3(a):
By default, if a word appearing within a proper name is not a major word, then it is considered to be a small word. A small word appearing within a proper name is treated in precisely the same way as common words within normal prose. That is to say:
‘If a common word (itgs) within normal prose, would be presented with a script initial letter (uara), then a small word within a proper name, would also be presented with a script initial letter (uara).
Rule-4.3(b):
In addition to the requirement that major words within a proper name are to be presented with initial capital letters, it is also a requirement that the very first gennoun of a proper name is presented with an initial capital letter (uara), whenever it is physically possible to do so. This requirement applies even if the very first gennoun is a small word, for example: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The indefinite article is a small word, but it still appears as a capital letter (‘A’) because ‘A’ is the first word of the title of that well-known play.
Rule-4.3(c):
Rules-4.3 and -4.3(b), are superseded by rule x, which requires faithful reproduction of an authoritative statement of a proper name. For example: (according to the rules of the convention) a service provided for television viewers should be referred to as: ‘The BBC Iplayer’. However, the overriding requirement is to refer to that service as: ‘The BBC iPlayer’, because it has been authoritatively stated that the service will be known by that name. Other television-catch-up services are available.
Rule-4.3(d):
If a proper name begins with a symbol, then that symbol is considered to be the first gennoun within that proper name. Accordingly, no other word within the title of the properly named entity can be considered to be the first word. Thus, that word is capitalised if it is a major word, and non-capitalised if it is a small word. For example if a song is entitled: ‘J for Me’, (‘Smile for me’), then the word: ‘for’ is a small word and so it will start with a script ‘f’. The word ‘Me’, (in this context), is a major word because it identifies who the smile is intended for.
Rule-4.3(e):
If the first word of a proper name appears after a punctuation mark, then the punctuation mark is not regarded as the first gennoun, precisely because it is a punctuation mark. For example the song: (They Long to Be) Close to You, is presented (atroc) in precisely that fashion, because ‘They’ is the first word. The opening bracket is a punctuation mark.
Rule-4.3(f):
A major word can be defined as being: ‘A word that is so important to that proper name, that without such a word the entity is no longer identifiable.’. So, for example, the busiest airport in The UK cannot be identified as: ‘Airport’, but it can be identified as: ‘Heathrow Airport’. Accordingly, ‘Heathrow’ is a major word within the proper name of that airport.
Rule-4.3(g)
A useful way to determine whether a word within a proper name is a major word or a small word is to apply The Telegram Test. The Telegram Test imagines that the proper name is being transmitted by telegram. If the word could be omitted from the telegram, without losing the identity of an entity, then that word is considered to be small (itgs). If the word is essential to identifying the entity then the word is considered to be major. If, after applying The Telegram Test, there is still doubt about whether a word is small or major, then by default, the word is considered to be major. Accordingly, the word being considered should be presented with an initial capital letter (uara).
Rule-4.4:
The convention established in Rule-4.2, implies and therefore confirms that if a word is not part of a proper name, then it might, (under certain circumstances), be appropriate to present that word without capital letters (uara). For example, we can say: ‘The celestial object that orbits The Earth is known as: ‘‘The Moon’’ (capital ‘‘M’’). The Moon (capital ‘‘M’’) is one example of numerous moons (small ‘‘m’’) within The Solar System.’.
Rule-4.4(a):
A proper name is necessarily a noun (or a compound noun). Accordingly, the rules for proper names only apply to nouns. They cannot apply to other parts of speech such as pronouns, verbs, or adjectives. All parts-of-speech, apart from nouns, (or compound-nouns), are always common words, and are therefore presented with script initial letters (uara).
Rule-4.4 (b):
Where a strong tradition exists that another part of speech is presented with an initial capital letter, it will be permitted (although not encouraged) to stick to that tradition. For example, the rules of this convention would require a writer to state, (if they choose to),: ‘It is a very british trait to queue.’, because an adjective is being used to describe a trait. Precisely because the word used to describe that trait is an adjective, it is considered to be a common word (itgs). The convention requires that common words (itgs) are presented with script initial letters (uara). However, it is permitted (although not encouraged) to present that particular adjective with a capital ‘B’ because a strong tradition exists (at the time of writing). Rule-4.4(b) is a rule-eseap.
