AP Style and Journalism Standards Study Guide

AP Style Standards for Digital Personalities and Communication

• Formatting for Digital Communication Terms:     * Email: The word email must always be written in lowercase (e.g., email). It is considered a common noun, similar to the word "letter."     * Internet: The word Internet must always be capitalized. It is categorized as a proper noun, described as being like a specific "place" or a "phone's name."
• Time Formatting:     * The transcript references the correct AP style for time as $3\,p.m.$ (utilizing lowercase letters and periods).

Punctuation of Direct Quotes and Attributions

• One Continuous Quote with a Middle Attribution:     * When an attribution is placed in the middle of a single continuous sentence of a quote, commas are used to set it off.     * Example structure: "Quote segment," said the source, "continuation of quote."     * If the attribution appeared at the end of the full quote, it would conclude with a period. However, if the quote continues after the attribution, a comma is required before the closing quotation mark of the first segment and after the attribution itself.
• Attribution at the Beginning:     * If the attribution precedes the quote, the punctuation (typically a comma) should be placed correctly to lead into the quotation marks.
• General Punctuation Rules:     * If a quote is finished and the attribution follows, a comma is placed inside the quotation marks before the attribution.

AP Style for Calendars and Numbers

• Month Abbreviations:     * April: This month is never abbreviated in AP style. The reasoning provided is that the name is too short to warrant an abbreviation.
• Numerical Guidelines:     * Numbers $1$ through $9$: According to AP style, numbers from one through nine ($1$ to $9$) must be written out as words.     * Numbers $10$ and Above: For the number $10$ and any number greater than $10$, numerals should be used instead of words.

Capitalization of Formal Job Titles

• Preceding a Name: Formal job titles are capitalized only when they directly precede a person's name.     * Examples of correct capitalization: $Principal\,Glynn$, $Doctor\,Gary$, $President\,Trump$, and $Senator\,Warnock$.
• Standing Alone or Following a Name: Formal titles are not capitalized when they stand alone or follow a name.     * Example: "The principal is walking around the hall today" (principal is lowercase).     * Example: "Principal Glynn is coming down the hall" (Principal is capitalized).

Guidelines for Second References in News Writing

• Standard Rule: In news writing, once a person has been introduced by their full name and title (e.g., $assistant\,principal\,Ronald\,Johnson$), the second reference to that person should typically use only their last name (e.g., $Johnson$).
• Exceptions and Variations:     * The New York Times: It is noted that The New York Times follows a more traditional or "normal" style where they may include courtesy titles such as "Mr." or "Ms." before the last name on second reference (e.g., $Mr.\,Trump$).     * Long-form Articles: In very long articles, a writer might reintroduce a full title if the person is being mentioned again much later in the text to provide clarity, but the standard practice remains using only the last name.

Questions & Discussion

• Student Inquiry Regarding April: A student asked if "April" should be abbreviated. The instructor clarified that April is never abbreviated because it is physically too short.
• Discussion on Style Variations: A student observed that in many news articles, only the last name is used on second reference. The instructor confirmed this is the standard, though some publications like The New York Times use courtesy titles like "Mr." or "Ms."
• Interactive Quiz Context: The session was structured as a quiz where students worked in partners to earn "chips" for correct answers. The quiz was a "closed note" exercise requiring students to close their Chromebooks.