This rule of thumb is easy to remember once you know it. No matter which style guide you use, add only the apostrophe to plural proper nouns that end in s. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. In other style guides, chris takes an apostrophe and an s. Let me know what important rules ive missed, or if you see a mistake. Kansas doctors, achilles heel use a possessive form after only the last word if ownership is joint. Sending a press release is a great way to get that coverage, but only if you draft it correctly.
If youre writing a title before someones name, capitalize that title. The gold standard in publishing guidelines, we eagerly await its release each year. Apostrophes are generally used in contractions and to indicate the possessive case, but they are not used to form plurals of numbers and abbreviations in apa style. This rule is in the stylebook twice and is very important. Punctuation use a comma to separate a year used with a date. Use a possessive form after both words if the objects are individually owned. The ap stylebook uses websters new world college dictionary, fifth.
In the articles that follow, we have tried to summarize many of the demands that the ap stylebook places on writers who, by choice or by requirement, adhere to ap style. They used to publish every other year, but now they produce their edition every year, as well. Best of ap style and grammarpunctuationspelling gps 1. Send contributions to relief fund, box 185, pasadena, ca 91030. Capitalize the first word and proper nouns only, as well as the first word after a colon. It had to be easy for reporters and editors to use and also produce. The harrises house the smiths vacation use whichever style matches the style guide you use for your writing. Its unfortunate, because thats the guide most journalists rely upon. Some are rooted in grammar while others are stylistic preferences.
Most of these examples were taken from the ap stylebook. The ap stylebook now allows writers to use they as a singular pronoun when rewriting the sentence as plural would be overly awkward or clumsy. One of the first things a student in a beginning journalism course learns about is associated press style or ap style for short. Justice souter seems to prefer the recommendations of the chicago manual of style, which says to add the apostrophes to almost all singular nouns and names that end with s. Spell out the name of a month when it is used without a. It focuses on clear and concise writing, with each paragraph only being about two or three sentences long. Note the spelling of ok, that quotation marks not italics are used around a books title and that bible, in this use, is lowercase because its a nonreligious reference. The associated press has been breaking news since 1846. The associated press releases a new edition each spring, compiling additions and changes that have been made throughout the year on ap stylebook online. The associated press stylebook 2018 kindle edition by. Direct links to exercises at mcgrawhills workbook site for inside reporting. Postal service abbreviations for states unless you are providing a full address including zip code.
Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. The obama administration told public schools to grant bathroom access even if a students gender identity isnt whats in their record. Ap style is kansas chicago manual of style apostrophe rules. Associated press style in a nutshell civil air patrol. So weve done the work for you, rounding up a few of the recent significant and just plain interesting updates to the ap stylebook with the year coming to a close, we wanted to recap some of ap stylebooks recent chats, updates, and reminders.
When using the em dash, ap style says you should use a space before and after, although, most editors prefer the nospace approach. We took at look at the ap stylebooks section on possessions possessives and exorcised some demons coming up with these guidelines. Headline styles differ widely among publishers and writers, but if you want to follow ap style guidelines, here are the rules. Twitter was possessed with the possessiveor at least with the s following the. We know journalists are busy, and it can be difficult to keep up with recent ap stylebook changes. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. Colon capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. Crash course on ap style writing visual storytelling. If the word ends with an s put the apostrophe after the s. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference for most forms of publicfacing. No matter how much we cry about the grammarian universe imploding into a black hole of more. The ap stylebook is widely used as a writing and editing reference in newsrooms, classrooms and corporate offices worldwide. She wants to know why boss s has an apostrophe and an s but chris has only an apostrophe the truth is that chris takes just an apostrophe only if you follow the rules in the the associated press stylebook. Its mobile optimized so you can use it on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.
For singular common nouns that end in s, both ap and chicago styles use apostrophes. Ap definitive source a new look for ap stylebook online. Please check the style guide of whatever format youre using to make sure youre in line with their recommendations. Even when individual authors do not adhere to the bias of ap style, it often doesnt matter. Ap style is designed to address the challenges of the organizations large size and readership. Heres how we tackled ashleys bookshelves during the makeover.
According to the ap style book, the one time when you dont add a trailing s is. The department prefers bullets, but punctuate them per ap style. It pains me that most pr and marketing pros dont use ap style. Updated regularly since its initial publication in 1953, the ap stylebook provides fundamental guidelines for spelling, language, punctuation, usage and journalistic style.
