Of course, use state abbreviations in conjunction with the name of a city, town, village or military base in most datelines. For a full list of ap style state abbreviations, see our full page. There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state abbreviations. 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. Ap style state abbreviations for press release dateline follow these associated press guidelines for the u.
If you want to know all about the ap style state abbreviations, you have been a wise soul to click on this article. Associated press style quick reference guide to subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the book, start here. Other acronyms and abbreviations are acceptable but not required i. Ap stylebook quick reference the following resource provides standardized guidance to army public affairs professionals on writing articles and captions, as well as entering metadata associated. Since 1894, the gpo style manual has served as a guide to the style and form of federal government printing and publishing. 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. Ak alaska, hi hawaii, id idaho, ia iowa, me maine, oh ohio, tx texas, ut utah. The 2017 ap stylebook uses periods most of the time. States spell out the names of the states in text when they appear alone. 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. 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. As usual, the stylebook has added new and current listings to keep up with the world. In the intext citation, provide only the surnames along with the year. Some others are acceptable depending on the context.
Colon capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state abbreviations rules. The names of certain states and the united states are abbreviated with periods in some circumstances. Use the abbreviations only after a full name and set the. 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. Ap suggests spelling out the names of alaska, hawaii, and all states with five or fewer letters. With the ap stylebook in hand, you can learn how to write and edit with the clarity and professionalism for which they are famous. 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. Postal service abbreviations for states unless you are providing a full address including zip code. My students understand the book because of the way it is organized. Ap definitive source a new look for ap stylebook online. Punctuation use a comma to separate a year used with a date.
Also use state abbreviations in conjunction with the name of a city, county, town, village or military base in. Some organizations and government agencies are widely recognized by their initials and can be referred to using their. How do you make names that end in s possessive and would you welcome a change to ap style. 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. Best of ap style and grammarpunctuationspelling gps 1. Ap style state abbreviations differ from their corresponding united states postal service abbreviations, provided in parentheses. Associated press style is to use dashes, not bullets, for lists that follow a colon. Of course, use state abbreviations in conjunction with the.
When abbreviating the state names, dont make the mistake of using the postal code abbreviations. Quiz by elsieviste ap style rulesstate abbreviations quiz by elsieviste. Ap stylebook rules for datelines, cities that stand alone. 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.
It includes all stylebook listings, plus an ask the editor feature with more than twice as many entries as the book itself, a pronunciation guide with phonetic spellings and audio pronouncers, and topical style guides about news events. Do not use an apostrophe when there is no apostrophe in bachelor of arts or master of science. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. Jul 21, 2016 im a huge fan of abbreviations because they make communication easier and spare me from unnecessary typing. Some states are abbreviated, as is the united states with periods u. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire states name.
The 2016 edition of the gpo style manual is the first revision to be issued under gpos new name, u. The national pta stylebook highlights some of the most important entries from the ap stylebook, as well as the exceptions we use as part of our brand. Jan 02, 2018 a client used to abbreviate the united states as u. The ap stylebook states to not follow an organizations full name with an abbreviation or acronym in parenthesis or set off by dashes. 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. Heres the full ap stylebook entry on the district of columbia. Heres a refresher course what the ap stylebook says for datelines and cities that stand alone in datelines the domestic list of cities that stand alone is on page 79 of the 2010 ap stylebook, and it is a good idea to mark this page with a sticky note of some sort so it is easy to find and you never list the state, country or territory unnecessarily. If a state s name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire state s name. Al for alabama alaska ak this state is not abbreviated in text ariz. Can you name the ap style rulesstate abbreviations test your knowledge on this geography quiz to see how you do and compare your score to others. The new ap stylebook, the largest yet at 638 pages, includes about 200 new or revised entries, with chapters covering business, fashion, food, religion. State abbreviations according to ap style gatehouse newsroom. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook.
Send contributions to relief fund, box 185, pasadena, ca 91030. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. To subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the. Use ap style to abbreviate the names of states in datelines, lists, photo captions, etc. The release of the 2018 associated press stylebook is an appropriate time to look at how these guidebooks have changed over the years, and how they have also stayed the same. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. Its mobile optimized so you can use it on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Spell out the names of the 50 states when they stand alone in. Best of ap style and grammarpunctuationspelling gps. The 2017 edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law includes nearly 200 new or revised entries and a new chapter on data journalism guidance.
Select the sentence free of errors in ap style for abbreviations for print publications. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference. The visg adheres to the tenets of spelling, grammar, punctuation and general style outlined by ap. Consult the associated press stylebook for specific cases. For slide presentations of ap style basics, go here. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and refer to it when in doubt. In particular we sought and received many member views on a variety of difficult questions so that this book could reflect what members wanted. Choose from 196 different sets of state abbreviations ap style flashcards on quizlet.
