Any state name may be condensed, however, to fit typographical requirements for tabular material. Mastering the ap style rules for abbreviations bka content. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. The ap therefore strives to keep its writing style easy to read, concise and free of bias.
This article explains the capitalization of state names. Generally ap style omits periods in acronyms, unless doing so would spell an unrelated word. The associated press stylebook states that in contexts other than mailing addresses, the traditional state abbreviations should be used. These abbreviations short names were used in mailing addresses before the introduction of twoletter u. Ap style state abbreviations differ from their corresponding us postal service abbreviations, are in parentheses. American forces press service supplement to the associated press stylebook effective april 2, 2012 american forces press service uses associated press style. If an acronym would not be clear to the intended audience on second reference without this arrangement, do not use it. Some writers and editors still prefer to use the older forms of state abbreviations see traditional abbreviations in the table below, though this is rare. Postal service abbreviations for states unless you. If necessary, follow it with the state abbreviation not the u. Its mobile optimized so you can use it on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.
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. The associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style guide of the associated press, a notforprofit news agency thats been around since 1846. Also, be sure to use a lowercase state in both of these instances to avoid any confusion. Ae is used for armed forces in europe, the middle east, africa, and canada. Now in its sixth edition, the stylebook is the standard style. The associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style guide of the. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as. Ap style does use periods in most twoletter abbreviations. The guidelines help writers present clear and concise information with consistent structure to keep readers focused. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference. Professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. Use the twoletter postal service abbreviations only with full addresses, including zip code. The associated press stylebook, first published in 1977, clarified the news organizations rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage.
Books and magazines often italicize newspaper names as well as book titles and magazine names as part of their inhouse style. Youll find the list of acceptable abbreviations under state names in the hardcover and digital version of the ap stylebook. In ap style, the names of newspapers and magazines are not italicized or set off in quotation marks. For words not in this book use the firstlisted abbreviation in websters new world college dictionary. At bka, we prefer ap style, which is a standard in journalism. However, the chicago manual of style now recommends use of the uppercase twoletter abbreviations, with the traditional forms as an option.
Which cities dont need a state abbreviation in ap style. If you want to know all about the ap style state abbreviations, you have been a wise soul to click on this article. There are exceptions where the first name may be used on its own in subsequent. Ap suggests spelling out the names of alaska, hawaii, and all states with five or fewer letters.
Spell out the names of all states when used alone and in body text. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. May 21, 2009 for words not in this book use the firstlisted abbreviation in websters new world college dictionary.
Currently, most state names are abbreviated in stories. Election terminology, writing with context and cliches to avoid are included. Mar 14, 2015 below is a list of ap style state abbreviations. Learn state abbreviations ap style with free interactive flashcards. The associated press has a stylebook with rules and standards used primarily in journalistic and news writing. There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state abbreviations. Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook.
The 2016 edition of the gpo style manual is the first revision to be issued under gpos new name, u. Mar 24, 2016 keep in mind that ap changed the rules for using state abbreviations in the body of a story, and you now spell out the names of all 50 u. Neither means that the usual headlinestyle or titlestyle caps still apply, but the titlename is naked as far as quotes and italics are concerned. A refreshing ap stylebook refresher on datelines and places. In 1987, the secretary of commerce switched to the more commonly used twoletter postal code abbreviations. Spell out all generic parts of street names avenue, north, road. Then, use only their last name on subsequent mentions. The following choices will describe your meaning more accurately. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook. For example, they can be used in writing after a city like in miami, fla. 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. When the name of a city and state are used together, the name of the state should be abbreviated except for alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah.
State abbreviations according to ap style gatehouse newsroom. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state. Abbreviations for states use postal service style, rather than ap style. Ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes. The national rifle association announced on monday it will move its state headquarters to the erickson building. 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. Listed in this supplement are exceptions to, and situations not covered in, the associated press stylebook. 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 names of each state represent specific places and must be capitalized. Ap stylebook rules for datelines, cities that stand alone. Using correct ap style for book, movie, and song titles. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. The traditional abbreviations are still commonly used in other ways besides mailing addresses. The main objective of any type of writing is to help people understand what you are trying to say and explain. Ap style dictates specific comma placement in a series and with dialogue, dates, numbers. 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. The names of eight states are never abbreviated in datelines or text. How to use commas in associated press style pen and the pad. This module aims to meet most of these requirements. It also contains some points covered in ap but included here for convenience. Do not use periods in abbreviations that are in headlines. However, there are a few other grammar rules to be aware of when it comes to writing the names of states.
