Ruled paper

Ruled paper (or lined paper) is writing paper that typically consists of horizontal lines meant to separate lines of hand-written text, and vertical lines meant to provide margins or to act as tab stops.

A popular alternative to lined paper is graph paper (or, grid paper). It is a grid layout in which horizontal and vertical lines are equally spaced, dividing the page into squares.

Generic types

There are many types of ruled paper. Lines are drawn on paper according to the needs of the users. Some types of ruled paper are for calligraphy, making graphs, or writing music, whereas others are for teaching students how to write in a particular language or script, etc.

The type of ruling is not typically tied to any particular paper size. Instead, it is usually determined by the purpose, style of handwriting, and/or the language being written.

Lines on ruled paper are typically used as guidelines to help the user keep their writing or drawing consistent with a predetermined set of rules. Some generic categories of lined paper are as follows:

• Notebook paper (or Writing paper, Filler paper) is typically used for handwriting. It is produced in different layouts and sizes. The specific size and layout is determined by the need or region. The layout usually consists of evenly-spaced horizontal lines with vertical lines drawn to indicate [margin]s, the middle of the page, or sections of a line. The number of vertical lines varies by region. (see below)
• Graph paper is used for drafting, drawing, etc.
  • Quadrille ruled paper (colloquially, "quad paper") has horizontal and vertical lines which are both evenly-spaced over the entire page, creating a grid of squares. These evenly-spaced squares help to keep things lined up. In addition to creating graphs and diagrams, students often use graph paper to help keep numbers in columns when doing manual operations such as long division or long multiplication.
  • Semi-log ruled paper is similar to quadrille ruled, except the horizontal lines are drawn according to the logarithmic scale, and so the lines are not evenly spaced.^[1]
  • log-log ruled paper is similar to quadrille ruled, except that both the horizontal and vertical lines are drawn according to the logarithmic scale.
• Music manuscript paper is used when handwriting music. The most basic page is laid out with a series of five-line staves, each spanning the width of the page. Any musical notation (clefs, bars, notes, etc.) may be written in as desired by the artist. As notebook paper is to the written word, music manuscript paper is to the written score.

Regional standards

France

In France, in order to foster handwriting discipline, the type of ruling used on paper in schools is determined by the French government^{[citation needed]}: Heavy horizontal lines are drawn 8 mm (appx. 5/16 in) apart, with three lighter lines 2 mm (appx. 5/64 in) apart in between each pair of heavy lines. Heavy vertical lines are drawn, spaced 8 mm (appx. 5/16 in) apart, beginning 16 mm (appx. 5/8 in) from the left-hand edge of the page.^[2]

This is also known as Seyès Ruling.^[3]

New Zealand

In 1984, Standards New Zealand instituted an official standard for school stationery which specified standards for ruled and unruled paper.

United States

In the United States, ruled paper is available in a variety of semi-standardized formats:

• Wide ruled (or Legal ruled) paper has 11/32 in (8.7 mm) spacing between horizontal lines, with a vertical margin drawn about 1-1/4 in (31.75 mm) from the left-hand edge of the page. It is commonly used by American children in grade school, as well as by those with larger handwriting.
• Medium ruled (or College ruled) paper has 9/32 in (7.1 mm) spacing between horizontal lines, with a vertical margin drawn about 1-1/4 in (31.75 mm) from the left-hand edge of the page. Its use is very common in the United States.
• Narrow ruled paper has 1/4 in (6.35 mm) spacing between ruling lines, and is used by those with smaller handwriting or to fit more lines per page.
• Gregg ruled paper has ruling specialized for stenography. It has 11/32 in (8.7 mm) spacing between ruling lines, with a single margin drawn down the center of the page.
• Pittman ruled paper has ruling specialized for stenography. It has 1/2 in (12.7 mm)spacing between ruling lines.
• Manuscript ruled paper is used to teach young children how to write. A blank sheet consists of rows of three lines (the space between them depends on the age group being taught) with the middle line in each three-line set being dotted. The D'Nealian writing style is a well-known teaching method that makes use of this type of paper ruling. Another educational institution, A Beka Book, utilizes this ruling along with a house metaphor (upstairs, downstairs, and basement) to help young children learn where parts of each letter should be written. The usage is similar in concept to the use of the horizontal lines on French Seyès rule paper.

References

1. ^ "Semi-log Plots". http://www.umd.umich.edu/casl/natsci/slc/slconline/SEMI/. Retrieved 2008-03-27. 
2. ^ "Clairefontaine Stationery". http://www.pendemonium.com/stationery.htm#clairefontaine. Retrieved 2008-03-26. 
3. ^ "Seyès Ruling (a.k.a. French Ruling)". http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=792. Retrieved 2008-03-26. 

External links

• Printable Lined Paper is a tool which can create ruled(lined) paper which you can print for free.
• Incompetech can generate PDF files of graph and ruled paper with customizable spacing and sizes.
• writingpaper.py is a Python script that can create French-ruled paper without the vertical lines.