Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Standard abbreviations like units of measurement and states do not need to be written out. Alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. For slide presentations of ap style basics, go here.
Sp 17 ap style guide university of texas at austin. It wouldnt be ap style without an exception or two. In apa, abbreviations should be limited to instances when a the abbreviation is standard and will not interfere with the readers understanding and b if space and repetition. I hate the post offices twoletter state abbreviations. The ap therefore strives to keep its writing style easy to read, concise and free of bias. 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. 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. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules. 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. Spell out the names of the 50 states when they stand alone in. May 04, 2017 ap mentions to also abbreviate states in datelines, credit lines, and shortform party affiliation dariz. Some organizations and government agencies are widely recognized by their initials and can be referred to using their. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state abbreviations rules.
The chicago manual of style and the associated press stylebook agree on one thing. Ap style state abbreviations for press release dateline follow these associated press guidelines for the u. Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. The president of the company delivered their speech via skype. Associated press website faq this faq webpage from the ap is a great source of information on current issues of grammar, style, punctuation, abbreviations, and other style questions. States spell out the names of the states in text when they appear alone. But do you know the big differences between these four popular writing styles. Do you know the big differences between ap, apa, chicago. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire states name. Ap style isnt keen on using state abbreviations in titles, so spell them out. Its mobile optimized so you can use it on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage.
Send contributions to relief fund, box 185, pasadena, ca 91030. State abbreviations according to ap style gatehouse newsroom. 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 stylebook and briefing on media law official style. The american psychological association apa publication manual, which is used for writing academic papers, agrees about using the periods. Here is how each state is abbreviated in ap style with the postal code. May 21, 2009 for words not in this book use the firstlisted abbreviation in websters new world college dictionary. The book was written in the 21st century, not the second century. Some states are abbreviated, as is the united states with periods u.
The associated press stylebook, the usage guide for most united states newspapers, counsels the use of abbreviations for most state names, when appended. On wednesday, professor james currier, who has a doctorate in biology and a masters in economics, will argue that improving automobile fuel efficiency from an average of 17 to 22 miles per gallon would save billions of dollars and protect endangered. There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state abbreviations. Before we get into the differences between these four writing styles, we should explain them all a little more. The form depends on which style guide you adhere to and why the state is being referenced. Sep 19, 2012 professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. Mastering the ap style rules for abbreviations bka content. Those are alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. It ranges from the staff of the associated press to editors and writers on member newspapers, to other individuals and groups with special interests in some subjects. Aug 15, 2019 our company uses ap style and i receive info from an educator on a weekly basis.
Apa also allows abbreviations that appear as words in merriamwebsters collegiate dictionary to be used without explanation iq, hiv, rna, cia, unesco. Fully revised and updated, this new edition contains more than 3,000 a to z entries including more than 200 new ones detailing the ap s rules. The following guidance went out on the ap wire wednesday. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. Abbreviations united states as a noun, united states. Professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. Click a question below to jump straight to its answer. In fact, the sheer number of conflicting guidelines can make you feel like youve driven right off the grammar map.
If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. The president of the company delivered his speech via skype. Generally, omit periods in acronyms unless the result would spell an unrelated word. In a news story, can you start a sentence with an acronym. If you want to know all about the ap style state abbreviations, you have been a wise soul to click on this article. If you have a question what book that is laying around the news lab should you use to find answers to ap style questions. Withthe ap stylebook in hand, you can learn how to write and edit with the clarity and professionalism for which they are famous. In ap style, the antecedent and its pronoun must agree in gender and number. This page reflects the latest version of the apa publication manual i. Many newspapers, magazines and public relations offices across the united states use ap style. When first referencing someones name, use their full name.
In order to create a playlist on sporcle, you need to verify the email address you used during registration. Unfortunately, we dont have such fixed boundaries for how to abbreviate united states. Postal service abbreviations for states unless you are providing a full address including zip code. The 2016 edition of the gpo style manual is the first revision to be issued under gpos new name, u. Ap style is simply a standardized way of writing everything from dates to street addresses to job titles. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. Abbreviations for states and provinces traditional abbreviations for states and provinces begin with a capital letter and end with a period. Publishers locations for apa referencing when you write an apastyle reference list, you need to provide the publishing details publishers name and. Ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. No state name is necessary if its the same as the dateline. 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. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. Ap mentions to also abbreviate states in datelines, credit lines, and shortform party affiliation dariz. If were speaking about regions of the state, should it be south louisiana, north louisiana.
