Book names ap style for state abbreviations

These abbreviations short names were used in mailing addresses before the introduction of twoletter u. Jul 21, 2016 in ap style, you shouldnt follow the name of an organization with the abbreviation offset by parentheses or dashes. Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. For example, they can be used in writing after a city like in miami, fla. In this post, we will summarize all of the ap stylebook state abbreviations rules. Any change involves a great deal of debate, discussion and, in many cases, consultations with others within the ap and outside the ap. Use the state abbreviations listed at the end of this section only in the following cases. States spell out the names of the states in text when they appear alone.

There are quite a few rules in the ap stylebook for state names and ap style state abbreviations. Aug 15, 2019 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. Ap stylebook rules for datelines, cities that stand alone. True which of these is correct, according to ap style. The ap therefore strives to keep its writing style easy to read, concise and free of bias. Some of these decisions might run a bit counter to ap style, and thats ok, as long as you are consistent. This being said, however, the ap stylebook does go on to list some more specific guidelines that are to be followed when using various titles in your text. Funding was provided by the state of michigan meaning the government.

So, i am providing a reference for those who may be interested. Ap style dictates specific comma placement in a series and with dialogue, dates, numbers. Postal and traditional state abbreviations reference guide. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. The highway patrol chased the robbery suspect on route 27 at speeds of 110 mph before he was stopped three miles from the state line. Sep 19, 2012 ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. Ap style also aims to avoid stereotypes and unintentionally offensive language. Some organizations and government agencies are widely recognized by their initials and can be referred to using their. Select the sentence that is free of errors in ap style for capitalization, addresses and abbreviations in broadcast copy. Capitalize formal titles such as assemblyman, assemblywoman, city councilor, delegate, etc. The 2017 ap stylebook is offered exclusively on amazons kindle platform. Ap style was developed and is maintained by the associated press, the worlds oldest news service.

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. If you want to know all about the ap style state abbreviations, you have been a wise soul to click on this article. 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. If a state s name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire state s name. Aug 05, 2015 heres a refresher course what the ap stylebook says for datelines and cities that stand alone in datelines. According to ap style, you should put quotation marks around the names of. States writing style guide western michigan university. Ap suggests spelling out the names of alaska, hawaii, and all states with five or fewer letters. Abbreviations united states as a noun, united states. The associated press stylebook, first published in 1977, clarified the news organizations rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage. For a full list of ap style state abbreviations, see our full page. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide.

For all other abbreviations, ap uses its own state abbreviations and chicago prefers postal abbreviations but has its own state abbreviations should that style be more appropriate for your. The associated press stylebook, the usage guide for most united states newspapers, counsels the use of abbreviations for most state names, when appended to a city name for example, santa ana, calif. Congratulations you have completed ap style quiz 1. Spell out the names of the states whether standing alone or with a place name. Effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of stories. In running text, ap and chicago both spell out state names.

The names of eight states are never abbreviated in datelines or text. Style rules examples academic degrees use an apostrophe and spell out academic degrees use abbreviations for degrees only when you need to include a list of credentials after a name. Books and magazines often italicize newspaper names as well as book titles and magazine names as part of their inhouse style. Heres a refresher course what the ap stylebook says for datelines and cities that stand alone in datelines. In conjunction with the name of a city, town, village or military base in text. In ap style, magazines names and titles are governed.

These are the rules wed like you to follow for the contests. For slide presentations of ap style basics, go here. Do not use a comma if only listing the month and year. Note that ap style omits state names for a specified list of cities. It isnt necessary to spell out the most common abbreviations on first reference, like nba, nfl, mlb allamerica, allamerican. This applies to chicago manual of style and the american psychological association style apa. May 07, 2009 the associated press was founded more than 150 years ago and now has thousands of employees working in more than a hundred countries for a readership that numbers in the millions. Home ap style ap style titles the ap stylebook holds that capitalization, in general, should be confined to formal titles that are used directly before an individuals name. The good news the positive here is that the grammar gods dont care either way, so if these rules arent in line with your house style or your clients way of writing, then scrap the. Note that while ap style uses abbreviations for months sept. Ap style state abbreviations differ from their corresponding united states postal service abbreviations, provided in parentheses. How to use commas in associated press style pen and the pad.

Some states are abbreviated, as is the united states with periods u. The associated press recognizes only one allamerica football and basketball team each year. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used in answers. An important new feature of is a comprehensive customer dashboard. Associated press style basics journalists resource. Oct 30, 2015 the rules below apply for the following works. I really like your map of the ap style for state abbreviations. Before we begin to enlist the abbreviations, it is mandatory for one to learn and garner information about what ap is, with a brief, supplementary note on the history of the same. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules. Alaska, hawaii, idaho, iowa, maine, ohio, texas and utah. The associated press has a stylebook with rules and standards used primarily in journalistic and news writing. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. One of the first things a student in a beginning journalism course learns about is associated press style or ap style for short. See the cities entry for a list of large cities that never need to be identified by state.

