[← Back to AP-Compatible overview]({{ "/docs/ap-compatible" | relative_url }}) **Tier 2 of 3—recommended default.** Comprehensive coverage of Parts 1–12 (Punctuation · Capitalization · Numbers · Abbreviations · Titles · Attribution · Word Usage · Race & Identity · Legal · Sports · Business · Datelines). ~12K tokens. For essentials only, use [Quick]({{ "/docs/ap-compatible-quick" | relative_url }}); for full depth (Weather, Health, Religion, etc.), use [Thorough]({{ "/docs/ap-compatible-thorough" | relative_url }}). --- # AP Style Condensed Reference Local market style guides may override specific entries. --- # Part 1: Punctuation --- ## Apostrophe ### Possessives—Singular Nouns Add apostrophe-s to singular nouns, including those ending in s, x, or z. **Examples:** - the company's earnings - the witness's testimony - James's book - the boss's office - Marx's theories **Exception:** Singular proper nouns ending in s take only an apostrophe if the next word begins with s. - Achilles' soldiers - Hercules' strength - Jesus' disciples ### Possessives—Plural Nouns For plurals ending in s, add only an apostrophe. For plurals not ending in s, add apostrophe-s. **Examples:** - the companies' earnings (multiple companies) - the witnesses' accounts (multiple witnesses) - the children's toys - the women's movement - the alumni's donations ### Possessives—Compound Words Add apostrophe-s to the word closest to the object possessed. **Examples:** - the attorney general's opinion - the attorneys general's opinions (multiple AGs) - my mother-in-law's house ### Possessives—Joint vs. Individual Possession For joint possession, use apostrophe-s after the last noun only. For individual possession, use apostrophe-s after each noun. **Examples:** - Smith and Jones's law firm (they share one firm) - Smith's and Jones's law firms (each has their own firm) - the president and vice president's statement (joint statement) - the president's and vice president's statements (separate statements) ### Contractions Use apostrophe to indicate omitted letters. **Examples:** - it's (it is) - don't (do not) - '90s (1990s) - rock 'n' roll **Common error:** Confusing "it's" (contraction) with "its" (possessive). The possessive form has no apostrophe. - Correct: The company raised its prices. It's the third increase this year. - Wrong: The company raised it's prices. ### Omitted Figures Use apostrophe to indicate omitted numerals. **Examples:** - the class of '24 - the '60s ### Plurals of Single Letters Use apostrophe-s for plurals of single letters. **Examples:** - Mind your p's and q's. - He earned straight A's. Do not use apostrophe for plurals of multiple letters or numerals. **Examples:** - She learned her ABCs. - temperatures in the 80s - the 1990s --- ## Colon ### Introducing Lists, Explanations, or Amplification Use a colon to introduce a list, explanation, or amplification of what precedes it. Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it begins a complete sentence. **Examples:** - The company cited three reasons: declining sales, rising costs and increased competition. - The verdict was clear: The defendant was guilty on all counts. - He promised one thing: results. **Common error:** Using a colon after a verb or preposition that introduces a list. - Wrong: The ingredients are: flour, sugar and eggs. - Correct: The ingredients are flour, sugar and eggs. - Also correct: The recipe calls for three ingredients: flour, sugar and eggs. ### Introducing Quotations Use a colon to introduce a quotation of more than one sentence. **Example:** - The mayor issued a statement: "We will not tolerate this behavior. Those responsible will be held accountable." For shorter quotations, use a comma. **Example:** - The mayor said, "We will investigate." ### Time Use colon to separate hours from minutes. **Examples:** - 3:45 p.m. - 10:30 a.m. ### Ratios Use colon for ratios. **Example:** - The ratio was 3:1. --- ## Comma ### Serial Comma (Oxford Comma) Do not use a comma before the conjunction in a simple series. **Examples:** - The flag is red, white and blue. - She bought apples, oranges and bananas. - The report covers sales, marketing and operations. **Exception:** Use a comma before the conjunction if an element of the series requires a conjunction or if the series is complex. **Examples:** - Breakfast included bacon and eggs, toast, and orange juice. - The policy applies to full-time employees, part-time employees who work more than 20 hours per week, and contractors with agreements exceeding six months. ### Introductory Elements Use a comma after introductory clauses, phrases, or words. **Examples:** - After the meeting ended, she returned to her office. - In 2024, the company expanded to three new markets. - However, the results were inconclusive. - Speaking to reporters, the senator denied the allegations. **Exception:** Short introductory phrases may omit the comma if no ambiguity results. - In January she resigned. - On Tuesday the council will vote. ### Nonessential Clauses and Phrases Set off nonessential (nonrestrictive) clauses and phrases with commas. Essential (restrictive) elements take no commas. **Nonessential (use commas):** - The mayor, who took office in January, announced the plan. - The report, released Tuesday, showed a decline. - John Smith, a retired teacher, volunteered at the shelter. **Essential (no commas):** - The candidate who raised the most money won. - The report released Tuesday contradicted the one released Monday. - People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. **Test:** If you can remove the clause without changing the essential meaning of the sentence, it's nonessential and needs commas. ### Appositives Set off nonessential appositives with commas. Essential appositives take no commas. **Nonessential:** - The CEO, Jane Smith, announced her retirement. - His brother, a doctor, lives in Chicago. **Essential:** - His brother John is a doctor. (He has more than one brother.) - The novel "1984" remains relevant. (Identifies which novel.) ### Compound Sentences Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) that joins two independent clauses. **Examples:** - The company posted record profits, but executives warned of challenges ahead. - Sales increased in the first quarter, and analysts expect continued growth. **Exception:** The comma may be omitted if the clauses are short and closely related. - She wrote and he edited. ### Direct Address Use commas to set off names or words used in direct address. **Examples:** - Senator, how do you respond? - Tell me, doctor, what is the prognosis? ### Geographic Names Use commas to set off the state or country after a city name. Include a comma after the state or country name when the sentence continues. **Examples:** - She moved to Austin, Texas, in 2020. - The Paris, France, office will close. - He was born in London, Ontario. ### Dates Use commas to set off the year when a month-day-year date is used. Include a comma after the year when the sentence continues. **Examples:** - The event occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York. - She was born on July 4, 1976, in Philadelphia. No comma is needed when only the month and year are used. **Examples:** - The event occurred in September 2001 in New York. - She joined the company in January 2020. ### Ages Set off ages with commas when they follow a name. **Example:** - Jane Smith, 45, was appointed to the board. ### Quotations Use a comma to introduce a direct quotation of one sentence or less. **Examples:** - The senator