Note: The information here is not meant to serve as a replacement to the “Associated Press Stylebook”; rather, it is a supplement to that information. We still strongly advise purchasing and studying the most current version of the “Associated Press Stylebook.”
Abbreviations and acronyms
Acronyms are formed by the first letter of each word in a phrase. Abbreviations are words or phrases that have been shortened. Avoid using abbreviations and acronyms when the reader would not quickly identify what it stands for. Some organizations are usually referred to by only their acronym because it is widely recognized (like FBI or CIA). Check the AP Stylebook for the individual cases if you are unsure. Never use this construction: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Upon first reference spell out, second reference abbreviate (unless specifically specified in the stylebook). If there are three or more letters there is no period after each letter. If there are fewer than three letters, use periods after each letter. Examples: Acronym: LASER (Light Amplified by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) Acronym: A.D. (anno Domini) Abbreviation: Gov. Butch Otter has been in office since January 2007. Abbreviation: Mr. Smith was born on Feb. 23, 1876. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” abbreviations and acronyms
Academic titles
When the formal titles directly precede a name, capitalize and spell out the title. When the formal title comes after the name, use lowercase. Examples: Correct: Chairman Mark Larson addressed the public. Incorrect: Dr. Phillip P. DiStefano is the chancellor of a University in Colorado. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” academic titles “Associated Press Stylebook” doctor
Addresses
Abbreviations for Avenue (Ave.), Boulevard (Blvd.) and Street (St.) should only be used with numbered address. All other words must be spelled out (Road, Court, Circle, Drive). Compass points (East, West, Northwest) are abbreviated with numbered addresses only. Examples: Correct: 3564 Amber St. Correct: 4074 E. Albion Circle Correct: Colorado Boulevard Incorrect: Holly Blvd. Incorrect: 7865 East Scholes Avenue Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” addresses
Ages
Ages should always be written as figures. When an age is used as the subject, use hyphens (see ex. 2). When an age is used right before the subject, use hyphens (see ex. 3). When the age comes after the subject, no hyphens are needed (see ex. 1). Ex. 1 correct: She just turned 7 years old last week. Ex. 2 correct: The 42-year-old stared at her bank statement. Ex. 3 correct: The 8-year-old girl ate a cupcake. Incorrect: My mother-in-law is seventy two. Incorrect: There were only six year old girls in her class. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” ages
Avenue
Only abbreviated when used with a numbered address. Examples: Correct: 9856 E. Grimson Ave. Incorrect: Amen Ave. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” avenue
Boulevard
Only abbreviated when used with a numbered address. Examples: Correct: 3940 Garfield Blvd. Incorrect: 7640 Holly Boulevard “Associated Press Stylebook” boulevard
Courtesy titles
Refer to individuals by their first and last names on first reference. On second reference, refer to individuals only by their last names. Courtesy titles (Mr., Miss., Ms., Mrs.) are only used for direct quotes, unless the use of the courtesy title is requested by the subject. Examples: Ex. 1 correct on first reference: Jim Cartwright, a motivational speaker, said his favorite people to talk to are college students. Ex. 2 correct on second reference: Cartwright said he couldn’t wait for the semester to begin. Ex. 3 correct on second reference: “I went to visit Mr. Cartwright after school,” he said. Incorrect on first reference: Cartwright visited the school. Incorrect on second reference: The dean said he loved Jim Cartwright’s speech. “Associated Press Stylebook” courtesy titles
Dates
Arabic figures should be used without st, nd, rd, or th. Examples: Correct: It snowed Jan. 16. Incorrect: We are going to a football game Nov. 3rd. “Associated Press Stylebook” dates
Days of the week
Days of the week must be capitalized. Only abbreviate when needed with a tabular format (Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat). Examples: Correct: Devotionals at BYU-Idaho always take place on a Tuesday. Incorrect: Clean checks will be this thursday. Incorrect: She decided to leave this Mon. “Associated Press Stylebook” days of the week
Doctor
Use Dr. before the full name in the first reference for physicians. After first reference, refrain from the use of Dr. Avoid using Dr. before the names of those who only hold the honorary title. Examples: Correct on first reference: Dr. Meredith Grey performed surgery. Incorrect on second reference: Dr. Sloane just finished reconstruction surgery. Incorrect: Dr. Chance Farnsworth is an award-winning journalist. He was awarded his honorary doctorate when he uncovered that political scandal last year. “Associated Press Stylebook” doctor
Dollars
Use figures and the $ sign unless the amount does not have a figure. Examples: Correct: The soda cost $5. Incorrect: Jane spent 30 dollars on chocolate. “Associated Press Stylebook” dollars
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA adequate after first reference. “Associated Press Stylebook” Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI suitable for any reference. Also can be referred to as the bureau. “Associated Press Stylebook” Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Communications Commission
