Reporting and writing about issues involving race calls for thoughtful consideration, precise language, and an openness to discussions with others of diverse backgrounds about how to frame coverage or what language is most appropriate, accurate and fair. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style. Updated regularly since its initial publication in 1953, the ap stylebook is a musthave reference for writers, editors, students and professionals. Follow these associated press guidelines for the u. In most instances, our style is based on the associated press ap stylebook. A manual of style, grammar, usage, and formatting by william a. Here you will find a summary of some ap guidelines that relate directly to hometown news. The classic, practical spiralbound edition now is published every other year. The following guidelines are rules set out in the ap stylebook for ap style book titles, computer game titles, ap style movie titles, opera titles, play titles, poem titles, album titles, ap style song titles, radio and television titles, and the titles of lectures, speeches, and work of art. Learning state names was hard enough, but now you need to memorize the ap style state name abbreviations. Abbreviate all other states as they are listed on our ap style state abbreviations page. In addition to the associated press stylebook hereafter called the ap stylebook, colorado state communications specialists also consult other sources, including the gregg reference manual. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide.
Wellknown acronyms and common abbreviations of names should be. Spell out and lowercase representative and senator in all other uses. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference for most forms of publicfacing corporate communication over the last halfcentury. When citing the main book, include only the name of the book author in the intext citation. Associated press style cheat sheet andrews university. Montclair state university communications style guide and ap style. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used in answers. There is no comma between a state and the zip code in an address listing. In sentence case, most major and minor words are lowercase proper nouns are an exception in that they are always capitalized. For detailed guidance, check out our composition titles entry in the stylebook or on stylebook online.
For reference books, newspapers, and magazine names, they should not be placed in quotations. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. Postal service abbreviations for states unless you. In the example, byock wrote a new foreword to the book by kublerross. Any change involves a great deal of debate, discussion and, in many cases, consultations with others within the ap and outside the ap. The change is being made to be consistent in our style for domestic and international.
Abbreviate state names of seven or more letters when used with a city name, with. As ap has added entries over the years, the stylebook has grown more useful and comprehensive but also more daunting. The highway patrol chased the robbery suspect on route 27 at speeds of 110 mph before he was stopped three miles from the state line. This guide also includes references specific to sweet briar, such as named places and organizations. Mar 22, 2021 the ap stylebook is a writing style guide for journalists. You should always spell out alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas, and utah. Associated press stylebook and briefing on media law. If im talking about a book, i want people to recognize the title. Titles ap style follows specific guidelines for titles.
Improve your writing with this cheat sheet for the associated press ap style. Ap style provides guidelines for grammar and citations in news writing. Associated press style guide hometown newsmaker guide. Your favorite author, director, or musician isnt likely to write you an angry letter over incorrect style usage when it comes to their art. The first is that using the full united states of america is usually not necessary in most writing. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook. For slide presentations of ap style basics, go here.
There are eight states that should never be abbreviated in text or datelines. Ap does not capitalize or abbreviate professor before a name. Writers style guide colorado state university extension. Ap stylebook, 55th edition spiralbound print published in 2020, the 55th edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law includes more than 200 new or revised entries, with chapters covering data journalism, business, religion and sports terms, as well as media law, news values, punctuation, social media and. Spell out the names of the 50 states when they stand alone in the. Here are the correct spelling and capitalization rules for some common technological terms. Write measurements, proper names and organization names. Ap style book titles to kill a mockingbird the magicians nephew of mice and men ap style movie titles saving private ryan trouble with the curve the dark knight rises ap style song titles stairway to heaven hey jude good vibrations.
The associated press stylebook ap style doesnt recommend italicizing any words, including the names of boats or ships. Associated press style quick reference guide to subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the book, start here. A formal title is different, however, from a simple occupational description. Ap stylebook, 55th edition spiralbound print published in 2020, the 55th edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law includes more than 200 new or revised entries, with chapters covering data journalism, business, religion and sports terms, as well as media law, news values, punctuation, social media and polls and surveys, plus a new chapter on digital security for journalists. This means you must check to find out the proper name. For all titles in ap style, there is no underlining or italicizing. A primer on ap style t he ap stylebook is the second most important book you will use as a journalist, after a dictionary. You can use cmos, ap, another style or a mix but be consistent within one book, blog, website, letter, email or article. Abbreviations united states as a noun, united states. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. It wouldnt be ap style without an exception or two. Place titles of books, movies, operas, poems, songs, works of art, and video games in quotation marks. Abbreviate the states when they are coupled with the name of a city, town or village.