said, "I will not seek reelection." - "I will not seek reelection," the senator said. *See also: Quotation Marks* ### Large Numbers Use commas in numbers of four digits or more. **Examples:** - 1,500 - 25,000 - 1,000,000 **Exceptions:** Street addresses, phone numbers, broadcast frequencies, years, and serial numbers do not use commas. - 1500 Main St. - 555-123-4567 - 1250 AM - 2024 - Serial No. 12345678 --- ## Dash ### Em Dash Use an em dash to denote an abrupt change in thought, to set off a series within a phrase, or for emphasis or amplification. **Formatting:** Use a space on both sides of the em dash. **Examples:** - The president—who arrived late—spoke for an hour. - Three cities—New York, Chicago and Los Angeles—were selected. - She had one goal—victory. **Common error:** Using em dashes without spaces. - Wrong: The report—released Tuesday—showed gains. - Correct: The report—released Tuesday—showed gains. ### En Dash Use an en dash to indicate ranges and to connect compound modifiers when one element is an open compound. **Examples:** - The 2020–2024 fiscal period - pages 25–30 - the New York–London flight - the post–World War II era **Note:** Many newsroom systems may not easily produce en dashes. A hyphen is acceptable in ranges for practical purposes. --- ## Ellipsis Use an ellipsis to indicate the omission of words from a quotation. Use three periods with spaces between them. **Format:** word ... word **Examples:** - "We will ... continue our investigation," the prosecutor said. - The report stated that "conditions ... have improved significantly." Treat an ellipsis as a three-letter word with spaces before and after. When the ellipsis comes at the end of a sentence, use four periods—the ellipsis plus a period. **Example:** - "We will continue our investigation ...." (omission at end of quoted sentence) Do not use ellipsis at the beginning or end of a quotation unless necessary to prevent misinterpretation. --- ## Exclamation Point Use sparingly. Avoid using in straight news copy except in direct quotations. **Examples:** - "Get out!" she screamed. - The headline read: Earthquake Strikes! Do not use exclamation points for emphasis in news writing. - Wrong: The deficit is enormous! - Correct: The deficit is enormous. --- ## Hyphen ### Compound Modifiers Hyphenate compound modifiers (two or more words expressing a single concept) when they precede a noun. **Examples:** - a first-quarter loss - a full-time employee - a well-known author - a 10-year-old boy - a blue-green dress Do not hyphenate compound modifiers that follow a noun. **Examples:** - The loss occurred in the first quarter. - She is employed full time. - The author is well known. - The boy is 10 years old. ### Exceptions to Compound Modifier Hyphenation Do not hyphenate: - Compounds with adverbs ending in -ly: a newly elected official, a highly rated program - Compounds with "very": a very cold day - Proper nouns used as modifiers: a New York minute, the Supreme Court ruling ### Prefixes Generally, do not hyphenate prefixes unless: - The prefix ends in a vowel and the word that follows begins with the same vowel: re-elect, pre-empt, co-owner - The word that follows is capitalized: un-American, pro-European - The prefix is "self-," "ex-" (meaning former), or "all-": self-defense, ex-president, all-American - Confusion would result without the hyphen: re-cover (cover again) vs. recover; re-sign (sign again) vs. resign **Examples:** - prewar, postwar, antiwar - bipartisan, nonpartisan - co-author, co-worker (but cooperate, coordinate) - pre-existing, re-examine - self-esteem, ex-husband, all-inclusive ### Suspensive Hyphenation Use a hyphen after each element in a series of compound modifiers. **Examples:** - first-, second- and third-place finishers - 10- and 20-year mortgages - full- and part-time employees ### Ages Always hyphenate ages when used as modifiers or substitutes for nouns. **Examples:** - A 5-year-old boy (modifier) - The 5-year-old started school. (noun substitute) - The boy is 5 years old. (no hyphens when not a modifier) ### Fractions Hyphenate fractions when used as modifiers. **Examples:** - a two-thirds majority - a one-half share --- ## Parentheses Use parentheses to insert necessary background or to set off supplementary information. **Examples:** - The governor (a Democrat) signed the bill. - The company reported earnings of $2.5 billion (up 15% from last year). Use sparingly. Often, commas or dashes serve better. Punctuation goes inside parentheses only if it applies to the parenthetical material. Final punctuation goes outside if the parenthetical is part of a larger sentence. **Examples:** - The company reported strong earnings (see chart). - The company reported strong earnings. (See the chart on page 2.) --- ## Period ### End of Sentences Use a period at the end of declarative and imperative sentences. ### Abbreviations Use periods in most abbreviations of two or fewer letters. **Examples:** - U.S., U.N., U.K. - 6 a.m., 9 p.m. - Dr., Mr., Mrs., Jr., Sr. Do not use periods in abbreviations of three or more letters or in acronyms. **Examples:** - FBI, CIA, NASA, NATO - CEO, CFO, CTO - mph, rpm *See also: Abbreviations and Acronyms section* ### Ellipses *See: Ellipsis* --- ## Quotation Marks ### Direct Quotations Use double quotation marks for direct quotations. **Examples:** - "I will not seek reelection," the senator said. - The report called the conditions "unacceptable." ### Single Quotation Marks Use single quotation marks for quotations within quotations. **Example:** - She said, "The mayor told me, 'I have no comment.'" ### Placement of Other Punctuation Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks. **Examples:** - "We will investigate," she said. - The policy defines "full-time employees." Colons, semicolons, question marks, and exclamation points go inside quotation marks only when they apply to the quoted material. **Examples:** - She asked, "What time is it?" - Did he really say "no comment"? - He shouted, "Stop!" - I'm tired of hearing about "synergy"; it's become meaningless. ### Composition Titles Use quotation marks around titles of books, movies, TV shows, songs, poems, speeches, works of art, and other compositions. **Examples:** - "To Kill a Mockingbird" - "The Godfather" - "60 Minutes" - "Bohemian Rhapsody" **Exceptions:** Do not use quotation marks around the names of newspapers, magazines, the Bible, or books that are primarily reference works. - The New York Times - Time magazine - the Bible - Webster's Dictionary ### Unfamiliar Terms and Irony Use quotation marks around unfamiliar terms on first reference. Do not use them for common terms or for emphasis. **Examples:** - The technique, known as "phishing," involves fraudulent emails. - The so-called "experts" were proven wrong. (ironic usage) Do not use for emphasis: - Wrong: The meeting is "mandatory." - Correct: The meeting is mandatory. ### Partial Quotations Use quotation marks around partial quotations. Do not use them around paraphrased material. **Examples:** - The mayor called the proposal "a waste of taxpayer money." - The mayor said the proposal was a waste of taxpayer money. (paraphrase—no quotes) --- ## Semicolon ### Linking Independent Clauses Use a semicolon to link independent clauses when a coordinating conjunction is absent. **Examples:** - The company posted a profit; analysts had predicted a loss. - She declined to comment; her attorney issued a statement. ### Complex Series Use semicolons to separate elements in a series when the elements