Sep 19, 2012 professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. We also have relatively firm definitions of our geographic regions, such as the midwest and the northeast. To subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the book, start here. When the name of a state name appears in the body of a text, spell it out. The associated press has already raised considerable ire with its decision to make over an acceptable substitute for more than, but it isnt finished making changes to its widely used stylebook. London ap susie blann, who has helped lead video coverage through europe and africa, has been named by the associated press as its united kingdom and ireland news director and special events. A partial spelling with hyphens in place of some letters would convey the meaning.
Some states are abbreviated, as is the united states with periods u. A good way to remember these eight is to always spell out the names of the two states outside the contiguous united states hawaii and alaska and the states inside the contiguous united states with five letters or less. Some organizations and government agencies are widely recognized by their initials and can be referred to using their. Ap suggests spelling out the names of alaska, hawaii, and all states with five or fewer letters. The associated press stylebook, the usage guide for most united states newspapers, counsels the use of abbreviations for most state names, when appended to a city name for example, santa ana, calif. For a full list of ap style state abbreviations, see our full page. Professor spell out mildred berg, a native of carbondale, comma illinois, yesterday criticized both president spell out lyndon johnson and the united states constitution spell out. Ap stylebook rules for height, feet, inches gatehouse. Twelve common mistakes of ap style apr 19, 2011 admin. Per ap style, professional or job titles given after a persons name are in lower case. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state abbreviations rules. It wasnt about my prose, reporting, or lede, but that i neglected to abbreviate september. As noted earlier, epa has an online subscription to the ap book on our intranet.
Junior varsity jv no periods certain organizations the first time the name of an organization is used, spell out the entire name. The individual cities, counties, and states within the united states have definite borders. In the past, states were generally abbreviated in domestic articles and news stories, but they were always spelled out in international content. So the current guideline seems to advocate using u. But before getting into that, lets get it out of the way first to note that if your usage of the country name is a noun, spell it out rather than abbreviating it. When searching for height in the ap stylebook, it refers readers to the dimensions entry. The results of your search have been divided into the following tabbed sections. Apr 23, 2014 ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. In the past we discussed how to correctly use ap style title case, and now were here to tackle the often confused topic of ap style numbers. To see search results from any of these areas of the chicago manual of style online, click on the appropriate tab. Ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a.
Every state in the united states has a specific abbreviation. There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state abbreviations. If you have a specific question that isnt addressed in the usagov platform style guide, consult the united states government publishing office style manual. In other words, all three of the examples below are correct, and you can choose the style that you like best. One of the most heatedly debated over the years is the spelling of web site ap or website as much of the online community. Until the 17th edition, chicago style was to spell out the noun in. The writers of most content creation companies usually write using a popular style guide ap, apa, chicago, mla mixed with a house style. Ap style ap style standing alone spell out the names of. Ap style seems to allow for multiple spacesaving adaptations for headlineslike using numerals in headlines, but spelling out numbers under 10 in the body of the text. Note that both style guides have different rules for numbers in situations such as percentages, measurements and currency. To make matters worse, some wellrespected style guides recommend the first. The prime minister left for the united states yesterday. Spell out all generic parts of street names avenue, north, road.
Ap is set to make some major changes in the upcoming stylebook. If used as part of organization names, see the ap stylebook under u. The first is that using the full united states of america is usually not necessary in most writing. Obviously, if you are quoting someone, or a document, stay true to their words. Alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. Capitalize the word room when used with the number of the room. Even though the question of how to abbreviate the united states seems straightforward, as it happens, theres more than one preferred way to write it. Do not capitalize federal, state, department, division, board. Aug 15, 2019 learning all the states was hard enough as a kid, but now you need to memorize the ap style state name abbreviations. By the way, ap style has a similar rule for abbreviating united kingdom. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. The following guidance went out on the ap wire wednesday.
In the united states, 67% reported this experience. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of. Ap style seems to allow for multiple spacesaving adaptations for headlineslike using numerals in headlines, but spelling out numbers under. Spell out and lowercase representative and senator in all other uses. Ap style it will be website and spell out state names. One of the most heatedly debated over the years is the spelling of web site ap or w. The chicago manual of style, 15th edition 2003 comes out strongly in favor of spelling out united states. It focuses on clear and concise writing, with each paragraph only being about two or three sentences long. Ap style holds that you should use periods in the abbreviation for united states within text. United states is usually only spelled out when part of a proper name or quote. In running text, spell out united states as a noun. Ap style guide quick reference the difference between academic writing and ap style most, if not all, of the documents created by the department are shared with the public, the education community and the media.
