These are the zip code abbreviations for the eight states that are not abbreviated in datelines or text. Datelines appear at the beginning of stories and include the name of the city in all capital letters, usually followed the state or territory in which the city is located. Mar 17, 2008 dictionaries dont all agree on the definitions of these words and neither do style manuals. The associated press stylebook provides a uniform presentation of the printed word to make copy written anywhere understandable everywhere. Ap style state abbreviations for press release dateline follow these associated press guidelines for the u. As noted earlier, epa has an online subscription to the ap book on our intranet. Comments, corrections, requests, and suggestions are welcome. Ap updates its stylebook to accommodate changes in conventions and usage. Mastering the ap style rules for abbreviations bka content. Follow these associated press guidelines for the u. Agricultural style guide for journalists college of. Dates when months are used with specific dates, abbreviate the month. Agricultural terms, definitions, equivalencies, and guide to use. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a.
Before we begin to enlist the abbreviations, it is mandatory for one to learn and garner information about what ap is, with a brief, supplementary note on the history of the same. Ap style does not call for a comma before a conjunction in a simple series, but does allow it for complex series or where an integral element of the series requires a conjunction. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. Here are rules based on associated press style, with modifications or exceptions noted, and with tispecific examples. To help them out, ive pulled together some of the most essential rules. So we will attempt to shed more light on the distinctions. Despite the fact that latin is no longer the international language of scholars, bits and pieces of it can. The ap stylebook says state abbreviations are used in both datelines and in text. You might want to check the ap style for abbreviating state names, though. Ap style thats the associated press stylebook, which many journalists live by does not use an oxford comma. Ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. Sep 19, 2012 professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style.
That is because alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah are. State abbreviations according to ap style gatehouse newsroom. Proponents of the oxford comma say its necessary to avoid potential ambiguity. For spelling, compounding, style, and usage questions that are not covered. If this structure makes the connection between the entity and the abbreviation unclear, its best to just skip using the abbreviation. Street, avenue and boulevard are only abbreviated when with numbered addresses.
Abbreviations are often desired in tabulations and certain types of technical writings. Abbreviate all states except alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. Styles are taken from the 2017 ap stylebook and defense imagery style guide, along with established army public affairs style ar 3601. 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. Ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. The style of the associated press is the gold standard for news writing. Associated press style essentials this ap short guide is modeled on one made available in the past by. If you come across an issue not covered in ti educational technology guide to style and usage, you can check the online edition of the ap stylebook. Let me know what important rules ive missed, or if you see a mistake. Top 5 tips to edit and write in chicago or ap style share for example, i could be asked to write a press release, and then move on to a software documentation project. It requires diligence and attention to exercise and get acquainted with the abbreviated form added by the ap fashion manual.
Crash course on ap style writing visual storytelling. As such, ap style errors in press releases are glaringly obvious to reporters and could turn them off from considering a press release. In other words, do not use abbreviations or acronyms that your readers will. Ap style indicates that metric terms should be included when relevant, although it provides no strict rules for what defines relevance. This site will help you throughout the whole production cycle. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire states name. Below is a list of the top ap style tips that every pr professional should know and some of the most commonly made mistakes. Page 6 states abbreviate all states when they are used with a town or city except for alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. Capitalization avoid unnecessary capital letters avoid alphabet soup tons of abbreviations. E email acceptable in all references for electronic mail. Aug 15, 2019 it wouldnt be ap style without an exception or two. Brand brand standards writing guidelines editorial style guide. The associated press stylebook states that in contexts other than mailing addresses, the traditional state abbreviations should be used. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of.
Unfortunately, we dont have such fixed boundaries for how to abbreviate united states. The thumb rule for the fundamental ap style state abbreviations is that one has to in no way abbreviate the term if the readers will face the issue in identifying what the actual term is. For words that you cannot find in our ap style list, use the firstlisted abbreviation in websters new world dictionary. It wouldnt be ap style without an exception or two. Any state name may be condensed, however, to fit typographical requirements for tabular material. Associated press stylebook 2015 and briefing on media law. A great way to remember this exception is to realize that alaska and hawaii are not in the contiguous united states and the other exempted states. The ap stylebook is widely used as a writing and editing reference tool in newsrooms, classrooms, and offices worldwide. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as. The oxford comma or serial comma is a comma placed between the last two items in a series of three or more. Follow this same practice for communities on islands within. You will still use abbreviations in datelines, photo captions, lists, etc.
Ap style state abbreviations differ from their corresponding united states postal service. I recently wrote a blog post about the future of journalism and how astonished i was to learn that my undergraduate journalism students were never made to even purchase their own copy of the ap stylebook, let alone use it. Ti must use language consistently to preserve its brand. The american psychological association apa publication manual, which is used for writing academic papers, agrees about using the periods. There are eight states that should never be abbreviated in text or datelines. Top 5 tips to edit and write in chicago or ap style proedit. But mastering the 500page book, which is updated every year, can be a daunting task. It is not necessary to include the state abbreviation with chicago.