FCC adequate after first reference. “Associated Press Stylebook” Federal Communications Commission
Governmental bodies
Capitalize the full, proper names of governmental agencies, departments and offices. Examples: Correct: The Boston City Council met Tuesday night. Incorrect: The Thornton fire department worked overtime fighting house fires. “Associated Press Stylebook” governmental bodies
Last
Last and latest are not interchangeable. Last generally means final, or the end. Latest means most recent. There are occasions where last means most recent as in when referring to weeks. Avoid being redundant when using the word last. Examples: Correct: The latest announcement was made at lunch time. Incorrect: The last announcement was made at lunch time. (Was it the last announcement ever or just the most recent?) Correct, but redundant: The town meeting was last Thursday in Jefferson County. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” last
Legislative titles
Rep., Reps., Sen., and Sens., should be used upon first reference as a formal title before the name. Spell out and lowercase representative and senator in other cases. Unless used as part of a direct quote, do not use legislative titles for second reference. Examples: Correct on first reference: Sen. Mike Lee has been in office since January 2011. Correct: Cory Gardner is one of many representatives for Colorado. Incorrect: “Taxes need to be cut,” said Senator Jet Smith. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” legislative titles
Midnight
Do not put 12 in front of midnight. Examples: Correct: The event is happening at midnight. Incorrect: The event is happening at 12 midnight. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” midnight
Military titles
Military titles are formal and should be capitalized before a name. After first reference, avoid using titles, and just use last names. Job descriptions (machinist, radarman, torpedoman) should not be capitalized. Examples: Correct: Gen. Derek Morgan has been in the service for the past 10 years. Correct: Capt. Penelope Garcia works with computer intelligence. Incorrect on second reference: Major Pitchforth joined the Air Force and just finished medical school. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” military titles
Millions, billions
Other than casual cases, use figures with millions, billions and trillions, but only go out two decimal places. Examples: Correct: The company is worth $5.65 million. Incorrect: Jessica and Tim bought their house for 200,235,112. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” millions, billions
Months
Month names need to be capitalized. Abbreviate months only when used with specific dates. Only abbreviate Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec. Spell out the other months. Examples: Correct: January in Rexburg is very cold. Blair Waldorf was born Feb. 23, 1989. Incorrect: The meeting will take place Apr. 13. Aug. 1990 was unusually warm. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” months
Names
Use first and last name and titles when appropriate on the first reference. Use last name without titles on the second and any other references unless requested by the subject. At BYU-Idaho we use President, Elder, Sister and Bishop for church leaders for all references. First names never stand alone unless referring to a child 17 or younger. Examples: Correct on first reference: John Miller said he likes the sunshine in Rexburg. Correct on second reference: Miller said he does not like the snow. Incorrect on second reference: Derrek Hatch said he and his wife eat at Fat Cats often. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” names
Noon
Do not add 12 in front of noon. Examples: Correct: The party will be at noon. Incorrect: The party will be at 12 noon. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” noon
Numerals
Numbers 1-9 should be spelled out. Numbers 10 and above should be represented by figures with regards to measuring, ages, animals, events and things. Spell the number out if it is at the beginning of a sentence. Examples: Correct: The tiger had two cubs. Tom Brady threw 340 yards in his last game. Thirty men worked on the bridge. Incorrect: There were ten bags of chips on the table. 24 dirty dishes were stacked in the sink. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” numerals “Associated Press Stylebook” millions, billions
Percent
Do not use the percent symbol (%); spell out percent. Use figures; then follow by the word percent. If amounts are less than one, lead with a zero and a decimal. Examples: Correct: She said 30 percent of students fail math. Skylar made a 0.5 percent increase in sales. Incorrect: Living expenses in New York dropped 0.2%. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” percent
Professor
Do not abbreviate professor. Use upon first reference, but not after unless in a direct quotation. Examples: Correct on first reference: Professor Mike Cannon is also the department chair. Incorrect: Prof. Mawlam is from England. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” professor
Religious movements
Evangelical, evangelism, fundamentalist, liberal, neo-Pentecostal, etc. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” religious movements
Religious titles
Clergymen and clergywomen should have their capitalized title in front of their name on first reference. The title is not needed with references after the first reference. Examples: Correct on first reference: The Rev. Billy Madison addresses the congregation. Incorrect on second reference: Pope Smith is the middle child. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” religious titles
Rev.
