AP Style

In June 1953, the Associated Press instituted a classification that would change the history of writing for journalists, editors, teachers, and students. This innovation was named the AP Stylebook, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in June 2013. The 1953 edition consisted of 12,000 terms and 100 pages. It was written as a substitution for the first “16-page AP Style Book and the AP Copy Book, known as the Red Book” (Moynihan, 2003).

Although the 1953 edition was the foundation for future editions, Norm Goldstein, AP Stylebook editor for 14 years, stated that the 1977 edition was the beginning of upcoming, more precise versions (Moynihan, 2003). This is because the structure was changed and entries were organized in alphabetical order so that users could find what they needed in a timely manner. Louis D. Boccardi, Associated Press president and CEO, stated in an article on AP Style, “complication of style rules was accompanied by the accumulation of so much fact and information that the effort resulted in ‘a Stylebook,’ but also a reference work” (DiNicola, 1994, p. 64). Today, the AP Stylebook consists of nearly 500 pages.

The Associated Press defines the AP Stylebook as the “bible” for journalists and public relations specialists alike. Public relations professionals find the use of the stylebook very important in assisting them in their writing, since their work is routinely disseminated to journalists. Writers can check spelling, capitalization, grammar, punctuation and usage, with special sections on business, social media, food, fashion, and sports. Included is a guide on media law, with practical guidelines on libel law, privacy and copyright, as well as an effort to provide consistency for spelling and usage of digital terms, such as website and email.

The Elements of Style was originally written by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White and is also an important book that writers use when dealing with style and word usage. This book, first called the “little” book, educates writers on how to use words in the proper manner, how to form meaningful paragraphs and how to use expressions correctly. It also consists of a section that reminds writers of the dos and don'ts in writing. For example, it explains the importance of rewriting and revising. It also encourages writers not to overstate their points and never to make the reader guess what you are stating. This is accomplished by clarifying what one means in a simple, comprehensive way. Subsequent editions were an attempt to modernize what many serious writers considered a classic work that was not in need of an update.

Many journalism teachers consider the AP Stylebook the most important tool in assisting students in their classes. It educates students on how to use certain writing techniques in different situations. For example, when using numbers, a student [Page 36]is taught to always spell out numbers one through nine and to use figures for numbers 10 and above, with some exceptions, such as ages and percentages. The AP Stylebook also assists students with punctuation, spelling, government matters, state abbreviations, explanations about how court cases are written, and so forth. Teachers have found that entries within the stylebook, such as “political correctness,” can be used as a good learning tool. These issues open the door to dialogue and student participation about current events. While the AP Stylebook does not explicitly state guidelines for inclusion of entries, it makes an effort to take into account changes in language and social trends. A good example is the use of sexual orientation rather than sexual preference.

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