The following quick reference is taken from the associated press stylebook and libel. The ap stylebook, also known by its full name the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law, is an americanenglish grammar style and usage guide created by american journalists working for or connected with the associated press. Feb 12, 2008 in ap style, the names of newspapers and magazines are not italicized or set off in quotation marks. First published in 1953, it became the gold standard of good writing and superlative journalistic performance. Capitalize the principal words in the names of books. There are a few guiding ap style rules to memorize, but keep a hard copy or online version of the book handy for reference when other questions emerge. The stylebook offers a basic reference to americanenglish grammar, punctuation and principle. Currently, most state names are abbreviated in stories. Ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a.
When writing about taxes, there are some basic ap style rules you should know about. Do not capitalize prepositions, conjunctions, or articles in titles of books. Every writer is expected to be familiar with the ap style. Italicize titles and subtitles of published books, including catalogs of reference materials. But even for many of us who have used the stylebook for. Jack gillespie, rowan university, purdue university writing lab and ap stylebook page 1 ap stylebook guidelines the ap style items below represent the journalistic style errors most often found in news stories.
Select the sentence that is free of errors in ap style for capitalization, addresses and abbreviations in broadcast copy. Jun 18, 2019 what is the thought process at the ap behind making changes to longstanding style rules like the change to writing out state names in datelines, for example. When writing about the government of the united states of america there are some basic rules to follow. Associated press style essentials this ap short guide is. States always spell out state names within a document when they stand alone. Of books, computer games, movies, operas, plays, poems, songs, television. Sep 04, 2019 abbreviate state names of seven or more letters when used with a city name, with commas before and after the abbreviation. Like the english language, there are exceptions to many of the rules, but a few of the oftenused ap style standards include. Navy style guide, which follows most ap style recommendations, doesnt recommend italicizing the names of ships or boats, either. You must register and have a current subscription to access ap.
Ap style holds that formal titles should be capitalized when they appear directly in front of one or more names. The prime minister left for the united states yesterday. Those are alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. When states are used in copy in conjunction with a city, you may use the ap style abbreviation. Capitalize the principal words, including prepositions and conjunctions of four or more letters. States spell out the names of the states in text when they appear alone. Ap associated press stylebook is today accepted as one of the main stylebooks of the englishspeaking world. Abbreviate junior or senior directly after a name, with no comma to set it off. Abbreviate names of states when used after the names of cities and towns, but. Then provide the name of the person who wrote the foreword, introduction, or other new part, in parentheses, after the word with. Books, movies, recordings, television shows, and similar works. States whose names are short, rather five or less than five letters should not be abbreviated. Register to view your products, order status, shipment trackings and manage your account settings. Use the following guidelines to produce clean copy, style errorfree writing with unnecessary mistakes.
The college follows the associated press stylebook as the first reference. Dont abbreviate if there isnt a city name before the state. Apply the guidelines listed here to book titles, computer game titles, movie titles. When first referencing someones name, use their full name. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. You must register and have a current subscription to access ap stylebook online. In general, we put quotes around book titles, movie titles, opera titles, play titles, poem titles, album and song titles, radio and television program titles, and the titles of lectures, speeches and works of art. Using correct ap style for book, movie, and song titles. Book titles, television shows, movies, magazines, and publications should be capitalized and in quotations. Spell out the names of all states when used alone and in body text.
Capitalization in general, avoid unnecessary capitals. All states are spelled out in the body of the text. Associated press style guide all press releases should abide by associated press style guidelines. Put quotation marks around the names of all works, including songs, movies and books, except the bible, and reference materials such as almanacs, directories, dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks. Capitalize titles when they appear before a persons name sen. Ap style state abbreviations for press release dateline. How to write book names, movie names, and song titles in ap style. These arent always the same abbreviations the mail carrier uses. In title case, major words are capitalized, and most minor words are lowercase. Youll find the list of acceptable abbreviations under state names in the hardcover and digital version of the ap stylebook.
Capitalize all job titles or official titles of federal officials before or after the persons name or if the title stands alone. Film, book, and song titles are capitalized and places in quotations. For example, the reverend bill graham has met with many presidents. The associated press stylebook, basic books, cambridge, ma. Use quotation marks around the titles of books, songs, television shows, computer games, poems, lectures, speeches and works of art.
Capitalize articles fewer than four letters if they are only at the beginning or end of the title. It is published and updated annually to reflect changes in writing style and new guidelines. Names of weekdays unless and only unless you use them in a table. Associated press ap style guidelines by leslie young. Spell out the names of the 50 states when they stand alone. When part of an address, use an abbreviated state name. Apr 03, 2021 here is the new entry in the stylebook online. Its the style guide most newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets use, so this style is a musthave for anyone who wants to work in journalism or media writing.
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