The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook is a vital resource for journalists, offering guidelines on grammar, punctuation, and usage that promote clarity and consistency in news writing. Here, we present three practical examples of how to apply AP style in news articles, showcasing various contexts to help you implement these standards in your own writing.
In news articles, it’s essential to present dates clearly and concisely to avoid confusion. This example illustrates how to format dates properly according to AP style.
In a recent local news article, the reporter covered a city council meeting held on October 5, 2023. The article stated:
“The city council convened on Oct. 5 to discuss the new budget proposal. Mayor John Smith emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility during the meeting.”
In this context, the date is abbreviated to ’Oct.’ because it includes a specific date, as per AP guidelines.
Notes: Always use figures for dates and avoid using the suffixes ‘st,’ ’nd,’ ‘rd,’ or ‘th.’ If a month is mentioned without a specific date, it should be spelled out (e.g., ’October’).
Titles can often be a point of confusion in news writing. AP style dictates specific rules for when to capitalize titles, especially in reference to people. This example demonstrates the correct usage of titles in a news article.
In an article covering a press conference, the writer stated:
“Governor Jane Doe announced plans for a new transportation initiative at the press conference. She was joined by Transportation Secretary Mark Lee, who praised the efforts of local leaders in advancing the project.”
Here, ‘Governor’ and ‘Transportation Secretary’ are capitalized because they precede the names, indicating that these are formal titles. However, when mentioned after the name, they are lowercase.
Notes: Titles should also be lowercase when used generically (e.g., ‘the governor announced…’). Always ensure that titles are used consistently throughout the article to maintain clarity.
Using quotes effectively adds credibility to news articles. AP style has specific rules regarding punctuation and attribution that must be followed for clarity and accuracy. This example illustrates proper quoting in a news report.
In a recent article about a public health initiative, the reporter wrote:
“Dr. Lisa Green, the chief medical officer, stated, ’Our goal is to increase vaccination rates by 20% by the end of the year.’ She emphasized the importance of community involvement in achieving this target.”
In this case, the quote is accurate and attributed correctly, following AP style guidelines. Commas are placed inside the quotation marks, and the attribution is clear and concise.
Notes: When quoting, it’s crucial to represent the source’s words accurately and to use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Be mindful of the context and ensure that the quote enhances the overall message of the article.
These examples of how to use AP style in news articles demonstrate the importance of clarity, consistency, and accuracy in journalistic writing. By following these guidelines, you can improve the quality of your news articles and ensure they adhere to established standards.