Associated Press Stylebook: The PR industry’s go-to guide
The Associated Press Stylebook is widely used as a writing and editing reference for the PR and news industries. It dictates everything from acceptable word use and jargon, to grammar, spelling and punctuation. While the intent of the AP Stylebook is to ensure news writing style is uniform across outlets, its guidelines can be helpful for anyone who wants his or her writing to be concise and objective.
As public relations professionals, we generally defer to AP Style for all our written work. We stress the importance of following its guidelines for press materials in particular because we know the media appreciates it.
If you’re new to the style, it may feel a bit odd in some instances. AP Style can run contrary to standard business practice. For example, most titles are not capitalized, and courtesy titles are not used. Last names rather than first are used on second and subsequent references. How numbers are written varies by use. Parentheses aren’t used for acronyms, and acronyms are not used on first reference.
But once you get used to writing this way, you’re likely to increase the chances of getting your work published. When you have all the AP Style items correct, you make it easier for journalists to copy and paste, rather than spend what limited time they have editing your story.
Is it time you brushed up on this tried-and-true writing manual? Let me share a few rules to freshen your memory. Whether you’re new to AP Style or seasoned, I hope you find this list insightful.
They say culture stems from the top, and that is so true here at Sabo PR. I would be remiss not to acknowledge that while everything is a team effort at SPR, Mary Ann has brought us together and been an exemplary “ringmaster.”
I know much of what I admire about our culture is the work of Mary Ann and her compassionate leadership. She goes above and beyond in her role to keep us connected with one another and maintain a supportive work environment. She is without a doubt the hardest-working person I know – and I’m confident my colleagues would say the same.
A common theme in my first blog post for Sabo PR was how intimidating joining a new team can be, but the culture here at Sabo PR is anything but that. Sabo PR helped me feel welcomed and supported my first week. Today, I feel just as supported and I am forever grateful for the team we have.