Ap style recommends spelling out state names in the body of stories effective may 1, 2014 and using abbreviations in datelines. Jan 24, 2020 in bibliographies, lists, charts where space is at a premium, reference lists, footnotes and endnotes, and in mailing addresses, state names are usually shortened using the postal abbreviation. Any state name may be condensed, however, to fit typographical requirements for tabular material. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference for most forms of publicfacing corporate. The change to writing out state names was necessary because ap is a global news organization, and state abbreviations that are reasonably well known in the united states are not at all known by readers in other. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and. The following guidelines are rules set out in the ap stylebook for ap style book titles, computer game titles, ap style movie titles, opera titles, play titles, poem titles, album titles, ap style song titles, radio and television titles, and the titles of lectures, speeches, and work of art. Its updated throughout the year and valuable onlineonly resources, including ask the editor, topical guides and pronunciation guide, expand on the print book s guidance.

The traditional abbreviations are still commonly used in other ways besides mailing addresses. Use the aps state abbreviations with place names only in lists and tabular material, or shortform listings of party affiliation. Or go back to the ap style quiz main page click here. Spell out the names of the two states that are not part of the contiguous united states and of the continental states that are five letters or fewer. In football, only walter camps selections through 1924, and the ap selections after that, are recognized. Currently, most state names are abbreviated in stories. Abbreviations are often desired in tabulations and certain types of technical writings. It had to be easy for reporters and editors to use and also produce. Click a question below to jump straight to its answer. Associated press ap citation and style guides libguides. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download.

Capitalize chapter when used with a numeral in reference to a section of a book or legal code. Its mobile optimized so you can use it on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet. The ap style abbreviations arbitrarily range in length from two to six letters, and all twoword names are abbreviated with the initials, such as n. For words that you cannot find in our ap style list, use the firstlisted abbreviation in websters new world dictionary. If a states name is standing alone or in conjunction with a city or town in your text, spell out the entire states name. Chapter sixteen brights, followups, roundups, sidebars and obituaries. Apr 23, 2014 effective may 1, the ap will spell out state names in the body of stories. Generally ap style omits periods in acronyms, unless doing so would spell an unrelated word. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. See the lists that follow to determine whether the title should be spelled out or abbreviated in regular text. The domestic list of cities that stand alone is on page 79 of the 2010 ap stylebook, and it is a good idea to mark this page with a sticky note of some sort so it is easy to find and you never list the state, country or territory unnecessarily. Ap style state abbreviations differ from their corresponding us postal service abbreviations, are in parentheses. Use the state abbreviations listed at the end of this section. In conjunction with the name of a city, town, village or military base in most datelines, use the traditional abbreviation.

Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. When you introduce the handy table with abbreviations, i think you should list the five states that are short and are not abbreviated in ap style e. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. Associated press website faq this faq webpage from the ap is a great source of information on current issues of grammar, style, punctuation, abbreviations, and other style questions.

Now in its sixth edition, the stylebook is the standard style. If this structure makes the connection between the entity and the abbreviation unclear, its best to just skip using the abbreviation. You can find abbreviations discussed in the publication manual in section 4. Before we begin to enlist the abbreviations, it is mandatory for one to learn and garner information about what ap is, with. May 23, 2009 spell out other legislative titles in all uses. In ap style, the names of newspapers and magazines are not italicized or set off in quotation marks. Here are a few answers to common style issues, based on the ap stylebook. Ap style military ranks capitalize a military rank when used as a formal title before an individuals name. Ap style is designed to address the challenges of the organizations large size and readership. In bibliographies, lists, charts where space is at a premium, reference lists, footnotes and endnotes, and in mailing addresses, state names are usually shortened using the postal abbreviation. Ap style is simply a standardized way of writing everything from dates to street addresses to job titles. Aug 01, 2018 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.

The change to writing out state names was necessary because ap is a global news organization, and state abbreviations that are reasonably well known in the united states are not at all known by readers in other countries. Italicized words are still iffy for wire transmission ap stories, so book titles are enclosed in quote marks. If you have questions or concerns about digital products, the product pages include forms to request technical support. The prime minister left for the united states yesterday. Put quotation marks around the names except the bible and catalogs of reference material. 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. All you need to know about titles in ap style gatehouse. For mailing addresses, ap and chicago both default to the twoletter postal abbreviations. Ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a.