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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.

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.

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:

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.

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

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

Words to Avoid

Jargon

Avoid bureaucratic jargon. Use plain language.

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

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

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

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

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

Stock Market

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 —