Rule-4.5:
Speech marks should be reserved exclusively for quoted gennouns. Accordingly, specifically in the case of formal printed text, there is never a need to enclose a proper name within speech marks (uara).
Rule-4.6:
Within the category referred to as: ‘Proper Names’, there are a number of sub-categories as follows:
Physical Creations,
Compositions,
References,
Organisations,
Religious Writings,
and
Concepts.
Rule-4.6(a):
Concepts is considered to be a residual category. Any proper name which does not fit within the other categories, is therefore considered to be a concept.
Rule-4.7:
The general rules for the presentation of proper names within formal printed text apply to all sub-categories listed under Rule-4.6, with the exception of Compositions. There are special rules for Compositions, set out in Rule-4.8.
Rule 4.8:
For compositions only, (when presented within formal printed text), the proper name of that composition should be present in italics. This is so that the reader can identify the entity being named as a composition, rather than being any other type of entity. It is important that the reader is informed that the entity is a composition, because a composition could conceivably (although not necessarily) influence the thoughts of any beholder who encounters that composition.
Rule-4.9:
For the purposes of this convention, a composition is defined as:
‘An ethereal communication which conceivably, (although not necessarily), lacks objectivity.’
Examples of compositions include, (but are not limited to): songs, music-without-lyrics, dances, poetry, stories, films, dramas and advocations.
Rule-4.9(a):
Specifically excluded from the category of Compositions would be physical creations, even if those creations are considered to be works-of-Art.
Any entity mentioned within a composition, which is not itself a composition, does not fall within the definition of a composition. For example: Wuthering Heights is a fictional location mentioned within the composition entitled: Wuthering Heights. Similarly: Oliver Twist is a fictional character within the composition entitled: Oliver Twist. However in the story: Cloud Atlas written by David Mitchell, reference is made to a various other fictional stories including: Letters from Zedelghem. Both the actual work of fiction, (Cloud Atlas), and the fictional work of fiction, (Letters from Zedelghem) are presented in italics.
Rule-4.10:
By default, an ethereal communication is considered to be a composition, unless the specific aim of that ethereal communication is to solely communicate information which is objectively truthful.
Rule-4.10(a):
If the purpose of the ethereal communication is to solely communicate information that is objectively truthful, then that ethereal communication would be considered to fall within the category of References, (for example a dictionary). Because references are not compositions the name given to that reference is presented without italicisation. This is because all categories of proper names, other than Compositions, are presented without italicisation.
Rule-4.11:
A proper name is a label to identify an entity. Accordingly, subject to the overriding provisions of Paragraph-4.11(a) (below), the proper name is presented has no stopper at the end of that name (uara). Thus, if you would not call a former president of The USA: ‘Abraham Lincoln (full stop)’, then you would not add a full stop at the end of a film title such as: ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’, because even though that gennoun would normally constitute a sentence, in this specific example the gennoun is a label, and therefore it is not a sentence.
Thus information might be presented as follows:
‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (no full stop), is a well-known movie starring: Zero Mostel, Michael Crawford, and Buster Keaton.(full stop at the end of a sentence)’
Rule-4.11(a):
Whilst rule 4.11 is the norm, there will be exceptions if punctuation is part of the proper name. For example, one of the many books written by Terry Pratchett is called: ‘Guards!’. The exclamation mark is part of the title, and therefore the exclamation mark appears within the proper name.
Rule-4.11(b):
If a proper name contains a punctuation mark part-way through that name, then the normal rules of writing in prose should be applied. A search of The Internet reveals a book written by Dave Eggers entitled: ‘Your Fathers, Where are Th
Division-5
General Rules for Italicisation within Formal Printed Text
Rule 5.1:
In accordance with Rule-4.8, italics should be reserved for the proper names of compositions, and nothing else. If italics are used for any other purpose, then it would no longer be possible to distinguish the proper names of compositions from other types of text.
Rule 5.2:
It is not appropriate to use italics to emphasise gennouns. There are other ways to emphasis a gennoun as set-out in Division-13.
