In contrast, the associated press stylebook advises against it. The gold standard in publishing guidelines, we eagerly await its release each year. Its updated throughout the year and valuable onlineonly resources, including ask the editor, topical guides and pronunciation guide, expand on the print book s guidance. The associated press is a newsgathering organization. Instead, use spokesman if referring to a man or the office in general, or spokeswoman if referring to a woman. In ap style, omit the comma before the last item in a simple series, such as joe, john and steve. There are 11 simple rules that govern the comma in ap style.
It is published and updated annually to reflect changes in writing style and new guidelines. However, chicago style or the chicago manual of style, which is commonly used by book publishers, academics and trade publications does require an oxford comma. Chicago, being twice as long as ap, has twice as much to say on this subject and offers several more variations of proper serial comma usage on which the ap is mum 6. But overzealous oxford comma fans and well intentioned copy editors have misinterpreted this guidance to mean you should never use the serial comma. Your side, my side, and their side business writing. The new ap stylebook will not end the oxford comma debate more the venerable style guide you know and love, or maybe love to complain about, the ap stylebook, is having a big birthday. In most cases, however, the stylebook suggests using a generic reference such as the agency or the alliance for all references after the first. Five updates to the 2017 associated press stylebook. These are a few of the announcements that stood out. The ap stylebook uses commas to set off elements in city and state references as well as month and year dates.
Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used in answers. Even saying between clauses but not compound predicates depends on the type of node rather than on the movement down and. The first part of the state names entry says they should be spelled out when used in the body of a story, whether standing alone or in conjunction with a city, town, village or military base. In canada, the stylebook published by the canadian press advises against it. The associated press ap stylebook, or more commonly known as the bible around pr agencies and newsrooms, has released its latest edition. Ap style essential phrases, nonessential phrases writing. Comma before as well as most of the time, you dont need a comma before as well as.
Use the abbreviations only after a full name and set the abbreviations off with commas e. Ap style essential phrases, nonessential phrases instead of using the traditional restrictive phrase and nonrestrictive phrase, ap style uses essential phrase and nonessential phrase to convey the distinction between the two in a more easily remembered manner. Ap style thats the associated press stylebook, which many journalists live by does not use an oxford comma. In this context, as well as is a coordinate conjunction, combining two clauses into one sentence. Some people believe the stylebook bans oxford commas, but we use. 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. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook. The writing term style refers to a set of rules that help ensure that your stories are as clear, consistent and understandable as possible. For even more rule clarifications, check out past editions of our ap stylebook. When a title stands alone or is offset from a name by commas, it should be lowercase. Five updates to the 2017 associated press stylebook jun 06, 2017 rachel nelson.
The 2019 edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law. We can use over as well as more than for greater value neal j. As mentioned above, this is the comma that appears before a conjunction such as and or or in a series. As its name suggests, the ap stylebook is born from the associated press, one of the most commonly used wire services in media. Yesterday, the chicago manual of style announced it would adopt these two styles as well. In short, aps stance is to omit the serial comma except when it prevents misreading, and chicagos stance is to always include itfor the same reason. No newspaper is going to be shut down because they added an oxford comma in a sentence or wrote a date incorrectly. How to use commas in associated press style pen and the pad. The following chart shows some of the major differences in punctuation style between the associated press stylebook 2018 edition and the chicago manual of style 17th edition. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and. Use commas to separate elements in a series, but do not put a comma before the conjunction in a simple series.
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. However, it would become ambiguous if i removed the comma fromt the following. Their stylebook guides the writing of many other news organizations throughout the untied states. The new policy applies to faculty as well as staff. 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. Otherwise, use a neutral word such as representative, leader or authority. Ap style essential phrases, nonessential phrases home. Ap style, the oxford comma, and communication the daily. It is important to note that the ap style guide is just that. When style issues are implicated in this guide, i have usually deferred to the chicago manual of style, 17th edition. Associated press stylebook 2015 and briefing on media law was a textbook for my introduction to journalism course. The venerable style guide you know and love, the ap stylebook. The new ap stylebook will not end the oxford comma debate. That means that its style is derived from the world of print newspapers, where clear, concise writing meant saving space and money at the printers.
