AP Stylebook
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The AP Stylebook is widely used as a writing and editing reference in newsrooms, classrooms and corporate offices worldwide. We offer a full suite of products to help you stay in style, whether on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.
Capitalize Midwest when referring to the 12-state region as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau (previously designated the North Central region) that is broken into two divisions.
Capitalize Midwestern as an adjective describing the region.
Capitalize Midwestern as an adjective describing the region.
Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith’s Midwest roots inspire surprise gift to U. of Michigan
Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith is gifting a need-based music scholarship to the University of Michigan. The 64-year-old grew up in Detroit's suburbs.
apnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Capitalize Midwest when referring to the 12-state region as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau (previously designated the North Central region) that is broken into two divisions.
Capitalize Midwestern as an adjective describing the region.
Capitalize Midwestern as an adjective describing the region.
A boat is a watercraft of any size but generally is used to indicate a small craft. A ship is a large, seagoing vessel.
The word boat is used, however, in some words that apply to large craft: ferryboat, PT boat.
apnews.com/article/edmu...
The word boat is used, however, in some words that apply to large craft: ferryboat, PT boat.
apnews.com/article/edmu...
'The legend lives on': Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald still resonates 50 years later
November 10th marks the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, perhaps the most famous of all the estimated 6,500 ships that have gone down in the Great Lakes.
apnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
A boat is a watercraft of any size but generally is used to indicate a small craft. A ship is a large, seagoing vessel.
The word boat is used, however, in some words that apply to large craft: ferryboat, PT boat.
apnews.com/article/edmu...
The word boat is used, however, in some words that apply to large craft: ferryboat, PT boat.
apnews.com/article/edmu...
AP style advises one L in cancel, canceled and canceling, but two Ls in cancellation.
apnews.com/article/gove...
apnews.com/article/gove...
What to do if your flight is delayed or canceled during the US government shutdown
The U.S. government shutdown has now dragged on for over a month, and shortages of air traffic controllers are straining operations — with flight disruptions piling up nationwide.
apnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:21 PM
AP style advises one L in cancel, canceled and canceling, but two Ls in cancellation.
apnews.com/article/gove...
apnews.com/article/gove...
Uncertainty doesn't go far enough to describe the current digital landscape. Revenue models have had a series of disruptions, algorithmic updates and AI features have destabilized search strategies, and social continues to be an enigma.
Digital Strategy and Content Creation
In this course, we'll cover the current state of the digital landscape, including the impact of AI, the importance of investing in loyal audiences and how to nurture the communities you create.
store.stylebooks.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Uncertainty doesn't go far enough to describe the current digital landscape. Revenue models have had a series of disruptions, algorithmic updates and AI features have destabilized search strategies, and social continues to be an enigma.
To filibuster is to make long speeches to obstruct the passage of legislation.
A legislator who used such methods also is a filibuster, not a filibusterer.
apnews.com/article/fili...
A legislator who used such methods also is a filibuster, not a filibusterer.
apnews.com/article/fili...
November 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
To filibuster is to make long speeches to obstruct the passage of legislation.
A legislator who used such methods also is a filibuster, not a filibusterer.
apnews.com/article/fili...
A legislator who used such methods also is a filibuster, not a filibusterer.
apnews.com/article/fili...
It's not too late to join AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content.
You can watch a replay of the first two sessions at your convenience, and join us live for the next two. Sign up now and mark your calendar for 11 a.m. Eastern on Wednesdays this month.
You can watch a replay of the first two sessions at your convenience, and join us live for the next two. Sign up now and mark your calendar for 11 a.m. Eastern on Wednesdays this month.
AP Stylebook Workshops
Join editors from The Associated Press for one or both engaging AP Stylebook Workshops in fall 2025, and you'll build your knowledge of AP style and your confidence in how to apply it to your work.…
store.stylebooks.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:02 PM
It's not too late to join AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content.
You can watch a replay of the first two sessions at your convenience, and join us live for the next two. Sign up now and mark your calendar for 11 a.m. Eastern on Wednesdays this month.
You can watch a replay of the first two sessions at your convenience, and join us live for the next two. Sign up now and mark your calendar for 11 a.m. Eastern on Wednesdays this month.
Use NEW YORK in datelines for New York City , not the name of an individual community or borough such as Flushing or Queens. Identify the borough in the body of the story if pertinent.
apnews.com/article/who-...
apnews.com/article/who-...
Zohran Mamdani's rise from Queens lawmaker to New York City mayor
Zohran Mamdani has stormed onto the national political scene by winning New York City's mayoral election.
apnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Use NEW YORK in datelines for New York City , not the name of an individual community or borough such as Flushing or Queens. Identify the borough in the body of the story if pertinent.
apnews.com/article/who-...
apnews.com/article/who-...