Rule 5.3:
It is not appropriate to use italics for gennouns that originate from languages other than English. Whatever the original source of the word might be, the word should be presented in normal text (uara). For example the scientific name for the human species is: ‘Homo Sapiens’ which comes from the language known as: ‘Latin’. It matters not what the origin of the gennoun might be, it is still being presented as part of the formal printed text. However, it is appropriate to use italics for gennouns that would appear in italics if the original gennoun is Standard English. For example: ‘Gone with the Wind is a film released in 11939 (HE), Quo Vadis is a film released in 11951(HE)’.
Rule 3.6:
If there is a desire to convey doubt, then formal printed text should use the actual word: ‘quote’ and the actual word: ‘unquote’. For example, ‘A fraudster who gets caught is (quote) unlucky (unquote).’
Rule 3.7:
Words should be enclosed within speech marks if they are actually spoken or written, or conceivably spoken or written, or actually thought, or conceivably thought. Examples include:
‘Once more unto the breach dear friends …’, (from Henry V by William Shakespeare).
‘‘‘Should I actually kiss this frog?’’ wondered the princess.’, (from the tales compiled by The Brothers Grimm).
and
People might wonder: ‘‘Where did he get the money from?’’.’, (no attribution).
Here is a further example:
Winston Churchill made a speech in which he referred to ‘… an iron curtain…’. Because Winston Churchill spoke those words, those words appear within speech marks. Nevertheless, The Iron Curtain is a concept, and therefore, (in accordance with Rule 3.5), the name of that concept does not appear within speech marks.
Proposed additional divisions (non-exhaustive)
Division-6
General Rules for Punctuation within Formal Printed Text
Rule
Hyphenation of adjectives
Division-7
General Rules for Presenting Symbols within Formal Printed Text
Rule 7.1:
For the purposes of The Croydon Convention™, ‘a symbol’ is defined as:
‘A letter, figure, or sign, that represents a full gennoun.’
Rule 7.1(a)
A punctuation mark is not a symbol (in this context). For rules concerning punctuation please refer to Division-6 (above).
Rule 7.1(b)
An abbreviation is not a symbol. For the rules concerning abbreviations please refer to Division-8 (below).
Rule 7.1(c)
Examples of symbols shall include, (but shall not be limited to):
Digits (0 to 9), ampersands (‘&’), letters from other languages, for example ‘ ’, emojis, for example ‘J’, recognised representations, for example ‘£’, letters from the roman alphabet used as if they were symbols, for example ‘a’.
Rule 7.2
There are various features of symbols that do not apply to normal letters. For example, some symbols cannot be capitalised. Symbols which can be capitalised might change their meaning if capitalisation is applied. For example: ‘e’ can be used to represent a mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.718. However, ‘E’ is recognised in Physics as representing the phenomenon of Energy.
Rule 7.2(a)
The presentation of symbols will follow the rules of the convention, unless those rules are superseded by the rules set-out below in this division. That is: rules 7.3 through to 7.x.
Rule 7.3
If it is possible to capitalise a symbol, but to do so would change the meaning, (for example ‘e’ does not mean the same as ‘E’), then the requirement to communicate set-out in Rule-2.1 will supersede any requirement to capitalise, or to treat in any other way, for example a requirement to italicise.
Rule 7.4
The Croydon Convention™ is completely neutral on the question of whether to use digits or written words. For example, (in terms of communication) the gennoun: ‘There are sixty minutes in an hour.’, is neither preferred to nor disfavoured to the gennoun: ‘There are 60 minutes in an hour.’. This principle applies to all numbers that can be expressed in digital form. For example, the convention permits the gennoun: ‘Five people’, and equally permits the gennoun: ‘5 people’.
Rule 7.4(a)
In view of the neutrality of the convention, as set-out in Rule-7.4 (above), beholders of formal written text, (for example, publishers), are free to establish their own standards about what principles they wish to apply when considering the use of digits versus words.
