Introduction to AP Style

AP Style is… A standardized way of referencing people, places, dates and things. A standardized way of referencing people, places, dates and things. Conformity, Clarity… Conformity, Clarity… All news organizations recognize AP style. All news organizations recognize AP style. There is a copy of the AP Stylebook on my desk. There is a copy of the AP Stylebook on my desk.

The Most Important AP Style References

Referencing people On first reference, list the person’s full name. On first reference, list the person’s full name. On second reference, just list their last name. Do not include Mr., Ms. or titles, like Dr. On second reference, just list their last name. Do not include Mr., Ms. or titles, like Dr. For instance: Jane Griffith said she enjoys skating…Griffith also stated that skating could be dangerous. For instance: Jane Griffith said she enjoys skating…Griffith also stated that skating could be dangerous.

Referencing people Always put the person’s name before the word “said.” It is more important to identify the person’s name first. Always put the person’s name before the word “said.” It is more important to identify the person’s name first. Only put “said” first if the person’s job title is long. Only put “said” first if the person’s job title is long. For instance: “This place is incredible,” said John Jackson, president of the National Association of Postal Workers. For instance: “This place is incredible,” said John Jackson, president of the National Association of Postal Workers.

Referencing times Always make sure the time is listed with a single number, followed by a.m. or p.m. Always make sure the time is listed with a single number, followed by a.m. or p.m. No: At 9:00 a.m. the store will open. No: At 9:00 a.m. the store will open. Yes: At 9 a.m. the store will open. Yes: At 9 a.m. the store will open.

Referencing dates Abbreviate the following months in dates: Abbreviate the following months in dates: –Jan. –Feb. –Aug. –Sept. –Oct. –Nov. –Dec.

For example… No: “A burglar robbed the store on September 22, 2008.” No: “A burglar robbed the store on September 22, 2008.” Yes: “A burglar robbed the store on Sept. 22, 2008.” Yes: “A burglar robbed the store on Sept. 22, 2008.”

When not part of a date… Use the whole month name when it is not part of a date: Use the whole month name when it is not part of a date: –“In November 2012, Barack Obama was re- elected President of the United States.”

TIME OUT! dates

Pre and Post Generally, type the work as is appears in the dictionary. Generally, type the work as is appears in the dictionary. If the word is not in the dictionary, check the AP Style book. If the word is not in the dictionary, check the AP Style book. Pre- words usually have a hyphen is the next letter is a vowel (pre-election, pre- exist). Pre- words usually have a hyphen is the next letter is a vowel (pre-election, pre- exist).

Other notes: No first person in a hard news story! No first person in a hard news story! No editorializing. No editorializing. Use inverted pyramid structure. Use inverted pyramid structure.

Addresses If you have a full, numbered address to print, then abbreviate the street. If you have a full, numbered address to print, then abbreviate the street. i.e. He robbed the house at 314 E. 22 nd St. i.e. He robbed the house at 314 E. 22 nd St. If you only have the street name though, spell out the street. If you only have the street name though, spell out the street. i.e. The robbery was at East 33 rd Street and Greenmount Avenue. i.e. The robbery was at East 33 rd Street and Greenmount Avenue.

States Do not use postal codes, except w/ full address with zip code. Spell the state out when it appears alone. Do not use postal codes, except w/ full address with zip code. Spell the state out when it appears alone. STATEWRONG (postal code)RIGHT IllinoisILIll. MichiganMIMich. North Dakota NDN.D. CaliforniaCACalif. ArkansasARArk. OhioOHOhio

TIME OUT! address

Titles that are always abbreviated In the first reference, and onward, you may abbreviate titles. In the first reference, and onward, you may abbreviate titles. –Gov.(Governor) –Lt. Gov.(Lieutenant Governor) –Rep.(Representative) –The Rev.(Reverend) –Sen. (The Senator) –Lt.(Lieutenant)

You also need to note political affiliations If you are writing about a Senator or a member of the House of Representatives, note their political affiliation. If you are writing about a Senator or a member of the House of Representatives, note their political affiliation. You can note it using party and state abbreviations. You can note it using party and state abbreviations. Or you can note it within the sentence. Or you can note it within the sentence. i.e. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said she hates Republican Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska. i.e. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said she hates Republican Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

TIME OUT! names

Abbreviations Titles, dates, states = YES Titles, dates, states = YES Common words = NO Common words = NO –Elem. School –Chgo. Unless the abbreviation has become common Unless the abbreviation has become common –Prep –Gym

Acronyms Acronyms can be used if you give the full name of the organization on the first reference: Acronyms can be used if you give the full name of the organization on the first reference: –The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced… –… This is the fourth time the NYSE has… If it is commonly known, you can use the acronym the first time without the full name: If it is commonly known, you can use the acronym the first time without the full name: –NFL, NAACP, LMSA

TIME OUT! logo

TIME OUT: Name the logo NIKE

TIME OUT: Name the logo NBC

TIME OUT: Name the logo Toyota

TIME OUT: Name the logo AT&T

TIME OUT: Name the logo BP

TIME OUT: Name the logo Bank of America

TIME OUT: Name the logo UNICEF

TIME IN

Numbers Spell out all numbers less than ten. Use Arabic numerals for values greater than or equal to 10. Spell out all numbers less than ten. Use Arabic numerals for values greater than or equal to 10. Exceptions include sports scores, measurements, building addresses Exceptions include sports scores, measurements, building addresses For larger numbers, spell out the word. (i.e., 20 million) For larger numbers, spell out the word. (i.e., 20 million) $500 million $500 million

TIME OUT! number

Many of these notes, and others not covered in class are linked at mrdudek.pbworks.com at AP Stylebook Essentials AP Stylebook Essentials AP Stylebook Essentials

LMSA Style

Referencing people Teachers and staff have the title Mr. or Ms. Teachers and staff have the title Mr. or Ms. Students are mentioned by full name on first reference and first name only for every subsequent reference Students are mentioned by full name on first reference and first name only for every subsequent reference What title should students get? What title should students get? junior Robin Williams junior Robin Williams eighth-grader Joe Biden eighth-grader Joe Biden

Other Style Rules LMSA can be abbreviated, even on the first reference in a story. LMSA can be abbreviated, even on the first reference in a story. Departments and classes are capitalized Departments and classes are capitalized –Science Department –AP Environmental Science General subjects are not: General subjects are not: –math –history –English. (but… but… you just said…)

Other Style Rules alumnus, alumna, alumni alumnus, alumna, alumni Thomas’s or Thomas’? Thomas’s or Thomas’? boys’ soccer, girls’ gym boys’ soccer, girls’ gym football, baseball football, baseball See the Lindblom Talon Style Guide! See the Lindblom Talon Style Guide!

GAME OVER: Identify AP Style Identify AP Style In groups of 1-4, highlight or circle examples of AP style in an article. In groups of 1-4, highlight or circle examples of AP style in an article. AP errors AP errors STYLE GUIDE SHEET STYLE GUIDE SHEET