AP Style Primer Joe Humphrey MJE JEA Certification

+ AP Style Primer Joe Humphrey, MJE JEA Certification Commission

+ JEA standards n 1 A. 8. A variety of forms of journalistic writing (i. e. news, features, opinion, etc. ) and their appropriate style (i. e. Associated Press, multiple sources with attribution, punctuation, etc. ); additional forms unique to journalism (i. e. headlines, cutlines, plus visual presentations, etc. ) n 1 A. 9. Importance of matching language use, angle and style with intended audience • inverted pyramid • headlines and cutlines/captions • lead/lede • AP style • direct and indirect quotes • characteristics of news, feature • types of opinion writing

+ AP Style – The Study Guide n Capitalization n Titles n Numbers n Commas n Times n Dates n Attribution n City/State

+ Why do we have style? n. CONSISTENCY

+ Capitalization n Capitalize proper nouns n Capitalize key words of composition titles: “Catcher in the Rye” n Capitalize to begin a sentence (Duh!) n. A course name (Algebra 2) is capped but not a generic entry such as “algebra class” n The Class of 2012; the Senior Class, but not senior, sophomore, junior, etc. n Capitalize a formal title before a name: Principal William Orr but teacher Kim Green.

+ Titles n Don’t n We use courtesy titles such as Mr. , Mrs. do use Dr. -- for medical doctors. n Your still may deviate from this but it is important to remain consistent n Long titles work best after a name n Kim Green, chairwoman of the JEA Certification Commission n Do you need the title? The school district’s “special assistant director for communications” could just be a “spokesman” in your story. n Comp n titles in quote marks. No italics or underlines Many publications deviate from this too.

+ Numbers n There are plenty of rules here – and just as many exceptions n Generally speaking, write out single-digit numbers (one, two, seven) n Numbers 10 and higher are generally shown as numbers n 525, 600 minutes; 82 years ago n A notable exception: Numbers that begin a sentence: n Sixteen years ago, Zack Peterson’s life changed dramatically. n Often you can recast these types of ledes.

+ Numbers (x 2) n Some exceptions n Ages are always numbers n Andrew will turn 4 on Monday n Sports scores are numbers n And the winning score always comes first n The Broncos defeated the Jets 17 -14

+ Dates n “In September” but “Sept. 1” when referring to a specific date n It’s Sept. 1 not Sept. 1 st n The year is only necessary when needed for understanding n The concert is Nov. 24 n Live Aid was held July 13, 1985 n Jan. Feb. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

+ Give Me Time n 7 a. m. n 7: 20 a. m. n Noon n Midnight n From n If 7 -9 p. m. or from 11 a. m. to 2 p. m. within a week, you can use the day of the week n Days are not abbreviated in copy

+ Commas n NO COMMA BEFORE AND/OR IN A SERIES n I’m bringing apples, bananas and carrots to my picnic.

+ Currency n Use the fewest characters possible. n Tickets are $5. n Not tickets are $5. 00 n Not tickets are 5 dollars n Why run this: $4, 420, 240. 12 n It becomes $4. 42 million n But still $350, 000

+ Attribution n SAID n _______ n Definitely said. not “believes” or “feels”

+ City/State n BIG cities do not appear with states behind them. n Springfield, Ill. but just Chicago n Charleston, W. Va. and Charleston, S. C. n States are no longer abbreviated in copy but are in graphics n There are special abreviations, not postal: Fla. not FL, Minn. not MN n It would still say, “I’m from Florida” in a city-less context

+ After earning 500 dollars / $500. 00 / $500 / 500. 00 dollars / 500$, the new trainee quit so he could buy a car.

+ After earning $500, the new trainee quit so he could buy a car.

+ The Quiz Bowl team will meet in room 220 / Room 220.

+ The Quiz Bowl team will meet in Room 220.

+ The winning candidate received 27 percent / 27 per cent / 27 % / 27% of the vote.

+ The winning candidate received 27 percent of the vote.

+ On Saturday mornings at Nine / 9 a. m. / 9 A. M. / 9 , I play golf.

+ On Saturday mornings at 9, I play golf.

+ Andrew is 6 / six.

+ Andrew is 6.

+ Three teachers were named to the panel: Suzanne Cooks, Christine Deacon and [comma] / [no comma] Lou Rowland.

+ Three teachers were named to the panel: Suzanne Cooks, Christine Deacon and Lou Rowland.

+ “This is a great opportunity. ” OR “This is a great opportunity”.

+ “This is a great opportunity. ”

+ Have you met the new principal / Principal?

+ Have you met the new principal?

+ Melvin Williams / Mr. Williams is new to the administrative staff.

+ Melvin Williams is new to the administrative staff.

+ Sixteen / 16 more people have applied for the drama opening at Alta Deena Junior High.

+ Sixteen more people have applied for the drama opening at Alta Deena Junior High.

+ The Terriers lost 24 -17 / 17 -24.

+ The Terriers lost 24 -17.

+ B Lunch begins at noon / 12 p. m / 12 P. M. / 12: 00.

+ B Lunch begins at noon.

+ Chamberlain won its / it’s / their / there / they’re third game.

+ Chamberlain won its third game.

+ There are over / more than 300 applicants.

+ There are over / more than 300 applicants. * Either answer is now acceptable.

+ The controversial call did not affect / effect the outcome of the game.

+ The controversial call did not affect the outcome of the game.

+ It is not the money, it’s the principal / principle of it

+ It is not the money, it’s the principle of it.

+ It’s / Its approximately 100 miles from Austin to Waco.

+ It’s approximately 100 miles from Austin to Waco.

+ George said he needed to ensure / insure his home against storm damage.

+ George said he needed to insure his home against storm damage.

+ More than twenty / 20 juniors were named to the National Honor Society.

+ More than 20 juniors were named to the National Honor Society.

+ Jim Baker placed 3 rd / third in the national editorial writing contest.

+ Jim Baker placed third in the national editorial writing contest.

+ The meeting will begin at 6 p. m. / 6: 00 p. m. / 6 P. M.

+ The meeting will begin at 6 p. m.

+ The Drama Club will meet on Monday, Nov. rd 3 / Mon. , November 3 / Monday, Nov. 3 / MON, rd Nov 3 / Monday, 11/3.

+ The Drama Club will meet on Monday, Nov. 3.

+ Jamie Henderson, Editor / editor of the student paper, resigned in protest.

+ Jamie Henderson, editor of the student paper, resigned in protest.

+ In the game against Pioneer High on October th 16 / October 16 / Oct. 16 th,

+ In the game against Pioneer High on Oct. 16.

+ the Lobos beat the Scouts 24 to 7 / 24 -7.

+ the Lobos beat the Scouts 24 -7.

+ Let’s practice The first game for the Girl’s Varsity Basketball team was played at Gaither High School on Nov. 14. HHS beat Gaither 43 to 42. Senior Karissa Kortum, one of the three captains on the team, commented, “It was a close game, and they were taller than us. ” Sophomore Brianna Honeywell, an injured player who will be out for two more weeks, says “I’m not going to say bad things about the season before we start, but they did well and I am ready to start playing. ” Senior Katie Lutton, another captain, said that they have a few things to improve upon. “We had a lot of sloppy mistakes that we need to fix, ” she says. Karissa then commented, “We need to fix them now so we don’t do it again. ” Kortum and Lutton are both looking forward to the rest of the season. “We have potential. We need to show it, ” Kortum says.