Rule 7.5
When presenting numerical information, the requirements of Rule-2.1,(‘Communication is paramount’), should be used as a guide to presentation of numerical information. For example the common-era date: ‘1984’ (11984 HE), would not normally be presented as: ‘nineteen-eighty-four’ (uara). In the case of a composition written by George Orwell another rule does apply, because we have authoritatively been informed that the title of that book is: ‘Nineteen Eighty Four’. It would also be wrong to present the year 11984 HE as: ‘11,984 HE’. It may be true that before that particular year began, there have been 11,983 completed years since the start of The Human Era. Nevertheless, to refer to that year as: ’11,984 HE’ is likely to hinder communication, which is contrary to the requirements of Rule-2.1.
Rule 7.5(a)
The use of commas within numerical information is required (uara). As explained in Rule-7.5 (above), Rule-7.5 will be superseded in special circumstances, such as numerical references to years. However, unless Rule-7.5(a) is superseded, the requirement is that when moving three places to the left of the decimal point, and also three places to the right of the decimal point then the digits should be separated by commas. For example, ‘ten-million’, would be presented as: ’10,000,000’, whilst the approximate value of π would be presented as: ‘3.142,15’. The requirement of this convention to use commas both to the left and to the right of the decimal point, will be criticised by those who favour tradition. However, Rule-2.1 is paramount within this convention. The use of commas in both directions aids communication.
Rule 7.5(b)
In order to be consistent with Rule-7.5, the requirements in Rule-7.5(a) will be superseded in various special circumstances. Circumstances where Rule-7.5(a) is superseded will include, (but shall not be limited to):
Bank account number,
Sort codes,
Telephone numbers,
and
Internal business references.
Rule 7.5(c)
In cases where Rule-7.5(a) has been superseded by Rule 7.5(b), the presentation should be the presentation that is most easily understood as required by Rule-2.1. For example, the format of bank account numbers will be: ‘12345678’ (or whatever), whilst the format for sort codes will be: ‘00-00-00’, and so on.
Rule 7.6
A cardinal number is a number presented in the usual format, for example: ‘1, 2, 3, 4 …’. An ordinal number is a number that presents an order, for example: ‘1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th …’. To aid communication Rule 7.5(a) applies to both cardinal and ordinal numbers. For example, the four-thousand-six-hundred-and-eighty-third person to apply for a concert ticket would be presented as: ‘… the 4,683rd person.
Rule 7.7
When writing digital-numbers in word-format, the numbers are written as they would be spoken, and at the same time presented with hyphens throughout the gennoun in order to indicate that the worded presentation refers to one single number. This principle applies to both cardinal and ordinal numbers. For example: ‘twenty-six-thousand-five-hundred-and-thirty-six (26,536)’ or ‘The Twenty-Fifth Amendment to The Constitution of The United States of America’.
Rule 7.8
The requirement of Rule-2.1, (communication is paramount), necessarily means that large and complex numbers should be presented as digits whenever it is possible to do so. Thus: ‘fourteen’ is just as easy to understand as ‘14’, but a number such as The Plank Constant (6.626 x 10-34 m2kg/s), would be virtually unreadable if written out in words. In order to present The Planck Constant in words would contravene Rule-2.1.
Division-8
General Rules for the Use of Abbreviations within Formal Printed Text
Rule
Division-9
General Rules for Attaching Prefixes within Formal Printed Text
Rule
Division-10
General Rules for Attaching Suffixes within Formal Printed Text
Rule
Division-11
General Rules for Verbal Formatting (itgs) within Formal Printed Text
Rule-11.1:
If a gennoun is a repetition of what has already been presented then it should appear within quotation marks, to indicate that the words are not original. Rule-11.1 is a rule-tane.
Rule-11.2:
Rule-11.1 clearly applies to quotations, but it applies to a great many other things as well. Any expression which is, either spoken, written, thought or conceived, should be identified by the use of quotation marks. For example: The section of The Croydon Convention™ that you are now reading has been headed: ‘Division-11’. The use of quotation marks in the previous sentence around the division reference is required because there is a repetition of the heading that has already been used for this part of the convention.