contain commas. **Examples:** - The candidates are Jane Smith, a senator from Texas; John Jones, the former governor of Ohio; and Mary Williams, a retired general. - Offices will close in Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Miami, Florida. --- # Part 2: Capitalization --- ## General Principles ### Proper Nouns vs. Common Nouns Capitalize proper nouns (specific names). Do not capitalize common nouns (general terms). **Examples:** - the Pacific Ocean (specific), the ocean (general) - Harvard University (specific), the university (general) - President Biden (specific title with name), the president (general reference) - Main Street (specific), the street (general) ### Lowercase After Colon Do not capitalize the first word after a colon unless it begins a complete sentence. **Examples:** - The company cited one reason: declining sales. - The message was clear: We must act now. (complete sentence) --- ## Titles of People ### Before Names Capitalize formal titles when they appear directly before a name. **Examples:** - President Joe Biden - Sen. Elizabeth Warren - Gov. Gavin Newsom - Pope Francis - Dr. Jane Smith - Chief Executive Officer Mary Jones ### After Names or Alone Lowercase titles when they follow a name, are set off by commas, or stand alone. **Examples:** - Joe Biden, president of the United States, spoke Tuesday. - The president spoke Tuesday. - Jane Smith, chief executive officer, announced the merger. - The CEO announced the merger. - The pope will visit next month. - Elizabeth Warren, a senator from Massachusetts, voted against the bill. ### Long Titles Lowercase and set off long titles with commas rather than capitalizing before a name. **Examples:** - The vice president for marketing and communications, John Smith, issued a statement. - Not: Vice President for Marketing and Communications John Smith issued a statement. ### False Titles Do not capitalize job descriptions that are not formal titles. **Examples:** - astronaut Neil Armstrong - actor Tom Hanks - economist Jane Doe - billionaire Warren Buffett ### Courtesy Titles Do not use courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss) on first reference except in direct quotations. They may be used on subsequent references in some contexts (typically obituaries or formal profiles). In general news writing, use last name only on second reference. **First reference:** Jane Smith **Second reference:** Smith --- ## Government and Political Terms ### Legislative Bodies Capitalize the proper names of legislative bodies. **Examples:** - the U.S. Senate - the House of Representatives - the California Legislature - Congress (referring to U.S. Congress) Lowercase when used generically. **Examples:** - The state senate voted Tuesday. - Both houses of Congress passed the bill. ### Legislative Titles Capitalize before names; lowercase after names or alone. **Examples:** - Sen. John Smith - Rep. Mary Jones - Smith, a Republican senator from Texas, voted against the measure. - The senator declined to comment. - the congressman, the representative ### Executive Branch Capitalize Cabinet titles before names. Capitalize Cabinet when referring to the advisory body. **Examples:** - Secretary of State Antony Blinken - Blinken, the secretary of state - The Cabinet met Tuesday. ### Judiciary Capitalize when using the full, proper name. Lowercase in general references. **Examples:** - the U.S. Supreme Court, the Supreme Court, the court - Chief Justice John Roberts, the chief justice - the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the appeals court, the court ### Political Parties Capitalize party names. Lowercase "party" when standing alone. **Examples:** - the Democratic Party, the Republican Party - Democrats, Republicans - the party's platform - She is a Democrat. He is a Republican. Use party affiliation format: Sen. Jane Smith, D-Texas, or Rep. John Jones, R-Ohio. ### Acts, Bills, Laws Capitalize the formal names of legislation. Lowercase informal references. **Examples:** - the Inflation Reduction Act - the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - the act, the bill, the law --- ## Organizations and Institutions ### Full Names Capitalize the full, official names of organizations and institutions. **Examples:** - the American Red Cross - Harvard University - the Federal Reserve - the Supreme Court - General Motors ### Second References Lowercase shortened references. **Examples:** - The American Red Cross responded. The organization sent supplies. - Harvard University announced new policies. The university will implement them in fall. - The Federal Reserve raised rates. The central bank cited inflation. ### Departments and Offices Capitalize when using the full, proper name. Lowercase when used alone. **Examples:** - the Department of Justice, the Justice Department, the department - the Office of Management and Budget, the budget office, the office --- ## Geographic Terms ### Regions Capitalize widely recognized regional names. Lowercase directional references. **Examples:** - the Midwest, the South, the West Coast, the Northeast - Southern California, Northern Ireland - eastern Texas, northern Maine (directional, not regional names) - driving west, the northern border ### Specific Places Capitalize specific geographic features. Lowercase generic terms. **Examples:** - the Mississippi River, the river - Mount Everest, the mountain - the Pacific Ocean, the ocean - Lake Michigan, the lake Capitalize "City" only when part of the official name. **Examples:** - New York City - the city of Los Angeles, the city ### States *See: Abbreviations—State Names* --- ## Composition Titles ### Books, Movies, Music, Art Capitalize principal words in titles of books, movies, TV shows, songs, albums, plays, poems, speeches, and works of art. Do not capitalize articles, prepositions, or conjunctions of three letters or fewer unless they begin the title. **Examples:** - "The Grapes of Wrath" - "Gone With the Wind" - "A Star Is Born" - "Of Mice and Men" ### Newspapers and Magazines Capitalize the name as it appears on the publication's masthead. Do not place in quotes. **Examples:** - The New York Times - The Washington Post - Los Angeles Times (no "The") - Time magazine (lowercase "magazine" unless part of the official name) --- ## Academic and Religious Terms ### Degrees Capitalize abbreviations but lowercase spelled-out references. **Examples:** - He has a bachelor's degree in history. - She earned a master's degree. - John Smith, Ph.D. - Jane Jones, M.D. ### Academic Departments Capitalize proper nouns within department names; lowercase generic references. **Examples:** - the Department of English, the English department, the department - the history department ### Religious References Capitalize proper names of religions, their followers, and specific deities. **Examples:** - Christianity, Christians, Islam, Muslims, Judaism, Jews - God (when referring to a specific deity) - Allah, Jehovah, Buddha - the Bible, the Quran, the Torah (no quotes) Lowercase general references. **Examples:** - a god, the gods - biblical, scriptural --- ## Seasons, Days, Holidays ### Seasons Lowercase seasons unless part of a formal name. **Examples:** - spring, summer, fall, autumn, winter - the Spring Festival (formal event name) ### Days and Months Capitalize days of the week and months. **Examples:** - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - January, February, March ### Holidays Capitalize the names of holidays. **Examples:** - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day - Memorial Day, Labor Day - Hanukkah, Ramadan --- ## Miscellaneous Capitalization ### Internet Terms **Examples:** - internet (lowercase) - web (lowercase) - website, webpage (one word, lowercase) - email (one word, no hyphen, lowercase) - online (lowercase) - World Wide Web (capitalize as proper noun, though rarely used) ### Brand Names and Trademarks Capitalize trademarked names. Use generic equivalents when possible. **Examples:** - Xerox (brand), photocopy (generic) - Kleenex (brand), tissue (generic) - Google (company), search engine (generic) Lowercase verbs derived from brand names unless the company prefers capitalization. **Examples:** - She googled the answer. - He xeroxed the document. ### AI and Computing Terms (per AP 58th, 2026) **AI agent:** A software system that takes actions autonomously on behalf of a user or institution. "Agentic AI" is acceptable for multi-agent systems. When used in copy, briefly explain the specific use case. **AI chips:** Computer chips that power AI systems; the most common type is the graphics processing unit (GPU). Introduce with a concrete example and brief functional explanation on first reference. **AI model:** A software program trained on data that can recognize patterns, make predictions or decisions, or generate content. Acceptable on first reference; name the specific model + provider when applicable. **AI slop:** Low-quality, mass-produced AI-generated content (text, audio, imagery, video, deepfakes). Acceptable for describing such content in the wild; **do not use** to describe McClatchy's own CSA-generated output—semantic conflict. **compute (noun):** The computing power and resources needed to build, test, and operate AI models. Prefer "computing power" or "processing power" over the bare noun outside direct quotes; "compute" as a noun risks confusion with the verb. **data center:** A facility housing chips, servers, and computers that process data. Specify AI-focused variants ("AI data center," "AI computing facility," "AI supercomputer," "AI factory") only when the AI-specific function is story-relevant. **vibe coding:** Slang for using an AI coding tool. Avoid outside direct quotes; prefer "using an AI coding tool" or "using an AI assistant to write code." --- # Part 3: Numbers --- ## Basic Rule Spell out one through nine. Use numerals for 10 and above. **Examples:** - She has three children. - The company has 15 locations. - He served two terms. - The accident involved 12 vehicles. --- ## Exceptions—Always Use Numerals Use numerals regardless of the number for: ### Ages **Examples:** - a 5-year-old boy - She is 7. - The building is 150 years old. ### Dates **Examples:** - March 5 - the 5th of March - 2024 ### Times **Examples:** - 3 p.m. - 9:30 a.m. - noon, midnight (words, not 12 p.m. or 12 a.m.) ### Addresses **Examples:** - 5 Main St. - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. ### Money **Examples:** - $5 - $1.5 million - 5 cents ### Percentages **Examples:** - 5% - 0.5% - 150% Use the symbol (%) rather than spelling out "percent." ### Measurements **Examples:** - 5 miles - 6 feet tall - 3 inches - 8 pounds ### Scores and Statistics **Examples:** - The team won 5-3. - He batted .325. - The vote was 5-4. ### Temperatures **Examples:** - 5 degrees - minus 10 degrees - 95 degrees Fahrenheit ### Speed **Examples:** - 5 mph - 60 mph --- ## Exceptions—Always Spell Out Spell out numbers regardless of size: ### Beginning of Sentence **Examples:** - Twenty people attended. - Fifteen percent of respondents agreed. **Alternative:** Recast the sentence to avoid beginning with a number. - Preferred: The meeting drew 20 attendees. ### Casual or Indefinite Expressions **Examples:** - thanks a million - a thousand times no - one in a million ### Fractions Less Than One **Examples:** - one-half - two-thirds - three-quarters But: 1½ miles, 2⅓ cups (mixed numbers use numerals) --- ## Large Numbers Use a combination of numerals and words for large, round numbers. **Examples:** - 1 million - $2.5 billion - 3 trillion For exact figures, use all numerals. **Examples:** - 1,234,567 - $2,543,892 --- ## Ranges Use "to" or a dash to show ranges. Be consistent within a document. **Examples:** - 10 to 15 people - 10-15 people - $5 million to $10 million - pages 25-30 --- ## Dates ### Format Use numerals without "st," "nd," "rd," or "th." **Examples:** - March 5 (not March 5th) - the 5th of March (when this construction is used) ### Years Use numerals. For decades, use numerals without apostrophe. **Examples:** - 2024 - the 1990s (not 1990's) - the '90s (apostrophe replaces omitted numerals) ### Centuries Spell out and lowercase. **Examples:** - the 21st century - 19th-century architecture (hyphenate when used as modifier) --- ## Times ### Format Use numerals with a.m. and p.m. (lowercase, with periods). **Examples:** - 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - 10:15 a.m. ### Noon and Midnight Use "noon" and "midnight," not "12 p.m." or "12 a.m." **Examples:** - The meeting begins at noon. - The deadline is midnight Friday. ### Ranges **Examples:** - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - 9-5 (informal reference) ### Time Zones Abbreviate time zones in uppercase without periods. **Examples:** - 3 p.m. EST - 9 a.m. PDT - 5 p.m. CT --- ## Money ### U.S. Currency Use the dollar sign and numerals. **Examples:** - $5 - $1,000 - $1.5 million - $4.35 billion For cents, spell out the word if the amount is less than a dollar. **Examples:** - 5 cents - 75 cents - $0.99 (acceptable for prices) ### Ranges **Examples:** - $5 million to $10 million (repeat dollar sign and unit) - $5-$10 (informal) ### Foreign Currency Identify the currency on first reference. **Examples:** - 5 million euros - 100 British pounds - 1,000 Japanese yen --- ## Addresses ### Street Numbers Use numerals for all address numbers. **Examples:** - 5 Main St. - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. - 100 Park Ave. ### Street Names Spell out and capitalize First through Ninth when used as street names. Use numerals for 10th and above. **Examples:** - 123 Fifth Ave. - 500 10th St. - 42nd Street ### Abbreviations Abbreviate Ave., Blvd., and St. only with a numbered address. **Examples:** - 100 Main St. - Main Street (no number) Spell out similar words: alley, circle, court, drive, highway, lane, place, road, terrace, way. ### Direction Abbreviate compass directions only with numbered addresses. **Examples:** - 500 N. Main St. - North Main Street --- ## Phone Numbers Use hyphens without parentheses for phone numbers. **Examples:** - 555-123-4567 - 800-555-1234 For international numbers, use the format appropriate to the country. --- ## Sports Statistics ### Scores Use numerals with a hyphen. **Examples:** - The team won 24-17. - The final score was 3-2. ### Records **Examples:** - a 10-5 record - 15-7 in conference play ### Statistics **Examples:** - He rushed for 150 yards. - She scored 25 points. - a .325 batting average --- ## Ratios and Odds Use numerals with hyphens or colons as appropriate. **Examples:** - a 3-1 ratio - 3:1 odds - a ratio of 3 to 1 --- # Part 4: Abbreviations and Acronyms --- ## General Principles ### First Reference Spell out an organization's name on first reference, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses if the abbreviation will be used again. **Example:** - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new rules. The EPA said enforcement will begin in January. **Exception:** Some abbreviations are widely recognized and may be