AP Stylebook

a-

the rules of prefixes apply

AARP

Use only the initial for the organization formerly known as American Association of Retired Persons

abbreviations and acronyms

A few universally recognized abbreviations are required in some circumstances. Some others are acceptable depending on the context. But in general

abortion

use anti-abortion instead of pro-life and pro-abortion rights instead of pro-abortion or pro-choice.

Academic Degrees

the preferred for is to avoid an abbreviation and specify. Use such abbreviations as B.A.

Accept/except

accept means to receive

Accident/ crash

When negligence is claimed or proven

Accused

a person is accused of

ages

used when deemed relevant to the situation. Generally use ages for profiles

Alabama

Abbreviate Ala. in the datelines only. Spell out in stories. Postal code: AL.

Alaska

Do not abbreviate in datelines or stories. Largest land area of the 50 states. Postal code: AK

allege

use with great care…see book (and finish this slide later.

Allude/ refer

To allude to something is to speak of it without specifically mentioning it. To refer is to mention it directly.

Allusion/ illusion

Allusion mean san indirect reference

al-Qaida

Muslim militant group founded by OSama bin Laden that carried out the attacks in the United States on Sept. 11

altar

alter

Alt-right

A political grouping or tendency mixing racism

a name currently embraced by some white supremacists and white nationalists to refer to themselves and their ideology which emphasizes preserving and protecting the white race in the United States.

alumnus

alumni

Amber Alert

A procedure for rapidly publicizing the disappearance of a child

American Civil Liberties Union

ACLU is acceptable on second reference.

American Federation of Labor and Congress of industrial Organizations

AFL-CIO is acceptable in all references

American Federation of Teachers

Use the full name on first reference to prevent confusion with other unions that represent teachers. AFT is acceptable on second reference.

Among

between

amount

number

ampersand

Only use when it is part of a company's formal name of composition title.

a.m.

p.m.

anonymous sources

Under AP's rules

Anticipate

expect

expect does not include the notion of preparation. They expect a record crowd. They have anticipated it by adding more seats to the auditorium.

AP

Acceptable on second reference for The Associated Press. On second reference

Arbitrate

mediate

Army

Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces. Do not use the abbreviation USA. Use lowercase for the forces of other nations.

arrest

To avoid any suggestion that someone is being judged before a trial

Asberger's Syndrome

After Hans Asperger

assassin

killer

Assault

battery

assemblymen

assemblywoman

assistant

Do not abbreviate. Capitalize only when part of a formal title before a name.

asterisk

Do not use the symbol. Rarely translates.

astronaut

it is not a formal title. do not capitalize when used before a name.

Atlanta

The city in Georgia stands alone in date lines

ATM

Acceptable in all references

attorney

lawyer

attribution

Must attribute facts not gathered or confirmed on our own.

average

mean

averse

Means reluctant. Not to be confused with adverse meaning unfavorable.

awards and decorations

Capitalize them

AWOL

Acceptable in all references for absent without leave

Bachelor's of Arts/Bachelors of Science

A bachelor's degree or bachelor's is acceptable in any reference. See academic degrees for guidelines on when the abbreviations B.A. or B.S. are acceptable.

backup

(n. and adj.) back up (v.)

Bad

badly

bail

Bail is money or property that will be forfeited to the court if an accused individual fails to appear for trial. It is correct in all cases to say that an accused posted bail or posted a bail bond.

baloney

Foolish or exaggerated talk. The sausage or luncheon meat is bologna.

by-

in general

bylines

by followed by the name

Baltimore

The city in Maryland stands alone in datelines

Band-Aid

A trademark for a type of adhesive bandage

bankruptcy

A legal process to get out of debt when you can no longer make all your required payments

B.C.

Acceptable in all references to a calendar year in the period before Christ. Placed after the figure

bear market

A period of generally declining stock prices over a prolonged period.

because

since

Bed and Breakfast

B&B is acceptable on second reference.

beside

Besides

Biannual

Biennial

Bible

Capitalize

Big three automakers

Do not use that term

birthday

Capitalize as part of the name for a holiday.

black

Acceptable for a person of the black race

blackout

brownout

bloc

block

blog

Don't enclose the name in quotation marks unless it's an unusual spelling that might otherwise be unclear.

blond

blonde

board

Capitalize only when an integral part of a proper name

boats

ships

Body mass index

BMI is acceptable on second reference.

Boston

capital of Mass. Stands alone in datelines

boy

Applicable until 18th birthday is reached. Use man or young man afterward.

boycott

embargo

Boy Scouts

the full name of the national organization is Boy Scouts of America.

brain-dead

Complete absence of brain function based on a series of tests. Used as a legal definition of death.

Brand names

When they are used

break-in

(n. and adj.) break in (v.)

Brexit

No quotation marks. Explain what it means when you use it.

Britain

Acceptable in all references for Great Britain

British Columbia

The Canadian province bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Do not abbreviate.

bug

tap

burglary

larceny

bus

buses

Cairo

The city in Egypt stands alone in datelines

California

Abbreviate Calif. in datelines only

spell out in stories. Postal code: CA

Canada

Montreal

canal

Capitalize as an integral part of a proper name

cannon

canon

capital

The city where a seat of government is located. Do not capitalize.

capitalization

In general

Capitol

Capitalize U.S. Capitol and the Capitol when referring to the building in Washington

Use capital for a city or town that is the seat of government.

cardinal numbers

numbers used in counting or showing how many