There is comfort in consistency.
It’s good for your readers, your editors and for you.
The Associated Press, the world’s oldest news service, began creating the formal version of its Stylebook in 1953. It did so in the name of consistency although, prior to that, many AP Style rules served more practical purposes, like moving copy across the wire.
The Stylebook was created so all media writers would follow the same rules, all editors would edit according to those rules, and the public would get a standardized format, regardless of what publication they chose to read. It provides guidelines for spelling, language, punctuation, usage, and journalistic style.
The majority of professional media and public relations writers use the style, making it a must learn for media students.
AP Style endured because it addresses the challenges of large organizations writing for even larger readerships. It is the most effective way for reporters and editors to produce clear and concise stories.
While most publications also have a house style manual, they typically are based on Associated Press style and clarify or slightly alter the rules for specific readerships. The AP Stylebook addresses the most frequent usage errors and problems, creating a “golden standard” of media writing.
It’s easy for media writing students to become overwhelmed by trying to memorize the AP Stylebook, which is written in entry form, like a dictionary. But memorizing the Stylebook isn’t necessary. The best way to learn AP Style is to use it. You will find that you learn the rules you use frequently. You also will discover that regular usage of the book helps you understand what to find where when you need to look things up.
You will use your AP Stylebook nearly every day, a reliance that’s resulted in it being called “The Journalist’s Bible.” Keep it handy and refer to it often. You should have the latest version of the Stylebook, since word usage adapts with cultural changes. This means AP Style rules change. For example, the 2013 edition of the AP Stylebook includes nearly 100 new or updated entries in the almost 500-page book.
If you want to work in media or be a strong professional writer, you must have a solid grasp of AP Style and use it in all of your writing.
