To subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the. You must register and have a current subscription to access ap stylebook online register now. The ap stylebook and other references are available through the uw libraries. Using a or an with acronyms and abbreviations by jeff humepratuch. Test your knowledge with a series of 10question quizzes. Punctuation guide editing marks a abbreviations and acronyms acceptexcept academic degrees academic departments. Abbreviate month names when used with a specific date. Sep 19, 2012 ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. Dont put acronyms in parentheses after the first reference for. As a general rule, alluppercase abbreviations have no periods. Acronyms are pronounced as words, rather than as series of letters. For those who want to work in print journalism, knowledge of ap is essential.
To accomplish that, the agency endorses two editorial styles. Choose from 100 different sets of ap stylebook flashcards on quizlet. Looking for online definition of ap or what ap stands for. Ap is listed in the worlds largest and most authoritative dictionary database of abbreviations and acronyms ap what does ap stand for. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used in answers. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of. Access to ask the editor, where you can search thousands of previously answered questions in the archive and submit your own query to the stylebook editors. Per ap style, spell out street names without a number and abbreviate street names in a complete address. Other acronyms and abbreviations are acceptable but not required i. Style and punctuation uw brand university of washington. As a general rule, though, you should avoid what the associated press stylebook calls alphabet soup. Our approach on abbreviations and acronyms is aligned with the ap stylebook.
Instead, the ap stylebook entry for abbreviations says that abbreviations and acronyms can be used if they are common enough to be well known. Other references, including the chicago manual of style and the gregg reference manual, were consulted in creating the uws house style guidelines. Instead, the ap stylebook entry for abbreviations says that abbreviations and acronyms can be used if they are common enough to be well known publicly. The department prefers bullets, but punctuate them per ap style. If youre writing in ap style, you are never explicitly required to use acronyms. The worlds most comprehensive professionally edited abbreviations and acronyms database. The associated press stylebook and the chicago manual of style recommend the former, the new york times the latter. We follow the ap stylebook s entry on abbreviations and acronyms.
In addition to the stylebook entries below, you should be knowledgeable of the following chapters in the ap stylebook. Too many, the ap style guide warns, produces alphabet soup. These may be used as secondary sources if our house style and ap style dont address an issue youre researching. Use abbreviations for degrees only when you need to include a list.
Learn ap stylebook with free interactive flashcards. As a quick reminder, acronyms are a specific type of. Ap itself along with gi and eu are exceptions to this rule. Do not use periods in abbreviations that are in headlines, unless they are needed for clarity.
The most common, such as nasa, fbi and cia, can be used on all references. Abbreviations, initialisms and acronyms baltimore sun. That does not mean that one should know every single rule in ap as there are over 5000 of them, which are outlined in the ap stylebook. Second reference means the second time the item is used. 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. There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state abbreviations. Styleguard offers recommendations on datelines, abbreviations and acronyms, among many other common style needs, along with items you might not have realized are covered by ap style. Improve your writing with this cheat sheet for the associated press ap style guide for. Do not follow an organizations full name with an abbreviation or acronym in. An abbreviation is not an acronym in general, dont use things the reader wouldnt recognize.
For example, radar if formed from radio detecting and r anging. Using a or an with acronyms and abbreviations apa style. Use all caps, but no periods, in longer abbreviations and acronyms when the individual letters are pronounced. Click a question below to jump straight to its answer. The most important principle in applying any style is to maintain a consistent editorial approach within a specific piece. Chapter sixteen brights, followups, roundups, sidebars and obituaries.
The american psychological association apa publication manual, which is used for writing academic papers, agrees about using the periods. I recall that your class taught me to not follow proper nouns that you plan to abbreviate later with an abbreviation in parenthesis. 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. While acronyms are highly efficient, care needs to be taken when using them. The main references for all university of washington communications are the current editions of the associated press stylebook and websters new world college dictionary. Guard against following an acronym with a word that appears in the acronym. Jun 30, 2019 given the ubiquity of acronyms, knowing the relevant grammar and style rules is crucial. After each bullet, capitalize the first letter and use periods at the end of each item. Note that if youre only going to use an unfamiliar acronym once, its best just to spell out the original term completely and forgo the abbreviated form. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as. For external communication we use the associated press stylebook 2017 for all public documents and materials, excluding correspondence from the administrator and deputy administrator. Do not use acronyms or abbreviations if there is only one reference to the subject or it is an uncommon.
Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style. Some acronyms, such as nato, can be used on first reference. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. Ap style is what the general public is accustomed to seeing because it is the official stylebook of the newspaper industry. Use the ap s state abbreviations with place names only in lists and tabular material, or shortform listings of party affiliation. Ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. If you choose to utilize one, you should usually begin by writing out the full phrase that makes up the acronym. You must register and have a current subscription to access ap stylebook. Dear style experts, how do you tell whether to use a or an with abbreviations. This updated and revised version of the associated press stylebook has been organized like a dictionary. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download.
In addition to the stylebook entries below, you should be knowledgeable of the following sections in the ap stylebook. One of the best ways to tell the difference is to note that abbreviations are a shortened set of letters to indicate a word, you would usually say the whole word, e. An abbreviation, lets take gb from above, is not an acronym. Abbreviate words using capital letters and periods according to the listings in the ap stylebook, using our preferred dictionary.
