Essential AP Style

What to Study

The Book

�Sets consistent rules for grammar, spelling, punctuation and use of language by news organizations.

�Organized alphabetically, i.e. rules on addresses under “A;” rules on religious references under “R;” etc.

The Basics

�Dates

�Time

�Addresses

�Money

�Numerals

�Capitalization

�State names

�Courtesy Titles

�Dimensions

�Ages

Key Rules

�Numbers: 0-9 = spell out; 10 and above, use numerals

�Months, states, streets: abbreviate, unless it has six or fewer letters

�Use the words billion/million rather than zeros: $10 million,

not $10,000,000

Key rules (2)

Addresses:

� abbreviate when specific –

2842 S. Spring St.

�spell out when indirect –

2000 block of South Spring Street

Other Key Entries

�Abbreviations

�Military Titles (law enforcement)

�Academic Degrees, Departments & Titles

�Composition Titles (movies, etc.)

Trademark Basics

�It’s branding meets corporate identity.

�Can be a word, symbol, name or phrase.

�General rule: Trademarks must be capitalized; otherwise, use a generic term instead.

Trademark Examples

�Dumpster/large metal trash bin

�Kleenex/facial tissue

�Rollerblade/ in-line skates

�Xerox/photocopy

�Levi’s/jeans

�Frisbee/flying disc

Spellings/Definitions

�Judgment

�Affect/effect

�Traveled

�Canceled

�Phase/faze

�Entitled/titled

�Doughnuts

�Alumnus, alumni, alumna, alumnae

�Blonde/blond

�Farther/

further

Separate Sections

�Business

�Sports

�Social Media (new)

�Food (new)

�Punctuation

�Media Law