Dont abbreviate if there isnt a city name before the state. Ap style holds that acronyms are formed from the first letters or letters of a series of words. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. Ap style guide quick reference the difference between academic writing and ap style most, if not all, of the documents created by the department are shared with the public, the education community and the media. The ap stylebook states to not follow an organizations full name with an abbreviation or acronym in parenthesis or set off by dashes. Use the following guidelines to produce clean copy, style errorfree writing with unnecessary mistakes. Twelve common mistakes of ap style apr 19, 2011 admin. However, the chicago manual of style now recommends use of the uppercase twoletter abbreviations, with the traditional forms as an option.
These arent always the same abbreviations the mail carrier uses. Currently, most state names are abbreviated in stories. I remember when i filed one of my first bylines for a newspaper only to get my inbox slammed with emails from my editor in chief. When abbreviating the state names, dont make the mistake of using the postal code abbreviations. A few universally recognized abbreviations, such as co. Ap style state abbreviations differ from their corresponding united states postal service abbreviations, provided in parentheses. Ap updates its stylebook to accommodate changes in conventions and usage. Ap suggests spelling out the names of alaska, hawaii, and all states with five or fewer letters. Choose from 100 different sets of ap stylebook flashcards on quizlet. The associated press stylebook does not abbreviate texas nor any other state with five or fewer letters.
Those are alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. Indiana daily student stylebook addendum for spring 2019. Mar 28, 2017 the associated press stylebook, a widely used manual of journalistic writing standards, has made a shift in the use of the pronoun they to acknowledge the evolving landscape of gender identity. Use abbreviations for degrees only when you need to include a list. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. Test your knowledge on this miscellaneous quiz to see how you do and compare your score to others. On a regional level, additional cities may stand alone should the newspaper staff decide so.
The names of eight states are never abbreviated in datelines or text. Actually, whether to use a or an is determined by how the first sound in the acronym or abbreviation, this sound rule applies to the use of a or an in front of regular words, too. See datelines for guidelines on when a city name may stand alone in the body of a story. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different. If you want to know all about the ap style state abbreviations, you have been a wise soul to click on this article. Apr 23, 2014 ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. Aug 15, 2019 ap style isnt keen on using state abbreviations in titles, so spell them out. Jul 21, 2016 i m a huge fan of abbreviations because they make communication easier and spare me from unnecessary typing. The ap stylebook says state abbreviations are used in both datelines and in text. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook.
The associated press stylebook download free epub, pdf. It wouldnt be ap style without an exception or two. Ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. Some others are acceptable depending on the context. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire states name. When used as an adjective, united states should be abbreviated as u. An abbreviation, lets take gb from above, is not an acronym. Do not capitalize federal, state, department, division, board. In order to uphold the integrity and image of the department, it is essential to use a consistent writing style. Of course, use state abbreviations in conjunction with the. If were speaking about regions of the state, should it be south louisiana, north louisiana. The ap stylebook now includes they as a singular, gender. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of stories.
Most online publications, especially those designed for branded content in particular, will adopt their own style guides. 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 conjunction with the name of a city, town, village or military base in text. To make navigating these specialty chapters even easier, the stylebook includes a comprehensive index. First reference for spelling, style, usage and foreign geographic names. Ba, bs, bachelor of arts, bachelor of science ma, ms, master of arts, master of science edd, phd, doctor of education, doctor of philosophy mba, master of business administration do not add the word degree after an abbreviation of the degree or.
Mastering the ap style rules for abbreviations bka content. Websters new world college dictionary, fourth edition, wiley, hoboken, n. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. 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.
The associated press has its roots buried in the year 1848. 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. It wasnt about my prose, reporting, or lede, but that i neglected to abbreviate september. The ap stylebook will help you master the aps rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviation, word and numeral usage, and when to use more than instead of over.
Use the state abbreviations listed at the end of this section. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules. I definitly recommend this book for any writer who plans on writing in the ap stlye. These will oftentimes align with the ap stylebook, but as a good rule of thumb you should crossreference the tips below with the publications unique editorial guidelines. Here is how each state is abbreviated in ap style with the postal code. The associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style. You will still use abbreviations in datelines, photo captions, lists, etc. Generally use district of columbia within a story only for official designations, such as local government names, or to avoid confusion with other localities of that name. State abbreviations according to ap style gatehouse newsroom. There are eight states that should never be abbreviated in text or datelines. The associated press stylebook, the usage guide for most united states newspapers, counsels the use of abbreviations for most state names, when appended to a city name for example, santa ana, calif. The associated press began to take shape when six new york newspapers decided to gather adequate resources for international tidings.
Learn ap stylebook with free interactive flashcards. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. The following guidance went out on the ap wire wednesday. A few universally recognized abbreviations are required in some circumstances.
Ap style is what the general public is accustomed to seeing because it is the official stylebook of the newspaper industry. Although it isnt the newest edition, this book is great for the price because it has all the information you need to know. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization. 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. Al for alabama alaska ak this state is not abbreviated in text ariz. To subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction. It goes on to say that if an abbreviation or acronym would not otherwise be clear upon its second reference, do not use it. Stylebook, differs from the modern language association mla and the. They are the accepted reference sources for material not covered by the stylebook. The associated press stylebook, a widely used manual of journalistic writing standards, has made a shift in the use of the pronoun they to acknowledge the evolving landscape of. The associated press stylebook states that in contexts other than mailing addresses, the traditional state abbreviations should be used. In a news story, can you start a sentence with an acronym.
For example, radar if formed from radio detecting and ranging. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state abbreviations rules. 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. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state abbreviations. Associated press stylebook how is associated press. Ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines.
1327 388 586 384 595 204 1176 1645 1389 331 209 1520 512 1470 962 202 240 74 756 705 1459 4 1086 514 389 558 900 767 724 947 1361 666 482 758 347 989 989 498 257 626 286 663 870 1434 318