Aug 01, 2018 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. There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state. Editorial style brand guidelines ohio state university. On the other hand, dont get cocky and toss out your ap stylebook once youve memorized the basics. If you have a hyphen in a headline, is the word after the hyphen capitalized. It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. Note that ap style omits state names for a specified list of cities.
The stylebook is a comprehensive catalog of proper style usage and has literally thousands of entries. Using defined structure and rules similar to words spelling and grammar checking, ap styleguard helps ensure the consistency of your writing. Ap style for place names use numerals for house numbers or for street numbers higher than nine, and abbreviate street, avenue or boulevard and directions when theyre used as part of an address. However, when referring to a city and the state in which it is located, although chicago recommends retaining the spelledout version of the state name. When writing specifically for the news media, follow ap style no italics and use quotation marks to enclose the titles of books, plays, etc. Someone asked us on twitter, and ap stylebooks ask the editor page has the answer.
For best results, please view in the fullwidth of your computer screen. Please consult this resource if you have questions. Apr 23, 2014 ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. Eventually, you wont have to refer to the stylebook nearly as much. A refreshing ap stylebook refresher on datelines and. See style guide entries under these words and company names.
Youll find the list of acceptable abbreviations under state names in the stylebook. You must register and have a current subscription to access ap stylebook online. Here are a few answers to common style issues, based on the ap stylebook. In ap style, the names of newspapers and magazines are not italicized or set off in quotation marks.
Washington ap a chicago woman has become the second u. In general, newspaper style guides in the united states in particular, the associated press stylebook ap and the new york times manual of style and usage recommend u. Neither means that the usual headlinestyle or titlestyle caps still apply, but the titlename is naked as far as quotes and italics are concerned. For slide presentations of ap style basics, go here. Heres a refresher course what the ap stylebook says for datelines and cities that stand alone in datelines. While the five ws who, what, when, where and why are important for every story, the first you should worry about when writing a story is the where. If a state s name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire state s name.
The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization. Ap style state abbreviations differ from their corresponding united states postal service abbreviations, provided in parentheses. Here are rules based on associated press style, with modifications or exceptions noted, and with tispecific examples. Register to view your products, order status, shipment trackings and manage your account settings. The ap stylebook contains quite a few rules for both datelines and location names, and though many of them have been mentioned in past posts, ap has changed some of the rules in recent years, so we thought a refresher might be in order. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. Instead, writers who follow the ap stylebook put quotation marks around the titles of books, movies, plays, and the like.
Use makers names in the form given in janes all the worlds aircraft, e. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference for most forms of publicfacing corporate. Use quotation marks around the titles of books, songs, television shows. Remember that, in datelines, the city name is in all capital letters. The guidelines help writers present clear and concise information with consistent structure to keep readers focused. Baker hughes to lay off 800 as oil patch layoffs mount. Some cities are so widely known that they are capable of standing alone in a dateline, without the name of a state for additional reference. In headlines, do not use periods in abbreviations, unless required for clarity. Which cities dont need a state abbreviation in ap style. Jun 18, 2012 capitalization of words in titles and headings. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. 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.
If you want to know all about the ap style state abbreviations, you have been a wise soul to click on this article. The following guidance went out on the ap wire wednesday. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used in answers. Those are alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. All you need to know about titles in ap style gatehouse. These may be used as secondary sources if our house style and ap style dont address an issue youre researching. Aug 05, 2015 heres a refresher course what the ap stylebook says for datelines and cities that stand alone in datelines. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used. Aps automated stylechecking tools speed up the editing process by reducing the need to manually refer to the ap stylebook.
The historic state capital, capital, capitol, capitol in albany was built right after the civl war. Oct 30, 2015 the rules below apply for the following works. In the past, states were generally abbreviated in domestic articles and news stories, but they were always spelled out in international content. When a month is used with a specific date, abbreviate only jan. Mar 27, 2020 for many of your style and citation questions, its best to go straight to the source. Before we begin to enlist the abbreviations, it is mandatory for one to learn and garner information about what ap is, with a brief, supplementary note on the history of the same. Spell out the names of the states whether standing alone or with a place name.
Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. The most recent edition of this style guide is kept at the circulation desk and must be used within the library. The chicago manual of style online is the venerable, timetested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. Which of the following headlines is correct, according to ap style. When the name of a state name appears in the body of a text, spell it out. Over and more than became interchangeable and we have to spell out state names the 2019 ap stylebook has more than 200 new and modified entries, according to the ap. The names of eight states are never abbreviated in datelines or text. Before we begin to enlist the abbreviations, it is mandatory for one to learn and garner information about what ap is, with. Ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state abbreviations rules. How to write an apstyle newspaper article pen and the pad. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. Find a copy of the most recent ap style guide at the circulation desk. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook.
However, associated press, for corporate stories, uses the legal name reflected in securities and exchange commission filings, its stylebook states. Sep 19, 2012 ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. Ap style isnt keen on using state abbreviations in titles, so spell them out. The lieutenant governor, gavin newsom, was serving in the. How to use commas in associated press style pen and the pad. The associated press has a stylebook with rules and standards used primarily in journalistic and news writing. Ap stylebook rules for datelines, cities that stand alone.
