- Joined
- May 1, 2006
- Messages
- 374
- Reaction score
- 75
I'm writing a historical biography. The subject, let's say John Smith, starts out surrounded by a large family, then gradually moves out on his own.
Normally I'd refer to him "Smith." But with lots of other Smiths to talk about at the beginning, it makes more sense to call him "John," to make clear who I mean.
Gradually, there's less about his family and more about him. Then he gets married and has children, producing more confusing people with the same last name.
What's typical in formal writing? Should I call all the Smiths by first names throughout, and call others by their last name?
That's what I'm doing now and it's simple and clear, but is there any rule or tradition against calling subjects by their first name in formal writing?
Normally I'd refer to him "Smith." But with lots of other Smiths to talk about at the beginning, it makes more sense to call him "John," to make clear who I mean.
Gradually, there's less about his family and more about him. Then he gets married and has children, producing more confusing people with the same last name.
What's typical in formal writing? Should I call all the Smiths by first names throughout, and call others by their last name?
That's what I'm doing now and it's simple and clear, but is there any rule or tradition against calling subjects by their first name in formal writing?
