AP STYLEBOOKCHAPTER 7 - HOW TO WRITE LIKE A JOURNALIST –

PART 3

DR. MIMS – 3RD PERIOD JOURNALISM2013-2014

WHAT IS “AP STYLE?”

•AP = Associated Press

•AP Style – a standardized way of writing everything

from dates to street addresses to job titles

•Was developed and is maintained by the associated

press

WHAT IS AN “AP STYLEBOOK”The “AP Stylebook” is a

collection of instructions on how to write certain terms

and phrases so that all journalists are writing in the

same format around the world.

WHY DO I NEED TO LEARN THE “AP STYLE?”• It is absolutely necessary to be familiar with this style to be a

journalist.•While most “research” papers may require you to use the “MLA”

style, even colleges are going to the “AP Style” for citing works and uniformity.•Not writing using the “AP Style can affect your job.

AP STYLE – NUMBERS & PERCENTAGES•Numbers:•One through nine are generally spelled out•Numbers 10 and above are written as numerals• Example – he carried five books for 12 blocks.

• Percentages• Are always expressed as numbers followed by the word “percent”• Example - the price of gas rose 5 percent

AP STYLE – JOB TITLES

• Job titles are generally capitalized when they appear before a person’s name, but lowercase if after the name• Dr. Pancoast is the CCA principal.•Mr. Jones is a doctor.

AP STYLE – AGES & DOLLAR AMOUNTS• Ages:• Ages are always expressed as numerals – He is 15 years old.

• Dollar amounts:• Dollar amounts are always expressed as numerals with the “$” sign in

front.$5 $15 million $15.5 billion

AP STYLE – STREET ADDRESSES• Numerals are used for numbered addresses.• Street, Avenue, & Boulevard are abbreviated when used with a

numbered address. Otherwise they are spelled out. All other words are spelled out (Drive, Terrace, Circle, etc.)• Route or Road are never abbreviated.• Examples:• He lives at 123 Main St.• His house is on Main Street.• Her house is on Elm Road.

AP STYLE - DATES•Date are expressed as numerals.• The months August through

February are abbreviated when used with numbered dates.•Never abbreviate: • March, April, May, June or July • Months without dates • “Th” is never used

• Examples:• The meeting is on Oct. 15.• She was born on July 12.• It is muggy from March to

November.

AP STYLE – FILM, BOOK AND SONG TITLES•Generally these are capitalized and place in quotation marks or italicized.•Do not use quotation marks with reference books or the names of

newspapers or magazines.• Examples:• I love the “Star Wars” movie series. OR I love the Star Wars movie series• She read “War and Peace.• I used the Encyclopedia Britannica to complete the research project.

THE “AP STYLEBOOK” INDEX

• Forward …………………………………… iv• What’s New……………………………… v• Stylebook Key………………………….. vi• Stylebook………………………………… 1 – 308

(alphabetized) • Business Guidelines ………………… 309 - 330• Sports Guidelines and Style……… 331 - 351• Guide to Punctuation ……………… 352 - 363• Briefing on Media Law……………. 364 - 406• Editing Marks ……………………….. 407• Bibliography …………………………. 408 - 409• About the AP …………………….… 410

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY

•Complete the “AP Stylebook” scavenger hunt.•It is worth 30 points.