She smiled, youll want to read this gatehouse newsroom post about how to properly use quotation marks in ap style stories then. The style that many of us are accustomed tosimply adding an apostrophe after the s e. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and. 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. The 2018 stylebook features about 200 new and updated entries, including the following. Pluralize numbers and abbreviations without apostrophes. Add apostrophes if singular, and add an apostrophe if plural. This is the style guide that professional media use. The ap stylebook has a few simple rules for using quotation marks in ap style stories. Five updates to the 2017 associated press stylebook jun 06, 2017 rachel nelson. Capitalization avoid unnecessary capital letters avoid alphabet soup tons of abbreviations. Nonacademic styles, such as ap, suggest simply adding an apostrophe to the end of a word that ends in s. For instance, writing the 1960 s when referring to that entire decade is incorrect. Use numerals for all numbers, unless its a casual reference like hundreds instead of 100s.
If the common noun is plural, both styles use just an apostrophe. It has a lot to do with how printed stories are formatted. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. 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. The new 2018 issue, which became available in may, has more than 200 new entries to help guide journalists and other commutators accurately cover the changing social, political and cultural arenas. Mary norriss thoughts on pesky possessives the new yorker. If someone is quoted as saying, im too old to go back to school, the age is relevant. Associated press style basics journalists resource. See also ap style times, ap style time sequences, and is noon am or pm.
For possessives of singular common nouns ending in s, add s. This is a guide created internally after reaching a group consensus on style for school and communityrelated. Five updates to the 2017 associated press stylebook. The style also allows writers to pair they with everyone in. Its updated throughout the year and valuable onlineonly resources, including ask the editor, topical guides and pronunciation guide, expand on the print books guidance. Fred and ethel s apartment, fred and ethels stocks. The ap stylebook says to make reference of age when it is deemed relevant to the situation. Want to get news agencies to cover your special event. Associated press ap style checklist associated press style is a form of writing used primarily by journalists and public relations professionals. Adding that last layer to a room means arranging and styling surfaces like windowsills, tabletops, and especially empty bookshelves.
The associated press ap stylebook, or more commonly known as the bible around pr agencies and newsrooms, has released its latest edition. The top 9 most contested ap style changes in hopefully. This image was lost some time after publication, but you can still view it here journonerds rejoice. Per apa style, the answer is that the possessive of a singular name. A new chapter with expanded guidance on polls and surveys. Before you get started, gather lots of things in a. Walsh becomes walshes, and malkovich becomes malkoviches. 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. To help them out, ive pulled together some of the most essential rules.
As news is transmitted in more ways than ever before and in more formats than ever, we remain committed to the highest standards of integrity in all areas of business at ap. Justice thomas, whose name ends with an s, seems to favor ap style, which recommends leaving off the extra s. How to write an associated press style press release. If possession is ninetenths of the law, just imagine how important correctly signifying it in your writing is. Launched may 31, the 2017 ap stylebook includes nearly 200 new and updated entries. Ap style is simply a standardized way of writing everything from dates to street addresses to job titles. Aps policy on suicide is to only cover suicide and attempted suicide if the person is wellknown, the circumstances are unusual or its publicly disruptive, minthorn said.
The bill was signed on may 5, 20, two days before the session ended. Associated press style is to use dashes, not bullets, for lists that follow a colon. 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. Two objects dont have to be in motion before they collide april 27, 2018 kristen hare american copy editors society ap stylebook associated press.
Do not format the text in the article only exceptions are. The ap stylebook has many rules and guidelines for how things ought to be written in your text. The perfectbound paperback ap stylebook is published by basic books. The associated press was founded more than 150 years ago and now has thousands of employees working in more than a hundred countries for a readership that numbers in the millions. In that time, ap has endeavored to always be accurate, trustworthy and responsive. Paula, an executive assistant, wrote to ask me to continue the discussion of apostrophes. If the common noun is plural, both styles use just an. You can create your own custom listings and add your own notes on aps entries. Roy peter clark settles the possessive apostrophe debate. The basics ap style study guide flashcards quizlet. Associated press style in a nutshell below are the most important rules you must keep in mind when writing in ap style write the title in normal englishlanguage capitalization.
The spiralbound ap stylebook is updated and published each year, in late may, right after memorial day. You must register and have a current subscription to access ap stylebook online register now. You can leave these to the last minute, as they are the finishing touches rather than the backbone of your design. Unlike academic writing, ap style does not require a reference list or in text citations. Register to view your products, order status, shipment trackings and manage your account settings. What really matters to my readers is punctuation and ap style.