The producer price index is an index of changes in wholesale prices produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor. It is used as a gauge of inflation.
November 4, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The producer price index is an index of changes in wholesale prices produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor. It is used as a gauge of inflation.
Use the one word form sportsbook for places where sports bets are accepted either in person or online, unless part of a formal name.
The shorthand "book" is acceptable on second reference: The sportsbook opened in December; the book stopped taking bets before kickoff.
apnews.com/article/spor...
The shorthand "book" is acceptable on second reference: The sportsbook opened in December; the book stopped taking bets before kickoff.
apnews.com/article/spor...
Sports betting roundup: Game 7 of the World Series surrounded by a big football weekend
The Major League Baseball season concluded over the weekend with a thrilling Game 7 and it was surrounded by plenty of football action in college and the NFL.
apnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Use the one word form sportsbook for places where sports bets are accepted either in person or online, unless part of a formal name.
The shorthand "book" is acceptable on second reference: The sportsbook opened in December; the book stopped taking bets before kickoff.
apnews.com/article/spor...
The shorthand "book" is acceptable on second reference: The sportsbook opened in December; the book stopped taking bets before kickoff.
apnews.com/article/spor...
Enjoy that extra hour of sleep this weekend, and don't forget: It's daylight saving time, not savings with an S.
apnews.com/article/dayl...
apnews.com/article/dayl...
Here's what happens to your body when clocks 'fall back' an hour
It's time for most of America to move clocks back on Sunday. Daylight saving time ends in the U.S. at 2 a.m. local time, which means setting your clock back an hour.
apnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Enjoy that extra hour of sleep this weekend, and don't forget: It's daylight saving time, not savings with an S.
apnews.com/article/dayl...
apnews.com/article/dayl...
A Stylebook Online subscriber queried Ask the Editor about how to refer to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, on first reference.
Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton answered: Refer it to it by its full name first, then SNAP for the rest of the item.
Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton answered: Refer it to it by its full name first, then SNAP for the rest of the item.
October 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A Stylebook Online subscriber queried Ask the Editor about how to refer to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, on first reference.
Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton answered: Refer it to it by its full name first, then SNAP for the rest of the item.
Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton answered: Refer it to it by its full name first, then SNAP for the rest of the item.
Good editors don't just fix typos and punctuation.
They consider whether the writing is clear, concise and accurate. Is it getting its point across for its intended audience?
AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content will explore how to make your copy more compelling.
They consider whether the writing is clear, concise and accurate. Is it getting its point across for its intended audience?
AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content will explore how to make your copy more compelling.
AP Stylebook Workshops
Join editors from The Associated Press for one or both engaging AP Stylebook Workshops in fall 2025, and you'll build your knowledge of AP style and your confidence in how to apply it to your work.…
store.stylebooks.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Good editors don't just fix typos and punctuation.
They consider whether the writing is clear, concise and accurate. Is it getting its point across for its intended audience?
AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content will explore how to make your copy more compelling.
They consider whether the writing is clear, concise and accurate. Is it getting its point across for its intended audience?
AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content will explore how to make your copy more compelling.
Heavy floodwaters swept across southwestern Jamaica, winds tore roofs off buildings and boulders tumbled into roads Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa came ashore as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, tied for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricanes in history.
Hurricane Tracker
Two major weather systems are bringing heavy rain, high winds and more to Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on one side and the Caribbean on the other.
apnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Heavy floodwaters swept across southwestern Jamaica, winds tore roofs off buildings and boulders tumbled into roads Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa came ashore as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, tied for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricanes in history.
Use periods after numbers or letters in enumerating elements of a summary.
For example: 1. Wash the car. 2. Clean the basement.
Or: A. Punctuate properly. B. Write simply.
For example: 1. Wash the car. 2. Clean the basement.
Or: A. Punctuate properly. B. Write simply.
October 27, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Use periods after numbers or letters in enumerating elements of a summary.
For example: 1. Wash the car. 2. Clean the basement.
Or: A. Punctuate properly. B. Write simply.
For example: 1. Wash the car. 2. Clean the basement.
Or: A. Punctuate properly. B. Write simply.
Capitalize U.S. Capitol and the Capitol when referring to the building in Washington.
Follow the same practice when referring to state capitols.
But it's capital, spelled with the -al ending, for a city or town that is the seat of government.
Follow the same practice when referring to state capitols.
But it's capital, spelled with the -al ending, for a city or town that is the seat of government.
October 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Capitalize U.S. Capitol and the Capitol when referring to the building in Washington.
Follow the same practice when referring to state capitols.
But it's capital, spelled with the -al ending, for a city or town that is the seat of government.
Follow the same practice when referring to state capitols.
