AP StyleAP Style

20132013

(with thanks to Gary Djajapranata)(with thanks to Gary Djajapranata)

Day I: AP Style, Number RulesDay I: AP Style, Number Rules

Day II: AP Style, Various RulesDay II: AP Style, Various Rules

Day III: HUB StyleDay III: HUB Style

Day IV: GrammarDay IV: Grammar

Unit I: AP Style Number Unit I: AP Style Number RulesRules

NumbersNumbers

MoneyMoney

AgeAge

NUMBERS: the basic rules NUMBERS: the basic rules (memorize them!)(memorize them!)

- Spell out one through nineSpell out one through nine- Numerals for any number larger than Numerals for any number larger than

1010- Yes, it is the numeral 10, (NOT TEN)!Yes, it is the numeral 10, (NOT TEN)!- Commas in numerals such as 5,234Commas in numerals such as 5,234

Ex) Grace Calhoun has two sisters.Ex) Grace Calhoun has two sisters.

Grace Calhoun has 1,256 admirers.Grace Calhoun has 1,256 admirers.

NUMBERS: Numeric WordsNUMBERS: Numeric Words

-Most other forms of numeric words -Most other forms of numeric words follow the general rules:follow the general rules:

third place, 11third place, 11thth place place

fourth grade, 12fourth grade, 12thth grade grade

They have Comp Lit fifth period.They have Comp Lit fifth period.

NUMBERS: Millions and NUMBERS: Millions and BillionsBillions

2 million, 8 trillion2 million, 8 trillion

(notice that we use the numerals 2 and 8,(notice that we use the numerals 2 and 8,

not two and eight)not two and eight)

Ex)47 billion, 11 million, 55 quadrillion, Ex)47 billion, 11 million, 55 quadrillion, etc…etc…

Note: we do not do this for the thousands!Note: we do not do this for the thousands!

NUMBERS: Decimals and NUMBERS: Decimals and FractionsFractions

- Spell out clean fractions less than 1 WITH HYPHENSpell out clean fractions less than 1 WITH HYPHENone-half, one-third, two-thirds, one-fourth, three-one-half, one-third, two-thirds, one-fourth, three-

fourthsfourths

- For any fractional numbers greater than 1, use - For any fractional numbers greater than 1, use NUMERALS ONLYNUMERALS ONLY1.5, 3.75, 15.11.5, 3.75, 15.1

- For any non-clean fractions less than 1, use For any non-clean fractions less than 1, use numbers with a 0 preceding the decimal point:numbers with a 0 preceding the decimal point:

0.44, 0.7910.44, 0.791

Numbers: PercentNumbers: Percent

Always spell out percent, never use % Always spell out percent, never use % sign.sign.

(This is a text rule— graphics can use the (This is a text rule— graphics can use the % sign if needed)% sign if needed)

50 percent, 25 percent, 0.10 percent, 255 50 percent, 25 percent, 0.10 percent, 255 percentpercent

NUMBERS: Important NUMBERS: Important ExceptionException

A numeral cannot begin a sentence, A numeral cannot begin a sentence, no matter how big that numeral is.no matter how big that numeral is.

Eight hundred protesters froze to Eight hundred protesters froze to death yesterday night.death yesterday night.

Three million people wanted to touch Three million people wanted to touch Kelly Wilkerson’s jacket.Kelly Wilkerson’s jacket.

Ages: the basic ruleAges: the basic rule

-Always use NUMERALS for ages:-Always use NUMERALS for ages:

The boy is 9 years old, the baby is 2 The boy is 9 years old, the baby is 2 months old.months old.

The kindergartner, 6, went home early.The kindergartner, 6, went home early.

- This rule applies to ALL ANIMATE OBJECTS. This rule applies to ALL ANIMATE OBJECTS. Dogs, cats, humans, babies all take Dogs, cats, humans, babies all take numeralsnumerals

Trees, buildings, schools, DO NOT.Trees, buildings, schools, DO NOT.

Ages: HyphenationAges: Hyphenation

- Hyphenate ages when used as a - Hyphenate ages when used as a compound adjective or as a noun.compound adjective or as a noun.

