Tp8: Literary Documents

Novels and short stories 

Novels and short stories are usually typed double-spaced on one side of A4 paper with wide margins and with either indented or blocked paragraphs. 

Poems 

Poems are generally typed in the following way (though the poet may specify a different layout): 

• centred horizontally and left justified; 

• title centred in capitals or initial caps; 

• each new line of the poem begins on a new line and starts with a capital letter; 

• the poet’s name may be typed underneath the title or at the end of the poem, one clear line space below the last line of the poem and set to the right. 

Plays Playwrights usually follow a set of guidelines or rules, but formatting may vary according to the type of play or script and individual preference. Plays are typed on A4 paper using one side only for printing 

How to type a play 

• Use lettersize or A4 paper. 

• Top and bottom margins should be about 1 inch. 

• Right margin is always 1 inch; left margin if binding is approximately 1.5 inches. 

• Page numbering starts on page 2 and page numbers are placed in the upper right-hand corner of the header. 

• Do not number the cast list page 

Actors’ scripts

An actor’s script is a document prepared for each actor that clearly distinguishes his or her words and actions from the other characters so that it is easy to see when the actor has to speak. The speaker’s words and actions may be coloured to distinguish them from the rest of the play or cast, or may be typed in bold or in a larger font size.

How to type a script

• Type on one side of the paper only.

• Use double spacing between lines and below speeches and stage directions as this allows the script to be read more easily.

• Clearly number the pages at the top right or bottom middle.

• A common approach is to type the text centred, with line spaces between each speech.

• Scripts are often typed in 12 pt Courier font.