White Space

I’ve considered writing about white space for a while. I thought it might be useful. I never dreamed it would be so much fun.

I started by looking at what others have to say about white space. First, the standard definitions. Merriam Webster defines white space as “the areas of a page without print or pictures”. Pretty basic. Collins’ definition is similarly uninspired: “the portions of a printed page that lack text, illustrations, etc. and are therefore blank.” 

I was looking for something more. I found this description: “In design, white space is … not blank space because it has a purpose…The white space helps focus your visual attention.” Here’s another: “White space is a design principle…The absence of text draws your eye to the text.”  

These two descriptions made me think. We can use white space to provide emphasis, while adding style to the rather mundane formats called for in many proposal guidelines. White space can provide clarity and visual relief to busy readers, whose gratitude for your help might cause them to give your proposal a second look. 

Here are some ideas.

• Use bullets, judiciously, to break up narrative writing. 
• Keep your paragraphs short. My limit used to be 12 lines. Now, it’s 6-8 lines or less, if possible.
• A table might help the reviewer quickly understand, for example, an implementation plan or summary of project staff and their roles. 
• Try 1.5” line spacing. I like this look, especially for people who are voluntarily reading your document. 
• You might then decide it’s ok to reduce the font (11.5) and margins (0.9”). Like in this article!
• Keep your sentences tight to create more white space. 
• Be creative. Try a one-sentence paragraph to get attention and add emphasis, perhaps as the final line of your proposal.

Finally, one writer described other benefits to white space: “It’s as underrated as silence between musical notes…White space calms us, letting us breathe.” 

I love this!