Ex) 18-year-old Daniel TuttEx) 18-year-old Daniel Tutt

The 18-year-old is editor-in-chief ofThe 18-year-old is editor-in-chief of

The HUB.The HUB.- But some forms don’t require the But some forms don’t require the

hyphenhyphen

Ex) Daniel Tutt is 18 years old.Ex) Daniel Tutt is 18 years old.

Numeric Exception: AgeNumeric Exception: Age

-The numeric exception for the beginning -The numeric exception for the beginning of the sentence APPLIES to ages.of the sentence APPLIES to ages.

Five years old, the toddler threw up on his Five years old, the toddler threw up on his mother.mother.

Seventeen-year-old Chris Garrison is in a Seventeen-year-old Chris Garrison is in a bromance with 18-year-old Nick Juanitas.bromance with 18-year-old Nick Juanitas.

Money: the basic rulesMoney: the basic rules- Use the $ sign, never spell out Use the $ sign, never spell out

‘dollars’‘dollars’

Ex) $3.23, $6.50Ex) $3.23, $6.50

-If it is a clean $ amount, do not put .00-If it is a clean $ amount, do not put .00

Ex) $5 (NOT $5.00 or five dollars)Ex) $5 (NOT $5.00 or five dollars)

- If something is in a CENTS amount, use $ If something is in a CENTS amount, use $ sign and place a 0 before the decimal point.sign and place a 0 before the decimal point.

$0.50, $0.05, $0.75, etc. $0.50, $0.05, $0.75, etc.

Money: Millions and BillionsMoney: Millions and Billions

How do we write $3,200,000?How do we write $3,200,000?

$3.2 million$3.2 million

How do we write $4,432,234,591?How do we write $4,432,234,591?……about $4.4 billion about $4.4 billion (we just approximate to a (we just approximate to a

clean number)clean number)

NOTE: WE DO NOT DO THIS WITH NOTE: WE DO NOT DO THIS WITH AMOUNTS IN THE THOUSANDS!!AMOUNTS IN THE THOUSANDS!!

Numeric Exception: MoneyNumeric Exception: Money

-The numeric exception for the -The numeric exception for the beginning of the sentence does NOT beginning of the sentence does NOT apply to money.apply to money.

$5 is required to enter the dance.$5 is required to enter the dance.

$3.2 million dollars will be raised from $3.2 million dollars will be raised from the parcel tax.the parcel tax.

UNIT II: AP Style, Various UNIT II: AP Style, Various RulesRules

Time and DatesTime and Dates AddressesAddresses TitlesTitles Speech TagsSpeech Tags List SeparationList Separation Classes vs. Subject Areas Classes vs. Subject Areas Capitalization RulesCapitalization Rules SportsSports Miscellaneous RulesMiscellaneous Rules

TimeTime

Use numerals and a.m. or p.m. Use numerals and a.m. or p.m.

4:30 a.m., 6:15 p.m.4:30 a.m., 6:15 p.m.

IF it is exactly on the hour… NO :00IF it is exactly on the hour… NO :00

5 p.m., 7 a.m.5 p.m., 7 a.m.

Except: spell out noon and midnightExcept: spell out noon and midnight

DatesDates

-Abbreviate: Jan.-Feb. and Aug.-Dec.-Abbreviate: Jan.-Feb. and Aug.-Dec.

-Easy rule: If the month has more than -Easy rule: If the month has more than five letters, abbreviate itfive letters, abbreviate it

-The date is always just a numeral, -The date is always just a numeral, never “the third of March”never “the third of March”

Jan. 14, May 17, Dec. 25Jan. 14, May 17, Dec. 25

Dates: When Months Stand Dates: When Months Stand AloneAlone

If there is no specific date, no If there is no specific date, no abbreviation:abbreviation:

Anna Sturla’s birthday is in January.Anna Sturla’s birthday is in January.

