Many young news writers - and some veterans as well - struggle to remember the basic rule for numbers: when to use numerals, and when to spell them out. People seem to have an especially hard time with 10: They know it's the cutoff; they just can't remember whether it's spelled out.
Here's the easy way to remember: Spell out single-digit numbers; use numerals for anything larger.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 ...
And don't forget that there are exceptions, such as not starting sentences with numerals, and using numerals for age, except at the start of sentences. There are way more exceptions, which is all the better reason to buy a copy of the AP Stylebook and consult it frequently.
© Holly A. Heyser