It also clarifies instances in which ohio state s internal rules break from standard ap style. Writing for the web follows the departments style, which is based on the ap stylebook. The american psychological association apa publication manual, which is used for writing academic papers, agrees about using the periods. The domestic list of cities that stand alone is on page 79 of the 2010 ap stylebook, and it is a good idea to mark this page with a sticky note of some sort so it is easy to find and you never list the state, country or territory unnecessarily. The names of works of antiquity, whose creators are often unknown, are usually not italicized. Following is the breakdown between ap style and chicago style. Alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. 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. Ti must use language consistently to preserve its brand. Use the aps state abbreviations with place names only in lists and tabular material, or shortform listings of party affiliation. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules. Other references, including the chicago manual of style and the gregg reference manual, were consulted in creating the uws house style guidelines. Put quotation marks around the names except the bible and catalogs of reference material.
Political titles should be abbreviated before full names outside of direct quotes. She said cook county, illinois, was mayor daleys stronghold. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. Put the city name in capital letters, generally followed by the state or country, and then a long dash. Do not capitalize federal, state, department, division, board.
There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state abbreviations. Jul, 2019 the more you use the book, the more youll start to memorize certain points of ap style. 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. For example, you may start a sentence with a number and, even though that number is below 10, you do not have to spell it out. 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. Stylebook key this updated and revised version of the associated press stylebook has been organized like a dictionary. Ap style dictates specific comma placement in a series and with dialogue, dates, numbers. Ap style also aims to avoid stereotypes and unintentionally offensive language.
Ap stylebook type search query into the search bar below. Its mobile optimized so you can use it on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Acting as a job title agency names and use of the word the avian fluswine flupandemic flu or influenza commissioned corps. Neither means that the usual headlinestyle or titlestyle caps still apply, but the title name is naked as far as quotes and italics are concerned. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of. Ap style is designed to address the challenges of the organizations large size and readership. Its updated throughout the year and valuable onlineonly resources, including ask the editor, topical guides and pronunciation guide, expand on the print book s guidance. Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. Formal titles in ap style should be capitalized when they immediately precede one or more names. Postal abbreviations for state names and the way they are written are not the correct state name abbreviations for news. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and. It had to be easy for reporters and editors to use and also produce. Titles of works editorial style guide purchase college.
This is intended as a quick rundown or cheat sheet. These are the rules wed like you to follow for the contests. Any state name may be condensed, however, to fit typographical requirements for tabular material. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The ap stylebook and other references are available through the uw libraries. There are eight states that should never be abbreviated in text or datelines. In ap style, magazines names and titles are governed. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of stories. When a title stands alone or is offset from a name by commas, it should be lowercase. Rules from the ap stylebook i recently conducted a workshop for employees in the development office at my university, and since they use associated press ap style, i was asked to include a unit on avoiding common ap errors. The names of reference books like the ap stylebook, websters new world dictionary, the bible and for.
To learn ap style you must get your hands on an ap stylebook. To subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the book. Associated press ap citation and style guides libguides. Like many other news organizations, the pittsburgh postgazette has its own stylebookan alphabetized manual on spelling and usage that covers everything from how to refer to pittsburgh city counciland local municipalities, to the difference between nauseous and nauseated we are pleased to share our stylebook with the public on the postgazettes website. Datelines on stories should contain a city name, entirely in capital letters, followed in most cases by the name of the state, county, or territory where the city is located. The associated press stylebook and briefing on media law. It wouldnt be ap style without an exception or two. Some of these decisions might run a bit counter to ap style, and thats ok, as long as you are consistent. The ap style abbreviations arbitrarily range in length from two to six letters, and all twoword names are abbreviated with the initials, such as n. May 07, 2009 the associated press was founded more than 150 years ago and now has thousands of employees working in more than a hundred countries for a readership that numbers in the millions. Ohio state s online stylebook is available only to users working within the columbus campus ip range this includes those using osuwireless. This is the style guide that professional media use.
Styleguard offers recommendations on datelines, abbreviations and acronyms, among many other common style needs, along with items you. 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 stylebook has provided a list indicating exactly how the states. Abbreviate state names of seven or more letters when used with a city name, with commas before and after the abbreviation. Avoid using state abbreviations in headlines whenever possible. 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.
Books and magazines often italicize newspaper names as well as book titles and magazine names as part of their inhouse style. Lowercase formal titles that appear on their own or follow a name. Like many other news organizations, the pittsburgh postgazette has its own stylebookan alphabetized manual on spelling and usage that covers everything from how to refer to pittsburgh city council and local municipalities, to the difference between nauseous and nauseated we are pleased to share our stylebook with the public on the postgazettes website. The chicago manual of style and the associated press stylebook agree on one thing. Okay, so new is stretching it a bit, but some writers may be unaware that in 2014 ap changed the rule regarding how state names should be written.
Associated press style basics journalists resource. When referring to a state on its own, spell the state name out california became a state in 1850. 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. Ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. Place one comma between the city and the state name, and another comma after the state name, unless ending a sentence or indicating a dateline. Aircraft names use a hyphen when changing from letters to figures, no hyphen when adding a letter to figures, e. The associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style guide of the. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire states name. Oct 24, 2014 see the ap stylebook for how to abbreviate those pesky long ones. As such, it can be intimidating to the firsttime user. Ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a.
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