Ap style is simply a standardized way of writing everything from dates to street addresses to job titles. Spell out the names of the 50 states when they stand alone in. The traditional abbreviations are still commonly used in other ways besides mailing addresses. In general, newspaper style guides in the united states in particular, the associated press stylebook ap and the new york times manual of style and usage recommend u. 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. Instead, simply use the abbreviation the second time that you refer to the organization. Texas is probably not a good one to use as an example.
Newspapers use datelines when the information for a story is obtained outside the papers hometown or general area of service. According to, an abbreviation is a shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase, used to represent the whole, as dr. Please note that social media often calls for exceptions. 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. Please follow ap styleand its companion websters new world college dictionaryfor any topics and words not addressed by university of hartford. Jul, 2019 one of the first things a student in a beginning journalism course learns about is associated press style or ap style for short. For external communication we use the associated press stylebook 2017 for all public documents and materials, excluding correspondence from the administrator and deputy administrator.
In a news story, can you start a sentence with an acronym. Much of this confusion stems from differences between the primary style manuals, as demonstrated below. Ap style also aims to avoid stereotypes and unintentionally offensive language. Publishers locations for apa referencing when you write an apastyle reference list, you need to provide the publishing details publishers name and location when writing reference entries for books, reports, brochures, and other separate, non periodical publications. The following guidance went out on the ap wire wednesday. Do not abbreviate alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. Professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. Those are alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. Ap style highway designations use these forms, as appropriate in the context, for highways identified by number. The names of eight states are never abbreviated in datelines or text. Jul 21, 2016 in ap style, you shouldnt follow the name of an organization with the abbreviation offset by parentheses or dashes.
This handout will explain latin terms and abbreviations you may see in academic writing, will demonstrate how to use the most common ones correctly in your own writing, and will present latin abbreviations used as shortcuts in citations. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used in answers. The associated press stylebook, the usage guide for most united states newspapers, counsels the use of abbreviations for most state names, when appended. Fully revised and updated, this new edition contains more than 3,000 a to z entries including more than 200 new ones detailing the ap s rules. With the ap stylebook in hand, you can learn how to write and edit with the clarity and professionalism for which they are famous. There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state abbreviations. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Associated press style guidelines summarized by prof. If you want to know all about the ap style state abbreviations, you have been a wise soul to click on this article. Generally ap style omits periods in acronyms, unless doing so would spell an unrelated word. Some widely known abbreviations are required in certain situations, while others are. Ap style is what the general public is accustomed to seeing because it is the official stylebook of the newspaper industry. If you are going to write for a newspaper even some magazines you need to have your ap style guide handy. For example, they can be used in writing after a city like in miami, fla. There is indeed a science and art behind writing a press release. Loyola follows associated press style guidelines, except where indicated in this guide, which supersedes ap style.
Abbreviations for states and provinces traditional abbreviations for states and provinces begin with a capital letter and end with a period. However, the chicago manual of style now recommends use of the uppercase twoletter abbreviations, with the traditional forms as an option. Put commas after the day of the week, the month and the year. Those states are alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas, and utah. Ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. Alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas, and utah. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state abbreviations rules. In order to create a playlist on sporcle, you need to verify the email address you used during registration. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules. In fact, the sheer number of conflicting guidelines can make you feel like youve driven right off the grammar map.
Abbreviate all other states as they are listed on our ap style state abbreviations page. These abbreviations short names were used in mailing addresses before the introduction of twoletter u. Ap style holds that a few universally recognized abbreviations are required in some instances and some other abbreviations are acceptable depending on the context, but in general, as a writer, you should avoid having your writing appear as if its alphabet soup. Sba marketing and promotional materials follow the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law, though we do have a few exceptions that are noted in this guide. Abbreviate state names when preceded by the name of a city, county, etc. Two guidelines for the use of metric measurements in a story. Villanova is the oldest catholic university in pennsylvania.
Most style guides, including the chicago manual of style, advise that if you have to abbreviate the word continue, you should write cont and add a period after it. Ap stylebook has provided a list indicating exactly how the states should be shortened. Most of these examples were taken from the ap stylebook. It is intended as a supplement to the associated press stylebook. Government printing office style manual 2016 is used for internal communication. Please follow ap styleand its companion websters new world college dictionaryfor any topics and words not addressed by university of hartford editorial style. Road and other related causeways such as court, drive, lane, way, etc. Withthe ap stylebook in hand, you can learn how to write and edit with the clarity and professionalism for which they are famous.
The information below highlights some key guidance as well as critical areas in which nij style deviates from ap. Alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. On a regional level, additional cities may stand alone should the newspaper staff decide so. The associated press stylebook at uams the university of arkansas for medical sciences uams has adopted the associated press ap guidelines for grammar, punctuation and writing style. The information included in this site is a compilation of rules from previous oracle writing stylebooks, the newer guides written by current editors, and writing tips from the gunn english department.
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