Blog: Jeneca Jones

If you’re writing press releases, social media releases or sending story ideas to local media, you should be using AP style. AP what, you ask? The Associated Press (“AP”) is THE global news network. On any given day, more than half the world’s population sees news from the AP. Founded in 1846, it’s one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering (according to the Associated Press).

It’s also the place a journalist turns to when he or she needs to know whether to use make up (v.) or makeup (n.) or to find out if whistle-blower is one word, two words or hyphenated (it’s hyphenated – every journalist wishes they could be so lucky to look this one up).

Yes, these little details are the kinds of things that keep journalists up at night, wondering if they got it right hours after they’ve filed a story with the editor.

And when in doubt, go to the Associated Press Stylebook Online to ensure (not insure) your press release would pass the AP test.

The AP website (yes, website is one word and lowercased now – that change happened in 2010) is an excellent tool for anyone working in the public relations field. It’s easy to use, the membership fee is reasonable, and they’ll even send updates straight to your inbox.

You might be surprised how often AP style changes. Today, we were notified that three very common words have changed: cellphone (one word), email (no hyphen) and smartphone (one word).

So do your journalist friends a favor, and stay up to date. Toss out that fossilized AP Stylebook from college and get to know the online stylebook. It’s a tool you can use every day (not everyday).