Associated Press Style: Key Points to Remember

Associated Press Style: Key Points to Remember

Importance of Accuracy in Names and Titles

  • Always ensure names, titles, and positions are correct in media writing.

  • Steps to Verify:

    • Ask for names and titles.

    • Inquire how to spell first and last names.

    • Confirm spelling of titles, especially unfamiliar words.

    • Spell back names and titles to the interviewees for confirmation.

    • Perform additional verification through research.

    • Record interviews to revisit what was said for accuracy.

Name Reference Rules

  • First Reference: Use both first and last names on first reference (e.g., "Alison DeVito teaches in the School of Journalism and Media").

  • Subsequent References: Use only the last name (e.g., "DeVito said…").

  • Exceptions:

    • Use courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., etc.) when addressing individuals with the same last name to avoid confusion.

    • This is rare; consult with newsroom editors on specific guidelines.

Using Numbers and Numerals

  • Time Representation:

    • Use numbers followed by a colon to separate hours and minutes (e.g., 02:25AM, 11:15PM).

    • Do not use "colon zero zero" for top of the hour time notations (e.g., 5PM instead of 5:00PM).

    • Preferred Designations: Lowercase "a.m." and "p.m." with periods. For example, use "10 a.m."

    • Avoid uppercase "AM" and "PM" as it does not conform with AP Style.

Specific Time Usage Examples

  • Time Notations:

    • Correct: 5PM, 10:00AM

    • Incorrect: 10AM (without the period).

  • Do not use overly precise times unless necessary:

    • Specific event times may employ exact moments (e.g., accident times).

    • Use phrases like "shortly after 4PM" for approximations.

Misunderstandings Around AM and PM

  • 12AM: Midnight.

  • 12PM: Noon.

  • Common pitfalls exist regarding these designations; clarify as needed.

  • It is prudent to avoid redundancies in time notations (e.g., "Thursday night at 6:15PM" instead of "Thursday night at 6:15PM in the evening").

Use of Decades

  • For decades, use figures without apostrophes:

    • Example: "Billy Williamson was born in the 1980s" (not "1980's").

Dates and Days

  • Use numerals for dates (e.g., October 31).

  • Do not add suffixes like "st", "nd", or "rd" (e.g., should be "October 31", not "October 31st").

  • Month Abbreviations:

    • Never abbreviate March, April, May, June, or July.

    • Other months (August - February) can be abbreviated when paired with day numerals.

Days of the Week

  • Always spell out days of the week (e.g., "Monday", "Tuesday").

  • Avoid using relative terms such as "yesterday" or "tomorrow" since time variance may cause confusion to the reader.

Specific Date Guidelines

  • Dates should use the actual day if events occur over a week away.

  • Current week events may use a day of the week designation.

  • Always spell out months if no specific number is given (e.g., "Holly Holiday was born in January").

  • Commas for Dates: Use commas when mentioning specific dates.

    • Example: "The speech was scheduled for October 15, 2020".

Summary and Additional Resources

  • This video summarized essential AP style rules centered on name accuracy, time, and date formatting.

  • There will be a quiz related to these topics along with additional resources including slides and a Kahoot game to reinforce learning.

  • For questions or clarification, reach out to the instructor for assistance as needed.