Interlude: Fonts, Authorship, and Apps
I recently read an article about a feud over a font type. The US State Department recently changed from using a traditional serif font to a more modern sans serif font. Apparently, this change "ruffled feathers" among staff. But this change will make the documents more accessible for people who use screen readers—and more readable for everyone.
I recommend this same change to scientific and medical authors. A sans serif font, such as Helvetica or Arial, will make your writing easier to read than a serif font, such as Times New Roman. But if a journal or funding agency specifically requests a serif font, then I write and edit in my preferred font and then change the font right before submission.
What's my favorite font? Helvetica. A graphic designer convinced me to switch to this font, and I've been a fan ever since. But Arial comes in at a close second.
I encourage you to also make the switch to using a sans serif font by default. And while you're changing the font, change the text from justified to left-aligned as well. Left-aligned text is much easier to read than justified text.
And now onto the good stuff...
💌 Round-up
💻 From My Desk
Spot the Difference Between Formally and Formerly
A member of the Redwood Ink community reached out to me about writing an article on the difference between the words "formerly" and "formally." I love to help and happily obliged. Do you have a topic in mind that you’d like me to write about? Hit reply and let me know!
👓 Reading
Unearned authorship pervades science
"Around 69% of researchers based in Europe and roughly 55% in the United States said that they were aware of co-authors being listed who hadn’t contributed sufficiently..."
Not sure if an author contributed sufficiently? Check out the recommendations from the ISMPP Authorship Task Force.
🧰 Tools
Papers
One of my clients recently introduced me to the Papers app. This app has powerful features to help you find, organize, read, annotate, cite, and share scholarly literature.
💭 Thoughts
To editors and reviewers, all drafts are first drafts.
📝 Challenge
Go into Word and change the default font to a sans serif font, such as Helvetica or Arial. Then you will automatically use that font whenever you create a new document.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