But it's capital, spelled with the -al ending, for a city or town that is the seat of government.
AP style says the terms marijuana and cannabis may be used interchangeably.
The term pot is acceptable in headlines and generally in stories, though it may not be appropriate in some stories.
apnews.com/article/supr...
The term pot is acceptable in headlines and generally in stories, though it may not be appropriate in some stories.
apnews.com/article/supr...
Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns
The Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest firearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights.
apnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:11 PM
AP style says the terms marijuana and cannabis may be used interchangeably.
The term pot is acceptable in headlines and generally in stories, though it may not be appropriate in some stories.
apnews.com/article/supr...
The term pot is acceptable in headlines and generally in stories, though it may not be appropriate in some stories.
apnews.com/article/supr...
For the first time in over 20 years, and only the 12th time since 1898, Merriam-Webster will release a new edition of its Collegiate Dictionary on Nov. 18.
October 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
For the first time in over 20 years, and only the 12th time since 1898, Merriam-Webster will release a new edition of its Collegiate Dictionary on Nov. 18.
The daring heist of crown jewels from the Louvre lasted less than eight minutes in total, including less than four minutes inside the museum. Among the items stolen was 19th-century diadem that belonged to Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III.
Louvre director acknowledges failure after jewel heist and says she offered to resign
The director of the Louvre Museum has acknowledged a ″terrible failure″ at the Paris monument after a stunning daylight crown jewel heist.
apnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The daring heist of crown jewels from the Louvre lasted less than eight minutes in total, including less than four minutes inside the museum. Among the items stolen was 19th-century diadem that belonged to Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III.
The AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content starts next week.
Sign up now for four weeks of live webinars featuring the editors who make AP style, plus access to Stylebook Online, Stylebook Study Guides and on-demand instructional videos.
store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook...
Sign up now for four weeks of live webinars featuring the editors who make AP style, plus access to Stylebook Online, Stylebook Study Guides and on-demand instructional videos.
store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook...
AP Stylebook Workshops
Join editors from The Associated Press for one or both engaging AP Stylebook Workshops in fall 2025, and you'll build your knowledge of AP style and your confidence in how to apply it to your work.…
store.stylebooks.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content starts next week.
Sign up now for four weeks of live webinars featuring the editors who make AP style, plus access to Stylebook Online, Stylebook Study Guides and on-demand instructional videos.
store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook...
Sign up now for four weeks of live webinars featuring the editors who make AP style, plus access to Stylebook Online, Stylebook Study Guides and on-demand instructional videos.
store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook...
The Stylebook defines cloud computing as the use of remote servers to store data and provide computing services to large numbers of users.
apnews.com/article/amaz...
apnews.com/article/amaz...
Massive Amazon cloud outage has been resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide
A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world. The outage on Monday took down a broad range of online services, including social media, gaming, food delivery,…
apnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The Stylebook defines cloud computing as the use of remote servers to store data and provide computing services to large numbers of users.
apnews.com/article/amaz...
apnews.com/article/amaz...
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the leading authority on global hunger crises, a formal classification of famine is made when three specific conditions exist: 20% of households have an extreme lack of food;
(continued)
(continued)
AP Stylebook Online Topical Guides
The AP Stylebook provides these guides on writing style and guidance for major events in the news.
www.apstylebook.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the leading authority on global hunger crises, a formal classification of famine is made when three specific conditions exist: 20% of households have an extreme lack of food;
(continued)
(continued)
Beware the punctuation in jack-o'-lantern as Halloween approaches.
October 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Beware the punctuation in jack-o'-lantern as Halloween approaches.
The AP Stylebook team is going to Washington, D.C., for PRSA's ICON 2025 conference. Will we see you there?
Come by booth 215 to say hello or to ask your AP style questions.
www.prsa.org/conferences-...
Come by booth 215 to say hello or to ask your AP style questions.
www.prsa.org/conferences-...
ICON 2025
PRSA ICON 2025 National Conference in Anaheim Calif.
www.prsa.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The AP Stylebook team is going to Washington, D.C., for PRSA's ICON 2025 conference. Will we see you there?
Come by booth 215 to say hello or to ask your AP style questions.
www.prsa.org/conferences-...
Come by booth 215 to say hello or to ask your AP style questions.
www.prsa.org/conferences-...
Diwali is the festival of lights, also called Deepavali. It gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that are lit to symbolize the victory of inner light over spiritual darkness.
October 16, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Diwali is the festival of lights, also called Deepavali. It gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that are lit to symbolize the victory of inner light over spiritual darkness.
AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content will cover the big-picture questions of how to improve your writing and editing to make your copy clear and compelling.
October 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM
AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content will cover the big-picture questions of how to improve your writing and editing to make your copy clear and compelling.