Should the names of decades be capitalized when written out. United states, united nations, united kingdom spell out united states, united nations, and united kingdom when they do not. Although some publications such as the new york times have developed their own style guidelines, a basic knowledge of ap style is considered essential to those who want to work in print journalism. Abbreviations united states as a noun, united states. Abbreviations other apa guidelines academic guides at. Ap updates its stylebook to accommodate changes in conventions and usage. In apa style, united states should always be spelled out when it is used as a noun or location.
Government printing office style manual says that united states should be spelled out unless it is used as an adjective for government intentionally capitalized, a government agency, or a general noun, in which case the abbreviation should include periods. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. The crossed out words in the following examples dont add anything and can be eliminated. At bka, we prefer ap style, which is a standard in journalism. Until the 17th edition, chicago style was to spell out the noun in running text, but abbreviate the adjective as us.
The names of eight states are never abbreviated in datelines or text. When writing about the government of the united states of america there are some basic rules to follow. In general, you should spell out all numbers one through nine and use figures only for numbers 10 and above. Nov 06, 2015 in the past we discussed how to correctly use ap style title case, and now were here to tackle the often confused topic of ap style numbers. However, i was always told that very few abbreviations are to be used in formal writing, and the abbreviation u. The change is being made to be consistent in style for domestic and international stories, as international stories traditionally spell out state names in the body of stories. 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. Get your the smart writers simple ap style cheat sheet guide now. Ap style isnt keen on using state abbreviations in titles, so spell them out. Greenwich mean time may be abbreviated as gmt on second reference if. Whats the preferred way to write the abbreviation for united states. Writing principles usagov platform style guide usagov. Note also that apa style guidelines prefer the use of united states as a noun over america, and u. Wildfires continued to rage through southern california yesterday.
Spell out the names of the states whether standing alone or with a place name. In the 16th edition, the entry on us versus united states said, in running text, spell out united states as a noun. Use the state abbreviations found below when they are. Professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. You can either spell out united states or abbreviate it, with periods or without. Ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. Unlike academic writing, ap style does not require a reference list or in text citations. Many newspapers, magazines and public relations offices across the united states use ap style. Ap style is what the general public is accustomed to seeing because it is the official stylebook of the newspaper industry. In ap style, spell out whole numbers up to and including nine.
Spell out the names of the states in text when they appear alone. Unfortunately, we dont have such fixed boundaries for how to abbreviate united states. Junior varsity jv no periods certain organizations the first time the name of an organization is used, spell out. Improve your writing with this cheat sheet for the associated press ap style guide for writers and freelancers. Spell out all references to time zones not used within the contiguous united states. If you write your press releases in ap style, get ready to start spelling out massachusetts a lot more often. In headlines under ap style, however, its postal style us no periods. Spell out the names of the two states that are not part of the contiguous united states and of the continental states that are five letters or fewer. In formal writing, spell out the two words as united states, as in the example. The united states has more pet dogs than any other country in the world. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire states name.
Any state name may be condensed, however, to fit typographical requirements for tabular material. When the name of a city and state are used together, the name of the state should be. Always spell out measurements inches, feet, yards gallons, ounces, pounds etc. Jan 02, 2018 ap style seems to allow for multiple spacesaving adaptations for headlineslike using numerals in headlines, but spelling out numbers under 10 in the body of the text. He was a member of the kansas legislature, then the u. States spell out the names of the states in text when they appear alone. Apr 25, 2014 if you write your press releases in ap style, get ready to start spelling out massachusetts a lot more often. Apr 26, 2014 effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of stories. Currently, most state names are abbreviated in stories. For example, you would have written in the united states, people tend to spell the word graywith an a, but now in chicago style its also ok to write in the us, people tend to spell the word graywith an a. In order to uphold the integrity and image of the department, it is essential to use a consistent writing style.
Aug 07, 2012 the prime minister left for the united states yesterday. Ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. Dont abbreviate names of states with five letters or fewer or which are not part of the continental united states. Ap now reinstitutes the spell out state names style. Use the aps state abbreviations with place names only in lists and tabular material, or shortform listings of party. I remember when i filed one of my first bylines for a newspaper only to get my inbox slammed with emails from my editor in chief. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of stories.
In headlines, however, the abbreviation has no periods. Associated press ap style checklist associated press style is a form of writing used primarily by journalists and public relations professionals. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. If used as an adjective, abbreviate without spaces. For other organizations, spell it out on first mention, then use abbreviations for subsequent. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a.
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