Do not capitalize federal, state, department, division, board. The subscriptionbased ap stylebook online is updated throughout the year with new and revised entries. Use twoletter postal codes ca in tabular matter unless your publisher prefers traditional abbreviations calif. This publication supplements ap and pertains to dodspecific issues not addressed, such as military terms describing service. It goes on to say that if an abbreviation or acronym would. Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. May 01, 2014 making compound words possessive, such as the attorney generals report. The style of the associated press is the gold standard for news writing. Use abbreviations for degrees only when you need to include a list. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of stories. It ranges from the staff of the associated press to editors and writers on member newspapers, to other individuals and groups with special interests in some subjects. It goes on to say that if an abbreviation or acronym would not otherwise be clear upon its second reference, do not use it.
Note that the ap stylebook is updated every year, but the chicago manual of style is updated less often. The following guidance went out on the ap wire wednesday. Follow these associated press guidelines for the u. This updated and revised version of the associated press stylebook has been organized like a dictionary. Spell out the names of all states when used alone and in body text. Mar 17, 2008 the chicago manual of style says, use no periods with abbreviations that appear in full capitals, whether two letters or more and even if lowercase letters appear within the abbreviation. Here is how each state is abbreviated in ap style with the postal code. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization. We also have relatively firm definitions of our geographic regions, such as the midwest and the northeast. Before posing a question to ap editor david minthorn, search the accompanying style archives for your topic.
The 2019 edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law. Ask the editor provides answers, clarification and guidance on style issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. Professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. We are discussing a possible change to our guidance on the possessive form of singular proper names ending in s. However, there are exceptions for large cities that stand alone in datelines. Learn ap stylebook with free interactive flashcards. A few universally recognized abbreviations, such as co. The american psychological association apa publication manual, which is used for writing academic papers, agrees about using the periods. Many newspapers, magazines and public relations offices across the united states use ap style. The associated press stylebook states that in contexts other than mailing addresses, the traditional state abbreviations should be used. Ap stylebook type search query into the search bar below. Sp 17 ap style guide university of texas at austin. Printed in the united states of america printed by banta book group first edition, august 1977 35th edition, 2000.
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. These are the zip code abbreviations for the eight states that are not abbreviated in datelines or text. States should only be abbreviated when following the name of a city e. Abbreviations united states as a noun, united states. The good news the positive here is that the grammar gods dont care either way, so if these rules arent in line with your house style or your clients way of writing, then scrap the. Ap style rulesstate abbreviations quiz by elsieviste. Ap style lists a number of acronyms and abbreviations that can be used on first reference without definition. The department prefers bullets, but punctuate them per ap style. In order to create a playlist on sporcle, you need to verify the email address you used during registration. In conjunction with the name of a city, town, village or military base in text. Aug 15, 2019 if youd like a more visually appealing way to reference ap style state name abbreviations, save this map weve created with all the names you need.
The associated press ap stylebook reference b is the primary reference for writing effectivecaptions. New edition of the gpo style manual news january 12, 2017 gpo releases the 31st edition, first revision since 2008 the 2016 edition of the gpo style manual is the first revision to be issued under gpos new name, u. Learning all the states was hard enough as a kid, but now you need to memorize the ap style state name abbreviations. But it made me wonder, what are the rules for how one should abbreviate the united states. The ap stylebook says state abbreviations are used in both datelines and in text. Choose from 100 different sets of ap stylebook flashcards on quizlet. The prime minister left for the united states yesterday. Mastering the ap style rules for abbreviations bka content. The associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style. Ap style place acronyms in parentheses after the full term on first use in the text. On wednesday, professor james currier, who has a doctorate in biology and a masters in economics, will argue that improving automobile fuel efficiency from an average of 17 to 22 miles per gallon would save billions of dollars and protect endangered.
Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. Sp 17 ap style guide university blog service the university of. However, the chicago manual of style now recommends use of the uppercase twoletter abbreviations, with the traditional forms as an option. On a regional level, additional cities may stand alone should the newspaper staff decide so. Ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. After each bullet, capitalize the first letter and use periods at the end of each item. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. May 04, 2017 ap mentions to also abbreviate states in datelines, credit lines, and shortform party affiliation dariz. The individual cities, counties, and states within the united states have definite borders.
Department of defense visual information style guide. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. I ordered and received the 2017 edition of the ap stylebook, but it doesnt match the photo here. Sep 19, 2012 professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. Unfortunately, we dont have such fixed boundaries for how to abbreviate united states.
The 2017 stylebook includes additions and changes made throughout the year on ap stylebook online, including new guidance on the use of they as a singular, genderneutral pronoun. As a general rule, though, you should avoid what the associated press stylebook calls alphabet soup. You will still use abbreviations in datelines, photo. Ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. The bill was signed on may 5, 20, two days before the session ended.
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