[Tex/LaTex] Variable white space between paragraphs

paragraphsspacing

I am having trouble finding out why the white space between my paragraphs is variable. Sorry, I am not allowed to post images but sometimes there is no white space (like it should be), just an indent to denote that a new paragraph has started. While sometimes the paragraphs start with an indent AND there is (sometimes substantial and thus variable) white space between the last sentence of the previous paragraph and the first sentence of the new paragraph.

In my tex file, there is no difference between what I do in the first and second examples of my text: just two hard returns to denote the start of a new paragraph. I was wondering whether it could be due to placement of figures and footnotes but I have no idea how to change it. I don't mind a little variable white space between paragraphs but the above example is too extreme for my taste. Thanks for your advice!

Best Answer

In general, spacing is variable in TeX, that is the reason why you use it.

First, make sure that you did not force latex to break lines or put objects in non-ideal positions. One possibility is using [H] specifier for floats as mentioned by egreg.

However, if there are extreme spacing you can modify the limits and the bahaviour of typesetting. You may use \raggedbottom if you want to move extra whitespaces to the bottom of the page instead of spreading it through the page. You may also change penalties and limits to let latex to break paragraphs and other items between pages and result in a more compact document. Check this page if you really want to squeeze spaces in Latex.

However, it is always better to post a minimum working example of your problem.

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[Tex/LaTex] paragraph design and single lines

I think that's rather simple, use the parskip package, it will take care of that automatically as well as of a host of other (more intricate) spacing problems to have a visually appealing document. :)

[Tex/LaTex] Changing vertical space between paragraphs globally

I'd still use the parskip package and try to sort out problems regarding lists and individual indented paragraphs, but you may change the length \medskipamount which is used by \medskip. (In the following example, I'm changing \medskipamount in the document body for demonstration purposes -- you should modify it in the preamble.)

\documentclass{article}

\begin{document}

Some text.

\medskip

Some text.

\setlength{\medskipamount}{12pt plus 4pt minus 4pt}% Default: 6pt plus 2pt minus 2pt

\medskip

Some text.

\end{document}

As Ulrike Fischer suggested, you may also define a dedicated command to be used between paragraphs:

\documentclass{article}

\newcommand*{\myparskip}{\vspace{\medskipamount}}

\begin{document}

Some text.

\myparskip

Some text.

\renewcommand*{\myparskip}{\vspace{\bigskipamount}}

\myparskip

Some text.

\end{document}

Output for both variants:

enter image description here

Best Answer

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[Tex/LaTex] paragraph design and single lines

[Tex/LaTex] Changing vertical space between paragraphs globally

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