BUT: Anna Sturla’s birthday is Jan. 21BUT: Anna Sturla’s birthday is Jan. 21

Capitalization of Expressions of Capitalization of Expressions of TimeTime

Capitalize:Capitalize:- MonthsMonths- Days of Week: Monday, SaturdayDays of Week: Monday, Saturday

DO NOT CAPITALIZE:DO NOT CAPITALIZE:

Seasons: summer, spring, winter, Seasons: summer, spring, winter, autumnautumn

AddressesAddresses

Abbreviate street if in numbered address:Abbreviate street if in numbered address:

315 W. 14315 W. 14thth St. St.

But if there is no address…But if there is no address…

W. 14W. 14thth Street Street

Spell out First through Ninth Street when Spell out First through Ninth Street when used as street names. 10used as street names. 10thth Street, etc. for Street, etc. for the following numeric addressesthe following numeric addresses

Titles: class rankTitles: class rank

-senior, junior, sophomore. NO CAPS-senior, junior, sophomore. NO CAPS

Combine titles when more than one Combine titles when more than one senior, etc.senior, etc.

The HUB’s photographers consist of The HUB’s photographers consist of junior Lani Chang and seniors Peter junior Lani Chang and seniors Peter Lin, Jenny Davisson and Anders Lin, Jenny Davisson and Anders Young. Young.

Capitalization rules for titlesCapitalization rules for titles

-Capitalize “important” titles when they come -Capitalize “important” titles when they come beforebefore the name: the name:

Principal Jacquelyn MoorePrincipal Jacquelyn MooreVice Principal Tom McHaleVice Principal Tom McHaleSchool Board President Sheila AllenSchool Board President Sheila Allen

- No caps for “unimportant” titles no matter where No caps for “unimportant” titles no matter where they are:they are:

head coach Dan Gonzalez, teacher Kelly Wilkersonhead coach Dan Gonzalez, teacher Kelly WilkersonExample: Principal Jacquelyn Moore praised her vice Example: Principal Jacquelyn Moore praised her vice

principals and Sheila Allen, the president of the principals and Sheila Allen, the president of the school board.school board.

Reference RulesReference Rules

First name and last on first reference, First name and last on first reference, then last name throughout. Exception: then last name throughout. Exception: family members.family members.

Junior Annamarie Pilon, a graphic artist Junior Annamarie Pilon, a graphic artist for The HUB, is rapidly learning AP style. for The HUB, is rapidly learning AP style. Pilon believes she can ace the test on Pilon believes she can ace the test on Friday.Friday.

““No biggie,” Pilon said.No biggie,” Pilon said.

Titles: Other RulesTitles: Other Rules

Never use Mr. or Mrs. when referencing Never use Mr. or Mrs. when referencing teachers. It’s just: journalism teacher teachers. It’s just: journalism teacher Kelly Wilkerson, biology teacher Ann Kelly Wilkerson, biology teacher Ann MoriartyMoriarty

Only use Dr. for medical doctors, not Only use Dr. for medical doctors, not just Ph.D holders. We DO NOT SAY Dr. just Ph.D holders. We DO NOT SAY Dr. Moore!!! We do NOT say Dr. John Smith, Moore!!! We do NOT say Dr. John Smith, a professor of chemistry at UC Davis…a professor of chemistry at UC Davis…

Speech TagsSpeech Tags

Always use the formula: Person saidAlways use the formula: Person said

Ex) “I love you,” junior Shauna Simon Ex) “I love you,” junior Shauna Simon said.said.

COMMA GOES INSIDE QUOTATIONCOMMA GOES INSIDE QUOTATION

In fact, ALL punctuation goes inside In fact, ALL punctuation goes inside quotationquotation

Try Splitting Quotes!Try Splitting Quotes!

Instead of: “I like to eat food. I Instead of: “I like to eat food. I wouldn’t live without it. I’m a food wouldn’t live without it. I’m a food monster,” junior Lani Chang said.monster,” junior Lani Chang said.

Try this:Try this:

““I like to eat food,” junior Lani Chang I like to eat food,” junior Lani Chang said. “I wouldn’t live without it. I’m a said. “I wouldn’t live without it. I’m a food monster.”food monster.”