used on first reference: FBI, CIA, NASA, GOP, AIDS, CEO. ### Avoid Alphabet Soup Do not follow an organization's name with an abbreviation that will not be used again. - Wrong: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a warning. - Correct: The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a warning. --- ## State Names ### Abbreviations Use traditional abbreviations (not postal codes) after city names. Spell out state names when they stand alone. | State | Abbreviation | State | Abbreviation | |-------|--------------|-------|--------------| | Alabama | Ala. | Montana | Mont. | | Arizona | Ariz. | Nebraska | Neb. | | Arkansas | Ark. | Nevada | Nev. | | California | Calif. | New Hampshire | N.H. | | Colorado | Colo. | New Jersey | N.J. | | Connecticut | Conn. | New Mexico | N.M. | | Delaware | Del. | New York | N.Y. | | Florida | Fla. | North Carolina | N.C. | | Georgia | Ga. | North Dakota | N.D. | | Illinois | Ill. | Oklahoma | Okla. | | Indiana | Ind. | Oregon | Ore. | | Kansas | Kan. | Pennsylvania | Pa. | | Kentucky | Ky. | Rhode Island | R.I. | | Louisiana | La. | South Carolina | S.C. | | Maryland | Md. | South Dakota | S.D. | | Massachusetts | Mass. | Tennessee | Tenn. | | Michigan | Mich. | Vermont | Vt. | | Minnesota | Minn. | Virginia | Va. | | Mississippi | Miss. | Washington | Wash. | | Missouri | Mo. | West Virginia | W.Va. | | | | Wisconsin | Wis. | ### States Never Abbreviated Eight states are never abbreviated: - Alaska - Hawaii - Idaho - Iowa - Maine - Ohio - Texas - Utah ### Cities That Stand Alone These cities do not require a state name: - Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington --- ## Months and Days ### Months Abbreviate months with six or more letters when used with a specific date. Spell out when standing alone or with only a year. | Month | Abbreviation | |-------|--------------| | January | Jan. | | February | Feb. | | August | Aug. | | September | Sept. | | October | Oct. | | November | Nov. | | December | Dec. | Do not abbreviate: March, April, May, June, July. **Examples:** - The event is March 5. - The event is Sept. 5. - September was warm. - She was born in September 1990. ### Days Do not abbreviate days of the week except in tabular material. --- ## Titles ### Before Names Abbreviate these titles before a full name: - Dr., Gov., Lt. Gov., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Rep., Sen., the Rev. **Examples:** - Gov. Gavin Newsom - Sen. Elizabeth Warren - Dr. Anthony Fauci - the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Spell out all other titles before names. **Examples:** - President Joe Biden - Secretary of State Antony Blinken - Attorney General Merrick Garland ### After Names Abbreviate Jr., Sr., and academic degrees after names. **Examples:** - John Smith Jr. - Mary Jones, Ph.D. - Robert Brown, M.D. --- ## Organizations and Agencies ### On First Reference Spell out unless widely recognized. **Widely recognized (OK on first reference):** - FBI, CIA, NASA, NATO, AIDS, CEO, CFO, GOP **Spell out on first reference:** - the Environmental Protection Agency - the Securities and Exchange Commission - the International Monetary Fund ### Corporate Names Follow the company's preference for capitalization and spacing, but do not use all-capital letters unless they are individual initials. **Examples:** - AT&T (initials) - IBM (initials) - Ikea (not IKEA) - Nasdaq (not NASDAQ) --- ## Units of Measurement ### Common Abbreviations Use these abbreviations with numerals: | Unit | Abbreviation | |------|--------------| | miles per hour | mph | | miles per gallon | mpg | | revolutions per minute | rpm | | pounds | lbs. | | ounces | oz. | | kilograms | kg | | kilometers | km | Spell out: inches, feet, yards, miles (except in tables). **Examples:** - 65 mph - 30 mpg - 6 feet tall - 10 miles ### Scientific Abbreviations Spell out units of measure on first reference. Abbreviate in technical contexts with numerals. **Examples:** - 5 megawatts (MW) - 100 gigabytes --- ## Military Ranks ### Before Names Abbreviate military ranks before names. | Army/Marine | Abbreviation | Navy/Coast Guard | Abbreviation | |-------------|--------------|------------------|--------------| | Gen. | Gen. | Adm. | Adm. | | Lt. Gen. | Lt. Gen. | Vice Adm. | Vice Adm. | | Maj. Gen. | Maj. Gen. | Rear Adm. | Rear Adm. | | Brig. Gen. | Brig. Gen. | Capt. | Capt. | | Col. | Col. | Cmdr. | Cmdr. | | Lt. Col. | Lt. Col. | Lt. Cmdr. | Lt. Cmdr. | | Maj. | Maj. | Lt. | Lt. | | Capt. | Capt. | Lt. j.g. | Lt. j.g. | | 1st Lt. | 1st Lt. | Ensign | Ensign | | 2nd Lt. | 2nd Lt. | | | ### Alone or After Names Spell out and lowercase. **Example:** - The general said troops would deploy. Gen. John Smith, the commanding general, announced the plan. --- ## Other Common Abbreviations | Term | Style | |------|-------| | et cetera | etc. | | for example | e.g., | | that is | i.e., | | number | No. | | versus | vs. | | United States | U.S. (as adjective), United States (as noun) | | United Kingdom | U.K. (as adjective) | | United Nations | U.N. (as adjective) | **Examples:** - U.S. policy - She moved to the United States. - U.N. officials --- # Part 5: Titles and Names --- ## Personal Names ### First Reference Use full name on first reference. **Example:** - Jane Smith was appointed CEO. ### Second Reference Use last name only on subsequent references. **Example:** - Smith said the company would expand. ### Nicknames Use quotation marks around nicknames inserted into a full name. **Example:** - James "Jimmy" Carter ### Suffixes Abbreviate Jr. and Sr. without a comma. **Examples:** - John Smith Jr. - Martin Luther King Jr. For numerical suffixes, use Roman numerals without a comma. **Example:** - King George III --- ## Professional Titles ### When to Capitalize Capitalize formal titles immediately before a name. Lowercase after a name or alone. **Examples:** - President Joe Biden signed the bill. - Joe Biden, president of the United States, signed the bill. - The president signed the bill. ### Long Titles Place long titles after the name, set off by commas, and lowercase. **Examples:** - Jane Smith, senior vice president for marketing and communications, issued a statement. - Not: Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications Jane Smith issued a statement. ### Job Descriptions vs. Titles Do not capitalize job descriptions that are not formal titles. **Examples:** - astronaut Sally Ride - economist Paul Krugman - attorney John Doe --- ## Legislative Titles ### U.S. Congress **First reference:** - Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. - Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. **Second reference:** - Warren, McCarthy **Generic reference:** - the senator, the representative Use party and state abbreviation format: D-Mass., R-Calif., I-Vt. ### State Legislatures Use the appropriate title for the state's legislative body. Identify the state. **Example:** - State Sen. John Smith of Texas --- ## Courtesy Titles ### General Rule Do not use Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss on first reference. ### Exceptions - Direct quotations that include the title - Obituaries (some publications use courtesy titles on second reference) - Where necessary to distinguish between people with the same last name **Example:** - The event honored John Smith and his wife, Mary Smith. Mr. Smith spoke briefly. --- ## Academic Titles ### Degrees Lowercase and spell out references to degrees. **Examples:** - She has a bachelor's degree. - He earned a master's degree in chemistry. - She