Rule-11.3:
Whenever a gennoun is quoted the entire quote should be included within the quotation marks. This includes any punctuation, for example: ‘HELP!’, he cried includes an exclamation mark, within the quotation. Rule-11.3 is a rule-tane.
Rule-11.4:
It follows from Rule-11.3, that any quotation included within the text is part of a freely-written sentence. Accordingly, the sentence being composed by the writer should apply standard punctuation. For example: Tommy said: ‘I am going to the park.’, is a statement made by Tommy. The comma after the closing quotation mark is part of the wording within the convention. It is therefore a requirement of The Croydon Convention™ that, (if necessary), a sentence stopper, (for example a full stop), should appear at the end of a quoted gennoun, and also at the end of a freely written sentence. For example earlier on, it was reported that Tommy used the sentence: ‘I am going to the park.’. Tommy has finished the sentence with the word: ‘park’, and so there is a full stop after ‘park’. The example quoted is a sentence which finishes with a closing quotation mark (’), and so there is an additional full stop after the closing quotation mark. This might not be the traditional approach, but it is a logical approach. Accordingly, Rule-11.4, is a rule-tane.
Rule-11.5:
Simple quotations will have one pair of single raised-apostrophes (‘) and (’). This is a rule-tane.
Rule-11.6:
Quotations within quotations will be identified with one pair of two raised-apostrophes (‘‘) and (’’). Rule-11.6 is a rule-tane. For example: ‘Jenny reported, mother said to me: ‘‘Make sure you are home by teatime.’’. Jenny then checked her watch.’.
Rule-11.6(a):
Every time a quotation is included within a quotation, the pair of raised-apostrophes increases by one for both the opening and closing of the quotation. In theory, (although hardly ever in practice), there could be ten (or more) opening raised-apostrophes, followed by a quote, followed by ten closing raised-apostrophes. Rule-11.6(a) is a rule-tane.
Rule-11.7:
If a quotation consists of more than one paragraph, then (in theory) the quotation continues until all of the quotation is finished. Thus, the closing quotation marks are only required at the end of the quotation. Accordingly, (in theory) there is no need to start a new paragraph with quotation marks. However, it is useful to the reader to be reminded that what they are reading is a quotation. Accordingly, it aids communication if each paragraph within a quotation starts with quotation marks, containing the appropriate number of raised-apostrophes. Each paragraph within the quotation should begin with the appropriately-styled quotation mark, but the paragraph does not end with any quotation mark of any sort unless the end of the paragraph is also the end of the quotation. Because this approach aids communication, Rule-11.7 is a rule-tane.
Rule-11.8:
If a gennoun is quoted then the repetition must be faithful. That is to say: ‘It must be an exact repetition.’. The requirement to be an exact repletion includes any spelling, grammar or punctuation errors made in the original expression. This rule applies even if the original expression does not conform to The Croydon Convention™. Rule-11.8 is a rule-tane.
Rule-11.8(a):
It is permitted, (but not required), to append the denotation: ‘(sic)’. The use of the denotation: ‘(sic)’ informs the beholder that the writer is aware of the error, but the writerhas nevertheless complied with Rule-11.8. The reason why the use of this denotation is permitted, but not required, is because a writer only complies with The Croydon Convention™ if they faithfully reproduce the original expression.
Rule-11.8(b):
Provide that the conditions specified by Rule-11.8(b) have been complied with, a writer is permitted to convey the sense of what is being said, without producing an exact replica of the original expression. However, if the writer chooses to do this then they must indicate that the reproduction is not precise, so that the reader is aware of that fact. This can be done by using the denotation: ‘(paraphrased)’ immediately before the supposed quote. Rule-11.8(b) is a rule-tane. It is then permitted to provide the quote within quotation marks, subject to the overriding requirements of Rule-11.8(c).
Rule-11.8(c):
If a quote is paraphrased, then the meaning of the original expression must not be changed in any way. For example the use of the word: ‘men’ might be considered to be politically incorrect, because that word is not gender-neutral. So, for example, Neil Armstrong broadcast to The World: ‘It is one small step for a man. One giant leap for mankind.’. This expression can be reproduced as: (paraphrased) ‘It is one small step for a person. One giant leap for Humankind.’. The Croydon Convention™ permits this type of rephrasing because (a) it is stated that it has been paraphrased, and (b) because the sense of Neil Armstrong’s original words has not been changed. Rule-11.8(c) is a rule-tane. If a writer quotes what has already been said, then it is not permitted to change the sense of the original expression.
