* When a state is used alone in a sentence, spell it out, but if a state is used with a city, follow these abbreviations (Note that some states are never abbreviated):
The AP Stylebook, also known by its full name The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, is an American English grammar style and usage guide created by American journalists working for or connected with the Associated Press.
Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference for most forms of public-facing corporate communication over the last half-century. The Stylebook offers a basic reference to American English grammar, punctuation, and principles of reporting, including many definitions and rules for usage as well as styles for capitalization, abbreviation, spelling, and numerals.
AP style is simply a standardized way of writing everything from dates to street addresses to job titles. AP style was developed and is maintained by The Associated Press, the world’s oldest news service. It’s used by the vast majority of newspapers in the U.S.
The Associated Press Stylebook by Numbers
Percentages: Percentages are always expressed as numerals, followed by the word “percent.” Do not use the symbol %.
Ages: Ages are always expressed as numerals.
Dollar Amounts: Dollar amounts are always expressed as numerals, and the “$” sign is used.
Street Addresses: Numerals are used for numbered addresses. Street, Avenue, and Boulevard are abbreviated when used with a numbered address but otherwise are spelled out. Route and Road are never abbreviated.
State abbreviations*: AP doesn’t follow standard ZIP code abbreviations – e.g., MA for Massachusetts. Each state has its own abbreviation – e.g., Mass. for Massachusetts; N.Y. for New York; Calif. for California; Fla. for Florida, and so on.* However, eight states – Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah – aren’t abbreviated. No state abbreviations are needed for well-known U.S. cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, etc.
Dates and Time:
Job Titles: Job titles are generally capitalized when they appear before a person’s name, but lowercase after the name.
Film, Book & Song Titles: Generally, these are capitalized and placed in quotation marks. Do not use quote marks with reference books or the names of newspapers or magazines.
Miscellaneous Items:
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.
Example:
Jane Kim said she enjoys skating....Kim also stated that skating could be dangerous.
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.
Example:
"This place is incredible," said John Jackson, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Spell out numbers less than 10.
Use Arabic numerals for values greater than 10.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has two daughters, but he was not prepared for the mob of nearly 200 screaming 14-year-olds.
Strike this from your vocabulary: "at about"
Something either happened specifically at some time or about some time.
No: At about 5 a.m., the 7-11 was robbed.
Yes: At 5 a.m., the 7-11 was robbed.
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.
Yes: At 9 a.m. the store will open.
Abbreviate the following months in dates:
No: A burglar robbed the store on September 11, 2008.
Yes: A burglar robbed the store on Sept. 11, 2008.
When not part of a date, use the whole month name:
Example: In January 2008, we celebrated New Years' Day.
If you have a full, numbered address to print, then abbreviate the street.
He robbed the house at 314 E. 22nd St.
If you only have a street name, spell out the street.
The robbery was at East 33rd Street and Greenmount Avenue.
Titles are always abbreviated.
In the first reference, and onward, you may abbreviate titles.
Gov. (Governor)
Lt. Gov (Lieutenant Governor)
Rep. (Representative)
The Rev. (Reverend)
Sen. (The Senator)