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. Coast guard stylebook 2009 3 a abbreviations except where noted otherwise in the associated press stylebook and libel manual and the coast guard stylebook example. However, the chicago manual of style now recommends use of the uppercase twoletter abbreviations, with the traditional forms as an option. The associated press stylebook states that in contexts other than mailing addresses, the traditional state abbreviations should be used. 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. The following guidance went out on the ap wire wednesday. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state abbreviations rules. Register to view your products, order status, shipment trackings and manage your account settings. 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. An acronym is formed from the first letters of the words that make up a phrase.
Common va acronyms are listed along with other terms on the word list. Ap style does use periods in most twoletter abbreviations. This abbreviated style guide covers items not mentioned in the ap stylebook, notes items you will most likely encounter, or. Associated press stylebook abbreviations and acronyms. Aps automated style checking tools speed up the editing process by reducing the need to manually refer to the ap stylebook. Aps automated stylechecking tools speed up the editing process by reducing the need to manually refer to the ap stylebook. In a news story, can you start a sentence with an acronym. Editorial style guide university of colorado denver. A primer on the ap style rule for acronyms bka content. 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. For example, radar if formed from radio detecting and ranging.
Ap style place acronyms in parentheses after the full term on first use in the text. As the ap style book writes, names not commonly before the public should not be reduced to acronyms solely to save a few words. Colon capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. Ap news reporters must attribute facts not gathered or confirmed on our own.
I assume that an abbreviation is treated just as if it were a word, but im having trouble with some examples. Ap style rules writing abbreviations and acronyms writing tips. Stylebook key this updated and revised version of the associated press stylebook has been organized like a dictionary. When the formal titles directly precede a name, capitalize and spell out the title. The 2009 ap stylebook s plurals entry has no section on acronyms, but mentions vips, i cant find anything addressing how to specifically pluralize acronyms. If an acronym is more than five letters long, the general ap style rule is. These can be names of organizations nato, nations usa, and phrases faq. Consult the associated press stylebook for specific cases. You can find abbreviations discussed in the publication manual in section 4. 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.
May 21, 2009 use all caps, but no periods, in longer abbreviations and acronyms when the individual letters are pronounced. Click here to search briefing on media law with internet guide and glossary 2003. Associated press style is to use dashes, not bullets, for lists that follow a colon. See our full page on abbreviations and acronyms for a more in depth discussion on their differences. Wayne writes from the business school with a question about abbreviations and acronyms. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. Its important to keep in mind that most people wont easily recognize mortgagerelated abbreviations and acronyms. Updates throughout the year, with email notifications as ap editors add or change entries.
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. Associated press stylebook how is associated press stylebook abbreviated. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook. Fund for unicef editorial style guide 2016 editorial style guide abbreviations and acronyms try to avoid overusing abbreviations or acronyms abbreviations that are pronounced as words that are not commonly known, especially acronyms for u. In general, we try to avoid them unless they are very common and familiar to the general public. Abbreviate company, corporation, incorporated and limited wen used after the name of a corporate entity. Emt, aids, cpr are acceptable on first reference spell out all abbreviations and acronyms on first reference and then abbreviate in subsequent references. These are the rules for common abbreviations following ap style. Typically, acronyms consist of all capital letters and do not include periods. Associated press stylebook abbreviations and acronyms academic titles.
As noted earlier, epa has an online subscription to the ap book on our intranet. Ap style holds that acronyms are formed from the first letters or letters of a series of words. Abbreviations and acronyms ap style abbreviations writing. Use only an initial cap and then lowercase for acronyms of more than six letters, unless listed otherwise in this stylebook or websters new world college dictionary. Punctuation congress editing marks a abbreviations and acronyms academic degrees academic departments. 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. Associated press stylebook acronyms and abbreviations.
This aligns with our plain language content principles to be more human and less jargon heavy. Since associated press style is one of the more widely used writing standards, learning the ap style rule for acronyms is an essential starting point for most freelance writers. For all month abbreviations, see months in ap stylebook. Ap style state abbreviations differ from their corresponding united states postal service abbreviations, provided in parentheses. Ap style lists a number of acronyms and abbreviations that. You must register and have a current subscription to access ap stylebook online. The abbreviations and acronyms section is also of no help. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. This page on the north carolina state university website references aps rule as being to always use an apostrophe. This material may not be resold, sublicensed, or distributed without written permission. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire states name. Princeton editorial style guide office of communications. Ap is not done rocking the journalism world with style changes.
Associated press style cheat sheet compiled with assistance from online resources, including scribd, purdue university and towson university abbreviations and acronyms as a general rule, use only commonly recognized abbreviations. Do not use acronyms or abbreviations if there is only one reference to the subject or it is an. As with everything else, carefully consider your audience when including an abbreviation or acronym. The worlds most comprehensive professionally edited abbreviations and acronyms database all trademarksservice marks referenced on this site are properties of their respective owners. Country iso 31661 alpha3 iso 31661 alpha2 icao ioc tld icao nato threeletter nato. Ap is listed in the worlds largest and most authoritative dictionary database of abbreviations and acronyms. Ap updates its stylebook to accommodate changes in conventions and usage.
The ap stylebook is used broadly by other universities for communication and news writing. Oxford university press usa publishes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, childrens books, business books, dictionaries, reference books, journals, text books and more. There are 180 ap style questions in the following quizzes. Generally ap style omits periods in acronyms, unless doing so would spell an unrelated word.
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