Key AP Style Guidelines to Know for Newswriting

AP Style Guidelines are essential for clear and consistent newswriting. They cover everything from abbreviations and capitalization to punctuation and numbers, ensuring that your writing is professional and easily understood by readers. Mastering these rules is key to effective communication.

1. Abbreviations and acronyms

   • Use periods in most two-letter abbreviations (e.g., U.S., U.N.), but not in three-letter acronyms (e.g., NASA, NATO).
   • Spell out the full name on first reference, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses if it will be used again.
   • Avoid using abbreviations that are not widely recognized or understood by the general public.

2. Capitalization

   • Capitalize proper nouns, including names of people, organizations, and specific places.
   • Do not capitalize common nouns unless they are part of a title or heading.
   • Titles before names are capitalized; titles after names are lowercase (e.g., President Joe Biden, but Joe Biden, president).

3. Numbers and numerals

   • Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above.
   • Use numerals for ages, percentages, and dimensions (e.g., 5 years old, 20 percent).
   • Always use numerals for dates, times, and scores (e.g., 3 p.m., 2-1).

4. Dates and times

   • Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year (e.g., Jan. 1, 2023).
   • Do not abbreviate months when they stand alone or with a year (e.g., January 2023).
   • Use figures for time, and lowercase a.m. and p.m. with periods (e.g., 9 a.m., 5 p.m.).

5. Punctuation

   • Use a single space after periods at the end of sentences.
   • Commas and periods go inside quotation marks; colons and semicolons go outside.
   • Avoid the Oxford comma unless necessary for clarity.

6. Titles and names

   • Use full names on first reference; last names only on subsequent references.
   • Capitalize formal titles when they precede a name; lowercase when they follow (e.g., Dr. Jane Smith, but Jane Smith, doctor).
   • Avoid using courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms.) unless relevant to the story.

7. States and cities

   • Abbreviate state names when used with a city (e.g., Atlanta, Ga.), but spell out state names when standing alone.
   • Use the full name of the city and state on first reference; subsequent references can use just the city.
   • Do not use postal abbreviations (e.g., use "Calif." instead of "CA").

8. Quotations

   • Use quotation marks for direct quotes; paraphrased material does not require quotes.
   • Place punctuation inside quotation marks for periods and commas; outside for colons and semicolons.
   • Attribute quotes to the speaker, using a verb like "said" or "stated."

9. Ages

   • Always use numerals for ages (e.g., The boy is 5 years old).
   • Use hyphens for ages expressed as adjectives before a noun (e.g., a 5-year-old boy).
   • Avoid using "aged" in favor of "years old" (e.g., The dog is 3 years old, not aged 3).

10. Addresses

    • Abbreviate "Street," "Avenue," and "Boulevard" when used with a numbered address (e.g., 123 Main St.).
    • Spell out and capitalize "Street," "Avenue," and "Boulevard" when they stand alone or with a city name (e.g., Main Street).
    • Use numerals for all addresses (e.g., 1000 Elm St., not One Thousand Elm Street).