holds a doctorate in physics. Use abbreviations only after a name. **Examples:** - John Smith, Ph.D. - Mary Jones, M.D. Do not use both a title and degree. - Wrong: Dr. Jane Smith, Ph.D. - Correct: Dr. Jane Smith or Jane Smith, Ph.D. ### Faculty Titles Lowercase unless before a name. **Examples:** - Professor John Smith spoke. - John Smith, a professor of economics, spoke. - The professor spoke. --- ## Religious Titles ### Clergy **Examples:** - the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (Protestant) - the Rev. John Smith (Catholic priest) - Rabbi David Cohen - Imam Ahmed Hassan On second reference: King, Smith, Cohen, Hassan ### Pope **First reference:** Pope Francis **Second reference:** Francis or the pope ### The Reverend Always use "the" before "Rev." Do not use "Reverend" as a standalone title. - Wrong: Reverend Smith - Correct: the Rev. John Smith; Smith --- ## Royalty and Nobility **First reference:** Use the formal title. - King Charles III - Queen Elizabeth II - Prince William **Second reference:** Use title or name alone, depending on context. - Charles, the king - William --- # Part 6: Attribution and Quotations --- ## Said ### Preferred Attribution Verb Use "said" for attribution in most cases. It is neutral and does not editorialize. **Examples:** - "We will investigate," the mayor said. - The senator said she would vote against the bill. ### Alternatives to "Said" Use alternatives sparingly and only when accurate: - **asked**—for questions - **wrote**—for written statements - **according to**—for documents, studies, reports Avoid editorializing verbs unless the description is clearly accurate: - admitted, claimed, conceded, denied—imply judgment - announced, added, explained, noted—generally acceptable when accurate ### Placement **After quotation (preferred):** - "We will investigate," she said. **Before quotation:** - She said, "We will investigate." **Interrupting (use sparingly):** - "We will investigate," she said, "and we expect to have answers soon." ### Said vs. Says Use past tense "said" for news stories. Use present tense "says" for feature stories or recurring situations. --- ## Quotation Guidelines ### Direct Quotations Use direct quotations when the exact words matter—for impact, flavor, or legal precision. **Examples:** - "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," Clinton said. - The contract states, "All disputes shall be resolved through arbitration." ### Partial Quotations Use partial quotations to highlight specific words or phrases. **Example:** - The mayor called the proposal "a waste of taxpayer money." Do not use partial quotations for routine phrases. - Wrong: The mayor said she was "very happy" with the results. - Better: The mayor said she was pleased with the results. ### Paraphrasing Paraphrase when the exact wording is not essential. Do not use quotation marks around paraphrased material. **Example:** - The mayor said the proposal would waste taxpayers' money. ### Cleaning Up Quotations Do not alter quotations to correct grammar or syntax except: - Minor grammatical errors may be corrected if they do not change meaning - Use brackets for necessary clarifications: "He [the defendant] left the scene." - Use ellipsis for omissions - Do not use "[sic]" except in formal or legal contexts ### Obscenity and Profanity Replace obscenities with dashes or descriptions in most cases. **Examples:** - "What the f---?" he said. - He used an expletive. Consult your editor when the exact language is newsworthy. --- ## Anonymous Sources ### General Guidance Avoid anonymous sources when possible. When used: - Clearly describe why the source cannot be named - Describe the source's position and knowledge as specifically as possible - Do not use "a source said" without qualification **Examples:** - A White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter said... - According to two people familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity to discuss private talks... ### Not Acceptable - "sources said" (how many? what kind?) - "according to reports" (which reports?) - "it was learned" (by whom?) --- ## On the Record, Off the Record, Background **On the record:** Information may be published and attributed. **Off the record:** Information is for the reporter's knowledge only and may not be published without a separate, confirmable source. **On background:** Information may be published but not attributed to a named source. The level of attribution should be negotiated (e.g., "a senior administration official," "a person close to the negotiations"). Always clarify the ground rules before an interview begins. --- # Part 7: Word Usage and Style --- ## Commonly Confused Words ### Accept / Except - **accept:** to receive—She accepted the award. - **except:** excluding—Everyone attended except John. ### Adverse / Averse - **adverse:** unfavorable—adverse conditions - **averse:** reluctant—She is averse to risk. ### Affect / Effect - **affect:** (verb) to influence—The law will affect thousands. - **effect:** (noun) result—The effect was immediate. - **effect:** (verb) to bring about—They hope to effect change. ### Among / Between - **among:** more than two—The prize was shared among four winners. - **between:** two items, or more than two when comparing them individually—The treaty was signed between France and Germany. The differences between the three candidates are significant. ### Anxious / Eager - **anxious:** worried, uneasy—She was anxious about the test. - **eager:** enthusiastic—She was eager to begin. ### Assure / Ensure / Insure - **assure:** to give confidence to a person—She assured him of her support. - **ensure:** to make certain—Steps were taken to ensure safety. - **insure:** to provide insurance—They insured the property. ### Capital / Capitol - **capital:** city, money, uppercase letter—Sacramento is the state capital. - **capitol:** building where legislature meets—The state capitol was renovated. ### Complement / Compliment - **complement:** to complete—The wine complements the meal. - **compliment:** praise—She received many compliments. ### Compose / Comprise - **compose:** parts compose a whole—Fifty states compose the union. - **comprise:** whole comprises parts—The union comprises 50 states. - Do not use "is comprised of." ### Discreet / Discrete - **discreet:** prudent, tactful—She was discreet about the matter. - **discrete:** separate—Three discrete units ### Farther / Further - **farther:** physical distance—He walked farther. - **further:** degree or extent—She will study the matter further. ### Fewer / Less - **fewer:** countable items—fewer people, fewer dollars - **less:** quantities, amounts—less money, less time ### Historic / Historical - **historic:** significant in history—a historic moment - **historical:** concerning history—historical documents ### Imply / Infer - **imply:** to suggest (speaker/writer)—She implied he was lying. - **infer:** to deduce (listener/reader)—He inferred from her tone that she was upset. ### Its / It's - **its:** possessive—The company raised its prices. - **it's:** contraction of "it is"—It's going to rain. ### Lay / Lie - **lay:** to place (requires object)—Lay the book on the table. Past: laid. - **lie:** to recline (no object)—Lie down. Past: lay. Past participle: lain. ### Principal / Principle - **principal:** chief, main; head of school—The principal reason; the school principal - **principle:** fundamental truth or belief—a matter of principle ### Stationary / Stationery - **stationary:** not moving—The