For a full list of ap style state abbreviations, see our full page. By the way, ap style has a similar rule for abbreviating united kingdom. Also on first mention, spell out abbreviations or acronyms. Since 1894, the gpo style manual has served as a guide to the style and form of federal government printing and publishing. Jul 21, 2016 im a huge fan of abbreviations because they make communication easier and spare me from unnecessary typing.
Ap suggests spelling out the names of alaska, hawaii, and all states with five or fewer letters. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. In conjunction with the name of a city, town, village or military base in text. 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. 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. Those states are alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas, and utah. The names of eight states are never abbreviated in datelines or text. A good way to remember these eight is to always spell out the names of the two states outside the contiguous united states hawaii and alaska and the states inside the contiguous united states with five letters or less. 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. One of the first things a student in a beginning journalism course learns about is associated press style or ap style for short. Associated press stylebook 2015 and briefing on media law. Follow these associated press guidelines for the u. Ap style does use periods in most twoletter abbreviations. Generally ap style omits periods in acronyms, unless doing so would spell an unrelated word.
The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization. Select the sentence free of errors in ap style for abbreviations for print publications. Ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. Use the state abbreviations listed at the end of this section. Any state name may be condensed, however, to fit typographical requirements for tabular material. Fully revised and updated, this new edition contains more than 3,000 a to z entries including more than 200 new ones detailing the ap s rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation. The state abbreviations did not compute with their knowledge and they would not use them and instead used the zip code abbreviation. Apr 23, 2014 ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. For all titles in ap style, there is no underlining or italicizing. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. I made a failing grade on a united states map when i was a sixthgrader 1964 because i used an informational document from the post office to label the states. What are the ap, apa, chicago, and mla writing styles. For sums in the million and billion range, consider using decimals you may not do this for some annual and quarterly report uses. The equivalent resource for the older apa 6 style can be found here.
Ap itself along with gi and eu are exceptions to this rule. The main objective of any type of writing is to help people understand what you are trying to say and explain. 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. Although some publications such as the new york times have developed their own style guidelines, a basic knowledge of ap style is considered essential to those who want to work in print journalism. 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. Ap style was developed and is maintained by the associated press, the worlds oldest news service.
You can find abbreviations discussed in the publication manual in section 4. Keep in mind that ap changed the rules for using state abbreviations in the body of a story, and you now spell out the names of all 50 u. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and refer to it when in doubt. Now in its sixth edition, the stylebook is the standard style. In particular we sought and received many member views on a variety of difficult questions so that this book could reflect what members wanted. There is indeed a science and art behind writing a press release. Currently, most state names are abbreviated in stories. Spell out the names of the two states that are not part of the contiguous united states and of the continental states that are five letters or fewer. Ap, or associated press, style is most commonly used by journalists. Jan 02, 2018 by the way, ap style has a similar rule for abbreviating united kingdom.
The prime minister left for the united states yesterday. When abbreviating the state names, dont make the mistake of using the postal code abbreviations. Of course, use state abbreviations in conjunction with the. An interactive geography lesson about abbreviations of states. The ap stylebook says state abbreviations are used in both datelines and in text. The definition of ap style is the grammar, capitalization and punctuation style of the associated press news agency, used by newspapers and other news and media outlets. The thumb rule for the basic ap style state abbreviations is that one should never abbreviate the term if the readers will face difficulty in figuring out what the actual term is. Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. The style of the associated press is the gold standard for news writing. A refreshing ap stylebook refresher on datelines and. There are eight states that should never be abbreviated in text or datelines. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. For words not in this book use the firstlisted abbreviation in websters new world college dictionary.
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. Much of this confusion stems from differences between the primary style manuals, as demonstrated below. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook. The associated press stylebook, first published in 1977, clarified the news organizations rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage.
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