Ap Style Reminders for Newspaper Usage

There’s much to remember about AP style, but these are a few tips that will come in handy often if you write for a printed newspaper.

In headlines, use single quotes for double quotes.

Only capitalize the first word of headline and proper names, not the entire headline

Always use figures (numerals) in headlines, even if it’s the first word.

The order of events is always listed, time, date, place.

Example: The fundraiser will be held at 8 p.m. June 12 at the American Legion.

Use the day of the week when the date is within a week’s time.  Example: The breakfast will be held Friday.

When the event is beyond a week, use the date.  Example: The breakfast will be held April 17.

In writing,

• Eliminate “you” from text.  It may be used only within a quote and source name.
• Attribute all opinion to a source
• Take out “please.”
• Lowercase titles unless before a name
• Do not use courtesy titles such as Mr. Ms. and Mrs.
• You may use Dr. on the first reference only

Spelling:

• Website is one word.
• Email is one word.
• Change “thru” to “through.”
• Spell out school grades up to ninth grade; 10-12 are written as numerals.
• Abbreviate states in text, set off by commas.  Do not use two-digit postal codes for abbreviation.

Punctuation

• Commas are always inside quotes; semicolons outside when concerns whole sentence.
• Master’s degree always has apostrophe.
• Do not use a comma before Jr. or Sr.
• For businesses, do not use a comma before Inc.

There are many more guidelines found within the AP stylebook, but hopefully, this list will be a starting point to successful AP writing.