List Separation RuleList Separation Rule

No comma before last item of a listNo comma before last item of a list

Senior Peter Lin likes to eat Senior Peter Lin likes to eat hamburgers, cheeseburgers, turkey hamburgers, cheeseburgers, turkey burgers, salmon burgers, steak burgers, salmon burgers, steak burgers, McDonald’s burgers, Burger burgers, McDonald’s burgers, Burger King burgers and Habit Burger King burgers and Habit Burger burgers.burgers.

Classes vs. Subject AreasClasses vs. Subject Areas

Only capitalize official course titles, not Only capitalize official course titles, not subject areas:subject areas:

historyEuropean History

French class

He is a professor of chemistry.

Biology I students

I like to study biology.

biology test

economics assignment

Algebra II/Trig class

Honors Physics lab

math test

Economics II

Capitalization Rules: MediaCapitalization Rules: Media

CAPITALIZE these items because they CAPITALIZE these items because they are PROPER NOUNS.are PROPER NOUNS.

-Facebook, Wikipedia, Google, Twitter, -Facebook, Wikipedia, Google, Twitter, Tumblr, Internet, etc…Tumblr, Internet, etc…

DO NOT CAPITALIZE:DO NOT CAPITALIZE:- email, websiteemail, website Apple devices: The i is LOWERCASE, Apple devices: The i is LOWERCASE,

the next letter is CAPITALIZED:the next letter is CAPITALIZED:iPod Touch, iPhone 4S, iPad, iMac, etc…iPod Touch, iPhone 4S, iPad, iMac, etc…

Capitalization Rules: DHS-Capitalization Rules: DHS-relatedrelated

Always Capitalize:Always Capitalize:Student GovernmentStudent GovernmentEx) Members of Student Government are Ex) Members of Student Government are

meeting today at lunch.meeting today at lunch.

Do Not Capitalize:Do Not Capitalize:yearbook yearbook Ex) Those losers are yearbook staff Ex) Those losers are yearbook staff

members.members.

AP/HUB Style for SportsAP/HUB Style for Sports

- JV and varsityJV and varsity- men’s and women’s (no cap)men’s and women’s (no cap)- Do not capitalize names of sports!Do not capitalize names of sports!- And we don’t capitalize the title ‘coach’And we don’t capitalize the title ‘coach’- It is no. 1, NOT #1. Includes no. 2, no. 3, etc.It is no. 1, NOT #1. Includes no. 2, no. 3, etc.

Ex) Junior Glenn Hull plays no. 1 on the men’s Ex) Junior Glenn Hull plays no. 1 on the men’s varsity tennis team, according to head coach varsity tennis team, according to head coach Dale Hersch.Dale Hersch.

Miscellaneous APMiscellaneous AP

No ‘s’ in toward, backward, forward, No ‘s’ in toward, backward, forward, etc.etc.

ADVISER, not advisorADVISER, not advisor

Quotations: when referring to all works Quotations: when referring to all works of art, literature, plays, movies, songs, of art, literature, plays, movies, songs, etc.etc.

Ex) “Inception,” “Catcher in the Rye,” Ex) “Inception,” “Catcher in the Rye,” “Don’t Stop Believing”“Don’t Stop Believing”

Unit III: GrammarUnit III: Grammar

Erratic WordsErratic Words EllipsesEllipses PossessivesPossessives Singular vs. PluralSingular vs. Plural HyphensHyphens Class PeriodsClass Periods HoweverHowever

Erratic Word Set #1Erratic Word Set #1

Since/BecauseSince/Because

- ‘Since’ is only an expression of time, as in:- ‘Since’ is only an expression of time, as in:I have not slept since Monday. ‘Since’ I have not slept since Monday. ‘Since’

cannot be used to replace ‘because’cannot be used to replace ‘because’

INCORRECT: I don’t want to sleep since I’m INCORRECT: I don’t want to sleep since I’m not tired.not tired.

CORRECT: I don’t want to sleep because I’m CORRECT: I don’t want to sleep because I’m not tired.not tired.

