Associated Press Stylebook
AP Stylebook, 2004 edition
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| Author | Norm Goldstein (editor 1979–2007); AP Editors (since 2008) |
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| Original title | The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual |
| Country | United States |
| Language | American English |
| Series | Updated annually |
| Subject | Style guide |
| Genre | Journalism reference |
| Publisher | Basic Books |
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Publication date
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July 14, 2015 |
| Pages | 536 (2015 ed., trade paperback), 600 (2015 ed., spiral-bound) |
| ISBN | (2015 trade paperback), 978-0-917-36061-9 (2015 spiral-bound) |
The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, usually called the AP Stylebook, is an English grammar style and usage guide created by American journalists working for or connected with the Associated Press over the last century to standardize mass communications. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference for most forms of public-facing corporate communication over the last half-century. The Stylebook offers a basic reference to grammar, punctuation and principles of reporting, including many definitions and rules for usage as well as styles for capitalization, abbreviation, spelling and numerals.
The first publicly available edition of the book was published in 1953 and was updated biennially over the next 20 years. Today the AP Stylebook is updated annually (usually in June). On September 28, 2009 the Associated Press released the first mobile edition of the Stylebook for the iPhone—the AP Stylebook app. In 2013, Associated Press publisher's celebrated the book's 60th anniversary (edition numbers are no longer used). The first Basic Books edition was published in August 1977. Modern editions are released in several formats, including trade paperback, flat-lying spiral-bound, an online subscription and an iOS mobile app.
Writers in broadcasting, magazine publishing, marketing departments and public relations firms traditionally adopt and apply AP grammar and punctuation styles. Over the last 50 years, the AP Stylebook has become a leading style for non-journalistic publishers such as corporate marketing and public relations departments. Its simplified grammar, such as dropping the Oxford comma and using figures for all numbers above nine, saves scarce print and web space.
The stylebook is organized into sections:
A reference section for reporters covering business and financial news including general knowledge of accounting, bankruptcy, mergers and international bureaus. For instance, it includes explanations of five different chapters of bankruptcy.
Includes terminology, statistics, organization rules and guidelines commonly referenced by sports reporters. Example: The correct way to spell and use basketball terminology e.g. half-court pass, field goal and goaltending.
A specific guide on how to use punctuation in journalistic materials, this section includes rules regarding hyphens, commas, parentheses and quotations. Example: In a series use commas to separate items but no comma before a conjunction e.g. We bought eggs, milk and cheese at the store.
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