vehicle was stationary. - **stationery:** writing paper—She bought new stationery. ### That / Which - **that:** introduces essential clauses (no commas)—The book that she wrote won an award. - **which:** introduces nonessential clauses (with commas)—The book, which was published last year, won an award. ### Their / There / They're - **their:** possessive—Their house is large. - **there:** location—Put it there. - **they're:** contraction of "they are"—They're arriving soon. ### Who / Whom - **who:** subject—Who is calling? - **whom:** object—To whom should I address this? - **Test:** If you can substitute "he" or "she," use "who." If you can substitute "him" or "her," use "whom." ### Who's / Whose - **who's:** contraction of "who is"—Who's there? - **whose:** possessive—Whose book is this? ### Your / You're - **your:** possessive—Your car is ready. - **you're:** contraction of "you are"—You're welcome. --- ## Usage Preferences ### Abbreviations in Text - **OK:** not okay - **percent:** use the symbol (%) with numerals - **vs.:** use in text; spell out "versus" in quotations ### Ages Always use numerals. Hyphenate when used as a modifier. **Examples:** - The boy is 5 years old. - A 5-year-old boy - The 5-year-old started school. ### Because / Since - **because:** for cause-and-effect - **since:** for time relationships (though acceptable for cause in some contexts) ### Collective Nouns Treat as singular unless emphasizing individuals. **Examples:** - The team is winning. (single unit) - The team are arguing among themselves. (individuals) - The jury has reached a verdict. ### Data Use as plural when referring to individual items. Acceptable as singular in common usage. **Examples:** - The data show a decline. - The data is inconclusive. (acceptable) ### Despite / In spite of Both are acceptable. "Despite" is more concise. ### Due to / Because of - **due to:** use after a linking verb—The cancellation was due to weather. - **because of:** use in other cases—The game was canceled because of weather. ### First / Firstly Use "first," "second," "third"—not "firstly," "secondly." ### Hopefully Acceptable to mean "it is hoped" in common usage. **Example:** - Hopefully, the rain will stop. ### More than / Over Use "more than" for quantities. "Over" is acceptable in many contexts. **Examples:** - More than 50 people attended. - Over 50 people attended. (acceptable) ### None Can be singular or plural depending on context. **Examples:** - None of the money was recovered. (singular) - None of the candidates have responded. (plural) ### People / Persons Use "people" for plural references to individuals. "Persons" is typically legal or formal. **Examples:** - Three people were injured. - Missing persons report ### Spokesman, Spokeswoman, Spokesperson Use specific terms when the gender is known. Use "spokesperson" when gender is unknown or to be inclusive. ### Toward / Towards Use "toward" (without the s). --- ## Spelling Preferences | Preferred | Not Preferred | |-----------|---------------| | adviser | advisor | | afterward | afterwards | | canceled | cancelled | | doughnut | donut | | gray | grey (except in proper names) | | judgment | judgement | | theater | theatre (except in proper names) | | toward | towards | | traveling | travelling | | T-shirt | tee shirt | | website | web site | | email | e-mail | | online | on-line | --- ## Words to Avoid ### Jargon Avoid bureaucratic jargon. Use plain language. | Avoid | Use Instead | |-------|-------------| | facilitate | help, lead | | implement | carry out, start | | leverage | use | | optimize | improve | | prioritize | rank, focus on | | utilize | use | | at this point in time | now | | in the event that | if | | prior to | before | | subsequent to | after | ### Editorializing Words Avoid words that editorialize in news copy: - **refuted:** means proved wrong, not merely denied - **admitted:** implies guilt - **claimed:** implies doubt - **only:** placement affects meaning ### Redundancies | Avoid | Use Instead | |-------|-------------| | 12 midnight | midnight | | 12 noon | noon | | completely destroyed | destroyed | | future plans | plans | | past history | history | | new record | record | | rise up | rise | | close proximity | proximity, nearby | | armed gunman | gunman | | end result | result | | free gift | gift | | unexpected surprise | surprise | --- # Part 8: Race, Identity, and Sensitivity --- ## Race and Ethnicity ### General Principles - Mention race or ethnicity only when relevant to the story. - Be specific when possible (Nigerian American rather than African American when accurate and relevant). - Avoid broad generalizations about racial or ethnic groups. - Capitalize racial and ethnic identifiers. ### Capitalization - **Black:** Capitalize when referring to people in a racial, ethnic, or cultural sense. - **white:** Lowercase. (Some organizations capitalize; follow your local style if different.) - **Indigenous:** Capitalize when referring to original inhabitants of a place or people in a cultural/political sense. Per AP 58th (2026), this identity reaches beyond race into the sovereignty + self-determination of tribal nations; treat with that broader framing, not as a purely racial designation. - **Native American, Indigenous, American Indian:** All acceptable; individuals, communities, and tribal nations have preferences—defer to the person, community, or nation referenced. Identify by tribal affiliation when possible (Cherokee, Navajo, Lakota, Diné, Haudenosaunee). Note tribal-sovereignty framing (treaty rights, jurisdiction, federal recognition, citizenship) when relevant to the story. - **Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latinx:** Hispanic emphasizes Spanish-speaking heritage; Latino/Latina refers to Latin American origin. Latinx is gender-neutral but not universally accepted; use when a person prefers it. ### Describing People Do not use race as a shorthand identifier. - Wrong: A Black man was arrested. - Correct: Police arrested John Smith, 35. (Include race only if relevant, such as in descriptions for suspects at large.) When descriptions are necessary (such as for suspects), include multiple identifying characteristics, not race alone. --- ## Gender and Sexual Orientation ### Transgender Coverage - Use the name and pronouns a person uses for themselves. - Do not use "preferred pronouns"—the pronouns someone uses are not a preference. - Do not use "born a man/woman" or "biologically male/female." If relevant, say "assigned male/female at birth." - **transgender:** adjective, not a noun. "A transgender woman," not "a transgender." - Do not use outdated terms like "transgendered," "transsexual," or "sex change." ### Sexual Orientation - Use "gay" for men, "lesbian" for women, or "gay" as an umbrella term. "Homosexual" is outdated. - "LGBTQ" is acceptable as an umbrella term. Spell out on first reference if clarity is needed. - Do not assume or out someone. Report sexual orientation only when relevant and with consent. ### Pronouns - They/them may be used as a singular pronoun when a person uses those pronouns. - Recast sentences when possible to avoid awkward constructions. **Examples:** - Alex said they would attend the meeting. - The student said they would attend. --- ## Disability ### Person-First vs. Identity-First Language - Default to person-first language: "person with a disability," "person who uses a wheelchair." - Some communities prefer identity-first language: "disabled person," "autistic person." Follow individual preferences when known. ### Terms