Use abbreviations and acronyms sparingly, only when nothing else works. 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. Within a paragraph, capitalize the word after a colon if it is a proper name or if it begins a complete sentence. Do not follow an organizations full name with an abbreviation or acronym in parentheses or set off by dashes. 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.
Keep in mind that ap changed the rules for using state abbreviations in the body of a story, and you now spell out the names of all 50 u. The only exception to this is when you are referring. The thumb rule for the basic ap style state abbreviations is that one should never abbreviate the term if the readers will face difficulty in figuring out what the actual term is. Ap itself along with gi and eu are exceptions to this rule. Test your knowledge on this miscellaneous quiz to see how you do and compare your score to others. Its often used by news organizations, magazines, and web publications, but brands often use it to form the basis of their own style guides, too.
An interactive geography lesson about abbreviations of states. There are exceptions where the first name may be used on its own in subsequent references, but this is much more casual. In line with this, use state of washington or washington state to differentiate the state from the district of columbia. Datelines datelines on stories should contain a city name. When abbreviating the state names, dont make the mistake of using the postal code abbreviations. Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. Follow these associated press guidelines for the u. Associated press website faq this faq webpage from the ap is a great source of information on current issues of grammar, style, punctuation, abbreviations, and other style questions. Ap style state abbreviations for press release dateline follow these associated press guidelines for the u. Place one comma between the city and the state name, and another after the state name. However, the chicago manual of style now recommends use of the uppercase twoletter abbreviations, with the. For subsequent references, use only the persons last name, per ap style and common journalistic practice. 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. The following guidance went out on the ap wire wednesday.
According to the ap style book, dates should be formatted as such dates always use numerical figures, without st, nd, rd, or th. Lowercase is preferred unless it is in the state s name south dakota but southern illinois. Abbreviate junior or senior directly after a name, with no comma to set it off. Remember that, in datelines, the city name is in all capital letters. Days of the week days of the week should be capitalized and not abbreviated.
To subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the book. Sep 19, 2012 professional journalists and business communicators in the united states commonly write in associated press ap style. As it is necessary, use new york state to differentiate the state of new york from new york city. A refreshing ap stylebook refresher on datelines and. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of stories.
In narrative text, use a persons full name at first reference. Generally, omit periods in acronyms unless the result would spell an unrelated word. Since 1894, the gpo style manual has served as a guide to the style and form of federal government printing and publishing. Postal and traditional state abbreviations reference guide. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. Ap style does not require the name of a state to accompany the names of the. This is intended as a quick rundown or cheat sheet. Select the sentence free of errors in ap style for abbreviations for print publications. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire states name. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules. Ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. States should also be abbreviated when used as part of a shortform political affiliation.
Abbreviations for states and provinces traditional abbreviations for states and provinces begin with a capital letter and end with a period. In order to create a playlist on sporcle, you need to verify the email address you used during registration. 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 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. Use the aps state abbreviations with place names only in lists and tabular material, or shortform listings of party affiliation. Following is the breakdown between ap style and chicago style. Many public relations offices and publications, such as magazines and newspapers, use ap style as a standardized writing style. Spell out the names of the 50 states when they stand alone in. However, when referring to a city and the state in which it is located, although chicago recommends retaining the spelledout version of the state name san diego, california, ap style calls for abbreviating the state name san diego, calif. For slide presentations of ap style basics, go here.
Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used. When the name of a state name appears in the body of a text, spell it out. Spell out the names of the states whether standing alone or with a place name. Every state in the united states has a specific abbreviation. 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 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. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state abbreviations rules. American forces press service supplement to the associated. Of course, use state abbreviations in conjunction with the name. Jul 21, 2016 im a huge fan of abbreviations because they make communication easier and spare me from unnecessary typing. Plase one comma between the city and the state name, and another comma after the state name, unless ending a sentence or indicating a dateline. So, i am providing a reference for those who may be interested.
Ap style holds to the general rule of lowercasing compass directions and capitalizing regions. Jan 24, 2020 some writers and editors still prefer to use the older forms of state abbreviations see traditional abbreviations in the table below, though this is rare. There is indeed a science and art behind writing a press release. The associated press was founded in 1848 as a cooperative effort among six new york. No state name is necessary if its the same as the dateline. Alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. Ap stylebook says state abbreviations are used in both datelines and in text. Style and punctuation uw brand university of washington. The purpose of a style guide is to provide editorial guidance for individuals producing collegerelated text, for print or the web, particularly in instances when empire state college has determined a style specific to the institution. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. Choose from 196 different sets of state abbreviations ap style flashcards on quizlet.
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