Precede the word Rev., with the word the before an individual’s name. Example: Correct: The sermon was given by the Rev. Clay Carlson. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” Rev.
Semiannual
Semiannual means twice a year. It is a synonym with biannual. Example: Correct: General conference is semiannual and takes place in April and in October. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” semiannual http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/biweekly-versus-semiweekly?page=all
State names
Postal abbreviations should only be used with a full address. The names of the 50 U.S states must always be spelled out unless in tabular material. **Note: This is a change in the 2014 edition of the stylebook and supersedes earlier editions. Examples: Correct: My mother-in-law is from Alaska. Voodoo Doughnuts started in Oregon, but has recently spread to Colorado. Incorrect: Missy has grown up in Rexburg ID., and has never lived anywhere else. The cruise ship left from Fairbanks, Al. for a week-long voyage. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” state names
Temperatures
Figures should be used unless the temperature is zero. To specify a temperature is below zero, use the word minus, not the symbol.
Examples:
Correct:
The day’s low is minus 30.
It was 15 below zero last night.
Incorrect:
Rexburg’s high is -9.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” temperatures
Time element
Do not use today or tonight, but refer to days of the week. Use the days of the week (Friday, Saturday, etc.) if the event happened within the past seven days.
Examples:
Correct:
The town meeting will be on Friday.
Incorrect:
Kellie had a birthday party last night.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” time element
Time of day
Time should be specified if it is important for the story. Different situations might call for time zone abbreviations after the time is given.
For example, if an event happened on the highway, it would be important to add time if it happened during rush hour. Due to it being rush hour, more people will be affected at that time of day.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” time of day
Time Sequences
When time sequences are needed, typically spell them out: 46 hours, 2 minutes, 57 seconds.
Examples:
Correct:
The bomb is set to go off in 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 33 seconds.
Incorrect:
The drop will happen in 3:58 and 32 seconds.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” time sequences
Times
Other than noon and midnight, use figures for times. Separate the hours and minutes with a colon. Avoid using redundant words like tonight and this morning (a.m., and p.m., will suffice).
Examples:
Correct:
The meeting will be at 11:30 a.m.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Incorrect:
The car accident happened last night at 11 PM.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” times
Titles
Formal titles directly in front of an individual’s name should be capitalized. Lowercase the titles if no name is included or the name is offset by commas.
Occupational descriptions (movie star, astronaut, farmer) are lowercase.
Examples:
Correct:
Vice President Fred Z. Randall is new.
The senator gave his speech.
The vice president, Fred Randall, is new to office.
Incorrect:
The Pope was newly ordained.
The team was led by Astronaut Frank Benedict.
We waited for president Obama to speak.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” titles
Today, tonight
Specific days should not be referred to as today or tonight; instead, use days of week. Today and tonight may be used within direct quotations or with phrases that do not actually specify the day of the week.
Examples:
Correct:
Taxes today are outrageous compared to a few years ago.
Incorrect:
The riot will happen tonight.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” today, tonight
Tomorrow
Specific days should not be referred to as tomorrow; instead, use days of week.
Tomorrow may be used within direct quotations or with phrases that do not actually specify the day of the week.
Examples:
Correct:
The world of tomorrow will rely even more heavily on technology.
Incorrect:
The planned speech is tomorrow.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” tomorrow
U.S.
U.S. is an abbreviation for United States (either as a noun or as an adjective). If used in datelines, no periods are necessary; otherwise, periods are required.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” U.S.
“Associated Press Stylebook” abbreviations and acronyms
USA
No periods are necessary when United States of America is abbreviated as USA.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” USA
“Associated Press Stylebook” abbreviations and acronyms
Years
When the year stands alone, no commas are needed. If there is a month, day, and year place a comma between day and year and after the year if there is more to the sentence.
To specify decades or centuries use an s without an apostrophe after the year.
Examples:
Correct:
Andrew was born on April 1, 1994, in a bathtub.
The declaration was signed in 1776.
She enjoyed living in the 1980s.
Incorrect:
The 1920’s are referred to as the flapper era.
Wal-Mart was founded in March, 1962.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” years
Yesterday
Specific days should not be referred to as yesterday; instead, use days of week.
Yesterday may be used within direct quotations or with phrases that do not actually specify the day of the week.
Examples:
Correct:
Yesterday we were younger then we are today.
Incorrect:
There was a commotion yesterday at the meeting.
Additional resources:
“Associated Press Stylebook” yesterday
