Stop the Press! The Associated Press is changing its stylebook.
The Associated Press adopted website to replace Web site. The group announced the change Friday via its Twitter feed @APStylebook.
Although those in the industry apparently are divided about the change, I think it’s fabulous. Web site just looks dated and wrong.
Another change I’m not too thrilled about may occur in the stylebook’s 2010 edition.
AP officials are considering dropping state abbreviations. Dropping the abbreviations would not mean that AP Style would require postal abbreviations. Instead, all state names would be spelled out, based on the rule change, which would attempt to make state styles consistent internationally.
Spelling out state names doesn’t make sense in a style of writing that minimizes line and story lengths, and attempts to fit several words in a single column.
If all publications were following AP Style currently, they all would use the same abbreviations. If the abbreviations aren’t consistent, it is because all publications aren’t adhering to the current style. I’m not sure why we would change the rule for publications that don’t follow AP Style.
Sherri says
Great, now I have to go back and change all my documents at work. The joys of “website” editing.
thekrg says
But doesn’t it make you so happy? I just wish they would go with email instead of e-mail.
Sherri says
It does actually. I’ve had a hard time today. My fingers keep typing “Web site.”
thekrg says
I hear that!