If the series includes internal commas that necessitate semicolons or uses a conjunction such as and, include the comma. The 2015 ap stylebook makes the distinction between state names in running text body of the story and state names in datelines. Dont put unfamiliar abbreviations in parentheses after the first reference for. Using a comma turns the thing youre talking about with as well as into an asideinformation thats less important than the rest of the sentence. The ap stylebook persons entry says do not use coined words such as spokesperson or chairperson in regular text. Formal titles in ap style should be capitalized when they immediately precede one or more names. In 2014, ap stylebook ruled that both over and more than are acceptable terms when referring to something of greater numerical value. The ap therefore strives to keep its writing style easy to read, concise and free of bias. The associated press stylebook is a writing style guide for journalists.
However, if the comma is necessary for clarity or if an integral part of the series includes a conjunction, it should be added. A comma is used to separate an introductory clause or phrase from the main clause. Combined with the aces 2019 conference in march, there have been several important ap style rule changes and reminders in recent weeks. The 2019 edition of the associated press stylebook was released this month. Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. Questions about the oxford comma are the most common. Known as the serial comma or the oxford comma, this comma keeps us from running. It is a professional stylebook and journalists follow the information with accuracy. The associated press stylebook, first published in 1977, clarified the news organizations rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage. Ap style thats the associated press stylebook, which many. Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. Stylebook and briefing on media law with internet guide and glossary associated press click here to search the associated press retains all right, title and interest in and to the ap material that follows, including.
Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. Launched may 31, the 2017 ap stylebook includes nearly 200 new and updated entries. The ap style says that a comma is not needed between two clauses that have the same subject. Its where we first heard in 2011 that the associated press would no longer use a hyphen in email and in 2016 that the associate press would lowercase internet. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
The ap stylebooks latest change is wrong, but thats. 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. Its mobile optimized so you can use it on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. The lieutenant governor, gavin newsom, was serving in the. Ap style essential phrases, nonessential phrases home ap style ap style essential phrases, nonessential phrases instead of using the traditional restrictive phrase and nonrestrictive phrase, ap style uses essential phrase and nonessential phrase to convey the distinction between the two in a more easily remembered manner. Use a comma to separate items in a simple series, but exclude a comma before a final conjunction such as with and or or. Use a comma before the last conjunction in a complex series of phrases. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference for most forms of publicfacing. Since its initial publication in 1953, the ap stylebook is a great reference for writers, editors, students and professionals that is updated regularly. When its not in the book different goals, different styles. Either ap style must change to meet the needs of language, or newspapers should exercise leniency with its use in the name of communication.
Every year, editors announce big stylebook changes at the american copy editors society aces annual meeting. Ap stylethe style guide that newspaper reporters adhere todoes not require the use of the oxford comma. This material may not be resold, sublicensed, or distributed without written permission. Ap style is to not include a comma before the conjunction in a simple series like the flag is red, white and blue. New york law enforcement officials confirmed friday that four more copy editors were killed this week amid ongoing violence between two rival gangs divided by their loyalties to the the associated press stylebook and the chicago manual of style at this time we have reason to believe the killings were gangrelated and carried out by adherents of both the ap and chicago. When you walk straight down the hall, you will be met with two doors. There are a number of style guides available for journalists, the two most prominent of which are the associated press stylebook and the chicago manual of style ap style was established over time by the associated press, which. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. I emailed my father as well as the president and the director of the fbi. When an element in a series has a conjunction, use a comma for distinction. Do not use a comma when using a phrase like as well as, in which the clause is essential and restrictive. If youre a serial comma lover, its not the one youre hoping for. Do not use an apostrophe when there is no apostrophe in bachelor of arts or master of science. I get criticized by stylebook adherents most commonly of the ap stylebook who insist that the type of clause, or phrase, or other construct, determines whether a comma is to be inserted, rather than the parsing context.
1532 770 517 1145 1448 1311 1374 1074 808 817 960 781 529 73 149 624 575 640 1103 518 180 1258 137 379 1047 725 446 495 1312 470 1180 1088 779 518