Division-12
General Rules for Pronunciation of Words and Phrases Used within Formal Printed Text
Rule
Division-13
General Rules for Emphasising (or Underplaying) Gennouns within Formal Printed Text
Rule-13.1:
When presenting formal printed text, there might be a desire on the part of the writer to place emphasis on a particular word or phrase. The use of emphasis is encouraged. This is because, (in accordance with Rule-2.1), the primary purpose of communication is to communicate. Emphasis can help with the purpose of communication. The same principle applies if a gennoun is to be underplayed.
Rule-13.2:
The idea is to imagine that the message being communicated in a formal printed medium is being read out-loud. If the verbal presentation would require emphasis, then it is appropriate, (and even desirable) to emphasise written words within the text. Similarly, presentation should display when words are spoken more softly than usual, because of the comparative unimportance.
Rule-13.3:
The type of emphasis would depend upon the purpose of that emphasis. The guidance is to imagine the text being read out-loud. The presentation within the text should then mimic the sound of the voice if reading aloud.
Rule-13.3(a):
If a word or phrase is especially important it might be spoken very slowly and deliberately. Such gennouns can be emphasised by underlining. For example: ‘It is not a good idea to drink bleach.’.
Rule-13.3(b):
Sometimes a word might need to be emphasised without changing the delivery of the spoken word. In such cases the emphasis can be demonstrated using an emboldened type face. For example: ‘After discussing Point-A, it is now necessary to look more closely at Point-B.’.
Rule-13.3(c):
On occasions the spoken word might be SHOUTED. The use of block capitals can imply shouting.
Rule-13.4
To underplay a gennoun the convention requires, (if technically possible), to use an alternative font, ideally of a slightly smaller size. This can be useful, for example, when provided stage directions in a drama. For example, if the default text of the drama is: Times-New-Roman-12-Point. Then stage directions can be displayed in, (for instance), Arial-10-Point.
Division-14
General Rules for Creating Plurals within Formal Printed Text
Rule
Division-15
General Rules for Spelling within Formal Printed Text
Rule
Division-16
General Rules for Correct and Incorrect Word-Usage within Formal Printed Text
Rule-16.1:
Whether the use of words is correct or incorrect will inevitably be a subjective issue. For example, is it correct to say: ‘Can you borrow me this book?’?
Rule-16.2:
Whilst it would be impossible to objectively state that the usage of a word is either correct or incorrect, it is recognised that traditions can develop which will make certain examples of word-usage sound as if they are either correct or incorrect. For example, the generally accepted way to ask the aforementioned question would be to ask: ‘Can you lend me this book?’. Thus, the question: ‘Can you borrow me this book?’, would sound wrong to most people.
Rule-16.3:
In view of the practical difficulties of establishing rules for word-usage, The Croydon Convention™ does not expressly state that word-usage is either right or wrong. However, writers are encouraged to use traditional words and phrasing because this aids communication, which is the expressly stated requirement of Rule-2.1, which overrides all other rules within the convention.
Rule-16.4:
Beholders of formal written text, (for example, publishers), are free to establish their own standards about what word-usage is acceptable. For example, The Croydon Convention™ does not prevent a writer from saying: ‘The team in second place in a league table, has less points than the team in first place.’. However, a publisher is free, (if they so choose), to require such a sentence to be re-written with the phrase: ‘… has less points than …’, replaced with the phrase: ‘… has fewer points than …’. This is a matter for the publisher, it is not a matter for the convention. Accordingly, a writer is permitted, (under the rules of the convention), to use the phrase: ‘… has less points than …’, but is equally permitted to use the phrase: ‘… has fewer points than …’. Nevertheless, writers are encouraged to, (but not required to), use the traditional phrase: ‘… has fewer points than …’, because the tradition aids communication, which is a requirement established under Rule-2.1.