to Avoid | Avoid | Use Instead | |-------|-------------| | handicapped | disabled, person with a disability | | wheelchair-bound | uses a wheelchair | | suffers from | has, lives with | | victim of | has, lives with | | mentally retarded | intellectual disability | | crazy, insane | (describe specific condition if relevant) | | normal (as opposite of disabled) | nondisabled, typical | ### Mental Health - Avoid casual use of clinical terms: "OCD," "bipolar," "schizophrenic." - Do not describe someone as mentally ill unless relevant and confirmed. - When covering suicide, do not include method details. Use "died by suicide," not "committed suicide." --- ## Age ### References Use numerals for all ages. **Examples:** - The boy, 7, started school. - She is 65. ### Terms - Avoid "elderly" except in quotes. Use "older adult" or specific age. - "Senior citizen" is acceptable but often unnecessary. - Avoid "young" as a descriptor unless specific. --- ## Socioeconomic Status - Avoid "poor" as a noun. Use "people with low incomes" or specific descriptions. - "Homeless" is acceptable as an adjective. "People experiencing homelessness" is more precise. - Avoid "inner city" as a euphemism for race or poverty. --- # Part 9: Legal and Court Terminology --- ## Court Names ### Federal Courts - the U.S. Supreme Court, the Supreme Court, the court - the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the 9th Circuit, the appeals court - U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the district court ### State Courts Follow the naming conventions of each state. Generally: - State Supreme Court (note: in New York, the Supreme Court is a trial court; the highest court is the Court of Appeals) - State appellate court, appeals court --- ## Criminal Justice ### Accusations and Charges People are accused or charged, not guilty until convicted. Use careful language. **Correct:** - John Smith, 35, was charged with murder. - Police accused Smith of robbery. - Smith, who police say robbed the bank... **Wrong:** - John Smith, 35, murdered his wife. - The murderer was arrested. ### Terminology | Term | Usage | |------|-------| | accused | charged with a crime | | alleged | claimed but not proven (use sparingly) | | arrested | taken into custody | | charged | formally accused | | convicted | found guilty | | indicted | charged by grand jury | | sentenced | punishment imposed | | suspect | person under suspicion (not yet charged) | | defendant | person facing charges | ### Verdicts - **guilty/not guilty:** jury verdicts in criminal cases - **liable/not liable:** verdicts in civil cases - Do not use "innocent" for verdicts—use "not guilty" --- ## Civil Matters ### Lawsuits - Parties are plaintiffs (filing suit) and defendants. - Outcomes are verdicts or judgments, not convictions. ### Settlements Note whether an amount is confirmed. If not, use "reportedly" or "according to." --- ## Privacy Considerations ### Identifying Information - Do not publish addresses of crime victims, witnesses, or jurors. - Use caution with photos that reveal locations. - Consider whether identifying information serves public interest. ### Minors - Generally do not identify minors who are crime victims or accused of crimes. - Exceptions may apply for serious crimes where the minor is charged as an adult. - Consult your editor. --- # Part 10: Sports --- ## Scores Use numerals with a hyphen. The winner's score comes first unless describing the losing team's performance. **Examples:** - The Lakers won 110-95. - The Giants lost 3-2. --- ## Records Use numerals with a hyphen. **Examples:** - The team is 10-5. - She is 15-2 this season. --- ## Statistics Use numerals for all statistics. **Examples:** - He rushed for 150 yards. - She hit .325. - He completed 22 of 35 passes. ### Decimals Use decimals, not fractions, for batting averages and other statistics. **Example:** - .325 (not .325 or 325) --- ## Team Names ### Plural vs. Singular Treat team names as plural. **Examples:** - The Giants are winning. - The Heat are playing tonight. (even though "Heat" is singular in form) ### City References Use the city name on first reference for professional teams. The team name alone is acceptable on subsequent references. **Examples:** - The New York Yankees won. The Yankees scored in the ninth. --- ## Common Sports Terms | Term | Usage | |------|-------| | ballclub | one word | | ballpark | one word | | box score | two words | | center field | two words (noun), center-field (adjective) | | doubleheader | one word | | extra innings | two words | | halftime | one word | | home run | two words (noun), home-run (adjective) | | lineup | one word (noun), line up (verb) | | pinch hitter | two words (noun), pinch-hit (verb, adjective) | | playoff | one word | | postseason | one word | | pregame | one word | | scoreboard | one word | | shutout | one word (noun), shut out (verb) | | Super Bowl | two words, capitalized | | three-pointer | hyphenated | | touchback | one word | | touchdown | one word | | World Series | capitalize | --- # Part 11: Business and Finance --- ## Company Names ### First Reference Use the full company name on first reference. **Example:** - Apple Inc. reported earnings Tuesday. ### Second Reference Use shortened names without Inc., Corp., Co., etc. **Example:** - Apple said sales increased. ### Stock Symbols Include stock symbols in parentheses on first reference when relevant. **Example:** - Tesla Inc. (TSLA) announced... --- ## Financial Terms ### Earnings | Term | Meaning | |------|---------| | revenue | total income before expenses | | profit | income after expenses (also: earnings, net income) | | operating income | profit from operations, before interest and taxes | | EBITDA | earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization | ### Stock Market | Term | Usage | |------|-------| | the Dow | acceptable for Dow Jones Industrial Average | | S&P 500 | Standard & Poor's 500 index | | Nasdaq | one word, capitalize first letter only | | bull market | rising prices | | bear market | falling prices | ### Percentages Use numerals and the percent symbol. **Examples:** - Sales rose 15%. - The rate increased 0.5 percentage points. (not 0.5%) Note the difference between percentage and percentage points: - A rate rising from 5% to 10% increased by 5 percentage points (not 100%). - A rate rising from 5% to 10% doubled, or increased by 100%. --- ## Currency ### U.S. Dollars Use the dollar sign and numerals. **Examples:** - $5 million - $4.35 billion - $100,000 ### Foreign Currency Identify the currency and convert to U.S. dollars when relevant. **Example:** - The fine was 10 million euros ($11 million). --- # Part 12: Datelines --- ## Format CITY NAME—followed by the story text. **Example:** - WASHINGTON—The president signed the bill Tuesday. --- ## When to Use Use a dateline when the primary action occurred in a location other than where the publication is based. --- ## Cities That Stand Alone These U.S. cities do not require a state name in datelines: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington --- ## Cities Requiring State Names All other U.S. cities require the state name. **Example:** - SACRAMENTO, Calif. — --- ## International Datelines Include the country name for most international cities. **Cities that stand alone internationally:** - Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Hong Kong, Jerusalem, London, Mexico City, Moscow, New Delhi, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vatican City, Vienna **Example:** - MANCHESTER, England —