Erratic Word Set#2Erratic Word Set#2

Who/ThatWho/That- ‘‘Who’ denotes a person, ‘that’ denotes a Who’ denotes a person, ‘that’ denotes a

thing. Check all nouns/pronouns that thing. Check all nouns/pronouns that replace people and make sure they use the replace people and make sure they use the ‘who’ form!!‘who’ form!!

Incorrect: He is the player that scored the Incorrect: He is the player that scored the most points.most points.

Correct: He is the player who scored the most Correct: He is the player who scored the most points.points.

Erratic Word Set#3Erratic Word Set#3

Over/more thanOver/more than

- ‘‘Over’ is a preposition; use ‘more than’ Over’ is a preposition; use ‘more than’ when talking about numbers.when talking about numbers.

Incorrect: The team scored over 50 Incorrect: The team scored over 50 points.points.

Correct: The team scored more than 50 Correct: The team scored more than 50 points.points.

The Commonly Erratic The Commonly Erratic FormsForms

Be careful of form usage in these Be careful of form usage in these words:words:

-They’re, their, there-They’re, their, there

-Your, you’re-Your, you’re

-its, it’s-its, it’s

Possessive: with sPossessive: with s

Unlike in standard usage, AP style requires Unlike in standard usage, AP style requires that a common singular noun ending in ‘s’ that a common singular noun ending in ‘s’ does not add an ‘s’ in its possessive form, does not add an ‘s’ in its possessive form, but just carries an apostrophe.but just carries an apostrophe.

Ex) The albatross’ beakEx) The albatross’ beak A plural noun just takes the apostropheA plural noun just takes the apostrophe

Ex) The students’ homeworkEx) The students’ homework A proper noun ending in s just takes the A proper noun ending in s just takes the

apostropheapostrophe

Ex) Tom Hoss’ penEx) Tom Hoss’ pen

Careful with possessives!Careful with possessives!

-The possessive of ‘student’ is commonly -The possessive of ‘student’ is commonly erratic! Check to see if you’re talking erratic! Check to see if you’re talking about one student vs. many!!about one student vs. many!!

Ex) At the basketball game, the Ex) At the basketball game, the students’ cheers deafened the crowd.students’ cheers deafened the crowd.

Ex) One student’s cheer was very loud.Ex) One student’s cheer was very loud.

Singular vs. PluralSingular vs. Plural

These words are SINGULAR subjects and These words are SINGULAR subjects and take SINGULAR verbs and pronouns:take SINGULAR verbs and pronouns:

- group, team, class, familygroup, team, class, family

Ex) The family owns its own house.Ex) The family owns its own house.

The team played its very best.The team played its very best.

BUT: The team members played their BUT: The team members played their best. best.

(What about “couple”? Singular or plural… (What about “couple”? Singular or plural… your choice!)your choice!)

Class PeriodsClass Periods

Standard numbering rule applies to period:Standard numbering rule applies to period:

Ex) It is first period right now. Because it is Ex) It is first period right now. Because it is Thursday, I’m going to third period next.Thursday, I’m going to third period next.

CAUTION: Hyphens— sometimes, class CAUTION: Hyphens— sometimes, class periods take the form of compound periods take the form of compound adjectives!adjectives!

Ex) My fifth-period class is AP Chemistry.Ex) My fifth-period class is AP Chemistry.

Ex) She has Mr. van Muyden as her third-Ex) She has Mr. van Muyden as her third-period chemistry teacher.period chemistry teacher.

Unit IV: HUB StyleUnit IV: HUB Style

The HUBThe HUB DHSDHS GPAGPA University abbreviationsUniversity abbreviations Regions in DavisRegions in Davis HUB Style for EditorsHUB Style for Editors A little bit of grammar: compound A little bit of grammar: compound

adjectives!adjectives!

