All states are spelled out in the body of the text. Do not use periods in abbreviations that are in headlines. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. Generally ap style omits periods in acronyms, unless doing so would spell an unrelated word. Ap style state abbreviations for press release dateline follow these associated press guidelines for the u. When a month is used with a specific date, only jan. Ap stylebook, also known by its full name the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law, is an english grammar style and usage guide created by american journalists working for or connected with the associated press to standardize mass communication. Professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used in answers. Jack gillespie, rowan university, purdue university writing lab and ap stylebook page 2. Commas are not necessary if only a year and month are given, but commas.
This is the style guide that professional media use. It had to be easy for reporters and editors to use and also produce stories that are clear and concise. Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. She began her studies in august 2014 and completed them in may 2018. The associated press stylebook, first published in 1977, clarified the news organizations rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage.
How to format a press release dateline with ap style newswire. Spell out the names of the 50 states when they stand alone in. One of the first things a student in a beginning journalism course learns about is associated press style or ap style for short. When a month is used with a specific date, abbreviate only jan. Ap stylebook online, our most popular product, this is the searchable, customizable version of the ap stylebook. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules. The ap stylebook says state abbreviations are used in both datelines and in text. A recent ap stylebook says, when a month is used with a. The best way to find out how useful a stylebook digital subscription can be is to try it for yourself. Some widely known abbreviations are required in certain situations, while others are. You can find the list of preferred abbreviations under months in the ap stylebook. Ap changes style on district of columbia references poynter.
Abbreviating months and days editing and writing services. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. Ap style does use periods in most twoletter abbreviations. In other kinds of writing, where a more formal style is appropriate, use abbreviations sparingly. Ap style is very commonly used amongst journalists as well as for.
Per ap style, spell out month names that stand alone. Ap stylebook sales, web traffic increase, attract new. To subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the book. Ap itself along with gi and eu are exceptions to this rule. State abbreviations according to ap style gatehouse newsroom. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and.
The 2019 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, fashion, food, religion and sports terms, as well as media law, news values, punctuation, social media, polls and surveys and a new chapter on health and science. The 2019 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, fashion, food, religion and sports terms, as well as media law, news values, punctuation, social media, polls and surveys and a new chapter on health and. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. No comma is needed between a month and a year, but commas are required before and after a year when month, date and year are used. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as. Complete copies of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law can be ordered from most bookstores. Sales for the ap stylebook have increased significantly in recent years, from 30,000 in 2004 to 60,000 in 2008. Ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. The associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style guide of the associated press, a notforprofit news agency thats been around since 1846. These selected rules have been reprinted with the permission of the associated press. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference for most forms of publicfacing corporate. Its often used by news organizations, magazines, and web publications, but brands often use it to form the basis of their own style guides, too. In other words, do not use abbreviations or acronyms that your readers will.
Here are rules based on associated press style, with modifications or exceptions noted, and with tispecific examples. Follow these associated press guidelines for the u. Now in its sixth edition, the stylebook is the standard style. Per ap style, spell out street names without a number and abbreviate street names in a complete address. Ap style was developed and is maintained by the associated press, the worlds oldest news service. When a phrase lists only a month and a year, do not separate the year. Abbreviations abbreviate junior or senior after a name, but dont use a comma. State abbreviations according to ap style gatehouse media 20120214. In ap style you should capitalize the names of months in all of their uses.
The lingofy proofing button appears in your browsers tool bar so you can check copy for local or ap style issues while using online writing platforms such as wordpress, blogger or constantcontact. A few universally recognized abbreviations are required in some circumstances. When a month is used with a specific date, abbreviate. Most newspapers in the united statesboth dailies and weekliesfollow the rules it recommends. When a month is used with a specific date, you may abbreviate jan. If you come across an issue not covered in ti educational technology guide to style and usage, you can check the online edition of the ap stylebook. Ap changes style on district of columbia references. These are nprs photo caption guidelines npr training. The abbreviations are only correct with figures numbers. Postal service abbreviations for states unless you are providing a full address including zip code. Ap stylebook type search query into the search bar below. The ap therefore strives to keep its writing style easy to read, concise and free of bias. Abbreviate month names when used with a specific date. It says that in tabular material, use threeletter forms without a period the first three letters of each month.
Ap style is designed to address the challenges of the organizations large size and readership. Some others are acceptable depending on the context. To achieve these goals, the associated press stylebook is intentionally compact and direct, giving up comprehensiveness in exchange for brevity. For all month abbreviations, see months in ap stylebook.
Misused words, comma usage, colons and semicolons, punctuation, active and passive voice. Although the rules seem to change as often as i eat a shameful amount of candy read. Anyone interested in pursuing a career in journalism should purchase a copy of the associated press stylebook and be familiar with ap style. Ti must use language consistently to preserve its brand.
At bka, we prefer ap style, which is a standard in journalism. The latest ap stylebook says, when a month is used with a specific date, abbreviate only jan. State abbreviations are not the same as the twoletter postal codes. The writers of most content creation companies usually write using a popular style guide ap, apa, chicago, mla mixed with a house style. When a phrase uses only a month and a year, do not separate the year with commas. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. We will include access to websters new world college dictionary, the.
Ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. We offer free 30day trials of the following products. Choose from 100 different sets of ap stylebook flashcards on quizlet. For all others, include the abbreviated state name andor country name, not abbreviated.
The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. Chicago manual of style 16 books and ap stylebook 2015 media agree unless noted. Send contributions to relief fund, box 185, pasadena, ca 91030. Formatting dates, days, months, times, and years in ap style dates and times have a number of formatting considerations. According to the ap style book, dates should be formatted as such dates always use.
Of course, use state abbreviations in conjunction with the name of a city, town, village or. Spell out the name of a month when it is used without a specific date. Associated press style basics journalists resource. All other months should always be completely spelled out. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. Ap style is simply a standardized way of writing everything from dates to street addresses to job titles.
Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. Ap style cheat sheet for wjeas writeoff contests and beyond student journalists should have at least these two sources available to answer basic style questions. Ap reports must also credit other organizations when they break a story and ap matches or further. Ap style holds that a few universally recognized abbreviations are required in some instances and some other abbreviations are acceptable depending on the context, but in general, as a writer, you should avoid having your writing appear as if its alphabet soup. Traffic on the ap stylebook web site, which was redesigned last month, is also. If they do require a state, it is important to use the correct ap style state abbreviation. Editorial style guide university of colorado denver. Also, all months should be spelled out when they stand alone or are alone with a year. Its updated throughout the year and valuable onlineonly resources, including ask the editor, topical guides and pronunciation guide, expand on the print books guidance.
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