Using Ideograms in writing: From Arabic numbers to the modern text Emojis

[W_L]

When I was in High School and University, we were taught to avoid using ideograms in formal writing. We were taught to write our numbers like one, two, and three instead of "1, 2, and 3", or represent concepts like "and" without "&". However, I've noticed that in modern published writing and even "valued academic" pieces, ideograms are showing up everywhere. 

In story-writing, it's up to the author's personal preference, but I do wonder how far can a writer use ideograms. 

Can I create an entire story based on custom-created Emoji's for instance? It's artistic and conveys a story based on the changing Emoji representing emotion and surrounding conditions. 

Just wanted to have a fun writers' conversation on this subject.

   😟 🚣‍♂️

Edited November 21, 2024 by W_L

[lawfulneutralmage]

Old style for me. But I am old...

[Krista]

23 hours ago, W_L said:

When I was in High School and University, we were taught to avoid using ideograms in formal writing. We were taught to write our numbers like one, two, and three instead of "1, 2, and 3", or represent concepts like "and" without "&". However, I've noticed that in modern published writing and even "valued academic" pieces, ideograms are showing up everywhere. 

In story-writing, it's up to the author's personal preference, but I do wonder how far can a writer use ideograms. 

Can I create an entire story based on custom-created Emoji's for instance? It's artistic and conveys a story based on the changing Emoji representing emotion and surrounding conditions. 

Just wanted to have a fun writers' conversation on this subject.

   😟 🚣‍♂️

Oh, no ick. That is one of my bigger pet peeves when I'm reading. I like my numbers to be written, and not numerical. I don't want to see symbols and I will DNF the use of Emojis real quick.  

Funnily, me and wildthing was having a conversation about this, discussing the rule. It seems there are multiple views on the subject, at least as far as numbers are concerned. Consistency seems to be the hard and fast rule. If you start out doing it one way, keep with that decision. But, know I will cringe when I'm reading along, and I see numerical representation or anything that's not written out - unless it is included in a brand, A&W Rootbeer, 7Eleven, BMW 8-Series, etc. 

[lawfulneutralmage]

I have been taught to write out numbers till 12 (why, no idea), above that to use numbers, But never ever emojis. When the characters use them, I described it as "<heartemoji>". What is actually the "official" why of using emojis? Anybody here with a degree in writing?

[CassieQ]

On 11/22/2024 at 1:09 AM, lawfulneutralmage said:

I have been taught to write out numbers till 12 (why, no idea), above that to use numbers, But never ever emojis. When the characters use them, I described it as "<heartemoji>". What is actually the "official" why of using emojis? Anybody here with a degree in writing?

I was told to write out numbers up to 20.  But it's easier for me to just keep writing them out.  I used an exception for one story.  

[Krista]

On 11/22/2024 at 1:09 AM, lawfulneutralmage said:

I have been taught to write out numbers till 12 (why, no idea), above that to use numbers, But never ever emojis. When the characters use them, I described it as "<heartemoji>". What is actually the "official" why of using emojis? Anybody here with a degree in writing?

That was one of the rules I read, the other one was more in-depth. But, honestly, what's the difference in spelling out eleven compared with twelve, or thirty-five. lol. Another one leaned towards writing numbers out that are simplified, and then using numerals for difficult: 18,876 or something. Eighteen thousand eight hundred and seventy six is a full sentence, to be fair.