HUB Style: The HUBHUB Style: The HUB

This is the proper capitalization:This is the proper capitalization:The HUB (no quotations or italics)The HUB (no quotations or italics)

Other HUB-related words…Other HUB-related words…HUBsterHUBsterHUBpleHUBpleHUBBQHUBBQHUBNOMNOMHUBNOMNOMHUBBA HUBBAHUBBA HUBBA

HUB Style: DHSHUB Style: DHS

In newspaper: It is In newspaper: It is alwaysalways DHS on DHS on allall references…references…

On website: It is Davis High School on On website: It is Davis High School on first reference, DHS on second first reference, DHS on second referencereference

Side Note: Da Vinci Charter Academy on Side Note: Da Vinci Charter Academy on first reference, Da Vinci on repeated first reference, Da Vinci on repeated referencereference

HUB Style: GPAHUB Style: GPA

AP Stylebook says: grade-point-AP Stylebook says: grade-point-averageaverage

However, we say: GPA on ALL However, we say: GPA on ALL references.references.

Ex) His GPA is 4.33Ex) His GPA is 4.33

HUB Style: UniversitiesHUB Style: Universities

-First Reference: UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UC Santa -First Reference: UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UC Santa BarbaraBarbara

-Repeated Reference: UCD, Cal, UCSB-Repeated Reference: UCD, Cal, UCSB-UCLA is always UCLA-UCLA is always UCLA-Other UCs are not as common so there is no second -Other UCs are not as common so there is no second

reference abbreviation (UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz)reference abbreviation (UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz)

When we speak of the UC system (not a specific When we speak of the UC system (not a specific university), it is “University of California” on first university), it is “University of California” on first reference, and UC on repeated references.reference, and UC on repeated references.

Ex) University of California President Mark Yudof said Ex) University of California President Mark Yudof said the UC regents will be meeting to discuss the the UC regents will be meeting to discuss the pepper-spray incident.pepper-spray incident.

HUB Style: Regions in DavisHUB Style: Regions in Davis

• Capitalize North Davis, South Davis, Capitalize North Davis, South Davis, East Davis, West Davis, Central DavisEast Davis, West Davis, Central Davis

• No capitalization:No capitalization:downtown Davisdowntown Davis

Hyphens in compound Hyphens in compound adjectivesadjectives

We went on a 15-mile hike.We went on a 15-mile hike.

BUT: The hike we went on was 15 miles.BUT: The hike we went on was 15 miles.

The two-hour talk showThe two-hour talk show

BUT: The talk show was two hours long.BUT: The talk show was two hours long.

More Hyphenated More Hyphenated ExpressionsExpressions

- That was a one-time exceptionThat was a one-time exception- 17-year-old Micaela Everitt17-year-old Micaela Everitt- The once-beautiful house is now ruined.The once-beautiful house is now ruined.- The twice-bankrupt manThe twice-bankrupt man

NOTE: ‘ly’ words that come before a noun don’t NOTE: ‘ly’ words that come before a noun don’t follow this rule because they’re adverbs, not follow this rule because they’re adverbs, not adjectivesadjectives

Ex) The exceptionally fast runner beat his recordEx) The exceptionally fast runner beat his record

EllipsesEllipses

-Whenever we use … -Whenever we use …

There are THREE dots, not four or two.There are THREE dots, not four or two.

- In a quote, bracketed ellipses […] In a quote, bracketed ellipses […] signify a jump to another portion of the signify a jump to another portion of the interview.interview.

- Unbracketed ellipses … in quotes Unbracketed ellipses … in quotes signify a pause in their speech that you signify a pause in their speech that you want to reflect in your writing.want to reflect in your writing.

HUB Style: For EditorsHUB Style: For Editors

-BYLINE TITLES-BYLINE TITLESHUB Staff HUB Staff or or Editor-in-ChiefEditor-in-Chiefor or HUB CorrespondentHUB Correspondent

-Section editors use title in their section only, but -Section editors use title in their section only, but there is no there is no HUB HUB in front of title:in front of title:

News Editor, Features Editor, In-Depth EditorNews Editor, Features Editor, In-Depth Editor

-When there is a shared byline with two people of -When there is a shared byline with two people of different titles, the title reverts to: different titles, the title reverts to: HUB StaffHUB Staff

The HUBThe HUB