Now that I’ve posted my writing tips, I thought I’d cover that important facet, the bane of the newspaper writer’s existence, that thing that copy editors have nightmares about. What I’m talking about, of course, is AP style. Of course, I can’t cover everything in a blog entry (that’s what the stylebook‘s for, silly), but after a semester as a copy editor, I can fill you in on some of the most basic mistakes.
Dates You don’t need to put in the day of the week and the date. Choose one or the other. I usually would put in the day of the week if it’s in the next three days, otherwise put the month. If you’re writing for the web, just stick with the date. Also, you don’t need to spell out the month unless it’s standing alone.
His birthday is Sept. 22.
His birthday is in September.
it’s/its This one’s an easy mistake to make. Just remember, you don’t need an apostrophe unless you’re contracting “it is”
It’s a shame we don’t know its name
Less/Fewer If you can count the thing, use fewer. If you can’t, use less.
I have less flour than you.
I have fewer flowers than you.
That Try not to use it. You can tighten up your writing a lot by just deleting it whenever possible.
Web site This is how you refer to a link on the Internet. Also, capitalize Internet.
Years You don’t need an apostrophe when referring to an era.
Yeah, it’s like she’s still in the 1960s
States This is one you need to check EVERY time you’re not sure. AP state abbreviations are not the same as the Post Office’s, so double check to make sure you’ve got it right.
Times Use a.m. and p.m. after numbers except for noon and midnight. You don’t need to write out the minutes if the time is on the hour.
They played our song at midnight.
They played our song at 12:10 a.m.
They played our song at 1 a.m.
Quotes Whenever you quote someone, you always format it “________ said.” Never use “said ___________,” “___________ stuttered,” “_________ rapped,” etc. Also, for the most part, punctuation goes within the quote marks. The exception is the question mark, but only when the article is asking the question and not the speaker. In that case, it’s usually better to reword it anyway.
“My Chemical Romance is not emo,” frontman Gerard Way said.
Did David really say “You are the most depressing person I’ve ever met”?
I know I’ve missed lots, but these are the ones that I remember seeing a lot. If you can think of more, comment, and I’ll see if I can eventually do another blog on this. Please forgive any mistakes I’ve made. I seem to only find motivation to blog when I’m dead tired and should be sleeping instead.
