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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 30/09/2026

Capitalize Coach when the word substitutes for a name: Thanks, Coach. Lowercase it in a job description: the Giants coach. apnews.com/article/viki...

https://apnews.com/article/vikings-giants-jj-mccarthy-trade-4d777707abc72fa93ae13abf6a331836

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 29/09/2026

Use the article “an” before vowel sounds: an energy crisis, an honorable man (the h is silent), an NBA record (sounds like it begins with the letter e. apnews.com/article/7338...

https://apnews.com/article/7338203cb55377ef867776a367a1a03d

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 29/09/2026

On Sept. 28, 1928, Alexander Fleming made a historic discovery: penicillin. Use the article “a” before consonant sounds: a historic event, a one-year term (sounds as if it begins with a w), a united stand (sounds like you).

https://apnews.com/article/7338203cb55377ef867776a367a1a03d

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 29/09/2026

If you aren't part of this informative course yet, you can still register. You'll have access to all the class resources, including recordings of all the webinars, until the end of January. store.stylebooks.com/pitching-and...

Refine Your PR Pitch with the AP

A THREE-WEEK ONLINE COURSE ON TUESDAYS, SEPT. 15-29, 2-3 P.M. EDT Brush up on your AP style skills as you refine how to pitch to journalists in this new course from AP Learning. Join live sessions to…

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 28/09/2026

Use the % sign with a numeral in most cases: 61% of voters, a 5.5% tariff. Spell out percentage when no number is given: The percentage of voters citing gas prices has increased. apnews.com/article/d2f5...

https://apnews.com/article/d2f5d5aa7ecc1f6d55d8f5759db03150

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 25/09/2026

Spotting is when strong winds carry embers ahead of the main perimeter of the fire and smaller spot fires are ignited. Check AP's Wildfire Tracker to keep up on the status of fires: apnews.com/wildfire-tra...

https://apnews.com/wildfire-tracker

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 25/09/2026

Crowning occurs when wildfire flames advance from treetop to treetop more or less independent of the fire burning on the ground. Torching is the burning of the foliage of a single tree or a small group of trees, from the bottom up.

https://apnews.com/wildfire-tracker

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 24/09/2026

Put quotation marks around the titles of television programs. The interview appeared on “60 Minutes.” Note, too, the possessive: CBS’ “60 Minutes,” with only an apostrophe after CBS. In headlines, that’s single quote marks, so ’60 Minutes’ rather than “60 Minutes.” apnews.com/article/15c4...

https://apnews.com/article/15c433d25fbb311918e801ef790dcc51

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 24/09/2026

Yes, the AP Stylebook covers punctuation, capitalization and numerals. But there’s so, so much more to AP style. Join the AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content course to learn how Stylebook guidance can help you tell a clearer, more compelling story.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 23/09/2026

This is called anthropomorphizing, when we ascribe human traits, emotions or behaviors to non-human things, such as animals or inanimate objects. Instead, explain what a system does, how well it performs, who built it and who could be affected by it. apnews.com/article/open...

https://apnews.com/article/openai-safety-ai-framework-089e75b95bc935af092da7b79d92706d

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 23/09/2026

Artificial intelligence systems do not think, feel, want or understand. Avoid language that gives them human characteristics.

https://apnews.com/article/openai-safety-ai-framework-089e75b95bc935af092da7b79d92706d

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 22/09/2026

The AP Stylebook team discusses and debates AP style changes all year. One of the many ways possible additions or changes make their way to the list for consideration is your suggestions. We value ideas from our users, so add your input here apstylebook.com/suggestions

apstylebook.com

AP Stylebook Suggestions

What changes would you like to see in AP style? Stylebook editors will consider all submissions and they might use your suggestions.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 22/09/2026

Fall is here and Halloween decorations are already popping up everywhere. If you're eager to get spooky season started, watch out for the punctuation as you carve your jack-o'-lantern.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 21/09/2026

Generally use the name a person prefers: Thomas or Tom, depending on preference; Martine McCarthy Chang may prefer McCarthy Chang or Chang on second reference.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 21/09/2026

In general, use only last names on second reference. When it is necessary to distinguish between two people who use the same last name, generally use the first and last name on subsequent references.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 18/09/2026

Use the abbreviation "No." for number in conjunction with a figure to indicate position or rank: No. 1 pick, No. 3 choice. Do not use with street addresses, with this exception: No. 10 Downing St., the residence of Britain's prime minister. apnews.com/article/azzi...

https://apnews.com/article/azzi-fudd-wings-knee-surgery-a644dbc230d6618603ee9507bfd913b4

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 17/09/2026

Electoral systems that allow voters to cast ballots before the day of an election are broadly known as advance voting. Each state has its own procedures for advance voting, which may include voting by mail, voting absentee or voting in person before Election Day. apnews.com/article/trum...

https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-justice-mail-voting-7a937a7b4a37214d40a7a9aa4c2b5ce2

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 17/09/2026

It's not too late to join us for our new course, Refine Your PR Pitch with the AP. Our Week 2 live session is coming up Tuesday afternoon, with timely insights into the state of public relations.

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 16/09/2026

The apostrophe goes in front of a decade, not between the numbers and the S. It stands in for the additional two digits, so 1970s becomes '70s. apnews.com/article/bob-...

https://apnews.com/article/bob-mackie-dies-fashion-designer-b2e50b957a55462995e76290a3920e1b

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 16/09/2026

We offer a wide range of products to help you write and edit consistently. But we haven't forgotten the one that started it all. store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook...

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 15/09/2026

Both High Holidays and High Holy Days are acceptable to refer to the period of the Jewish calendar that includes Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 15/09/2026

You still have time to join us for Week 1, but if you're booked up today, no problem. Sign up and you'll have access to the online classroom through January so you can watch a replay at your convenience.

Refine Your PR Pitch with the AP

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 15/09/2026

We kick off Refine Your PR Pitch with the AP today at 2 p.m. EDT, with an overview of the most important AP style guidance for public relations pros.

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 14/09/2026

Do not add an apostrophe to a word ending in s when it is used primarily in a descriptive sense: citizens band radio, a Cincinnati Reds infielder, a Teamsters request, a writers guide.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 14/09/2026

The AP style you learned in college might help you some of the time, but if you want guidance that's keeping up with changing language, you need our up-to-date searchable content. store.stylebooks.com/apstylebooko...

AP Stylebook Online is a searchable, customizable guide for writers and editors that is updated throughout the year. Your subscription includes the popular Ask the Editor feature, where you can ask…

AP Stylebook Online

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 14/09/2026

Subscribe to AP Stylebook Online to keep up with additions and changes to AP style guidance. You can get emails when we make style changes, and you can check new entries and recent changes from your subscriber dashboard.

AP Stylebook Online

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 11/09/2026

Daycare and childcare are both now one word, no hyphen. We made those changes this spring when we updated health care to healthcare. apnews.com/article/chil...

https://apnews.com/article/childcare-assistance-daycare-cost-waitlist-2ceccc0e30baf7187857c968e631ba77

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 10/09/2026

The first live session is next week. See you there!

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 10/09/2026

Public relations pros, join us for a new three-week course covering: * The AP style rules you need to know to write releases in the language journalists use * Updates on the state of the PR industry from pros who are paying attention * Feedback from working journalists on what they want from you

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 10/09/2026

For the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, 9/11 is acceptable in all references. (Note the comma to set off the year when the phrase refers to a month, date and year.)

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Go back to the basics and refresh your knowledge of AP style in Week 1 of our new course, Refine Your PR Pitch with the AP. We'll go over the AP style guidance you're most likely to need in your pitches, and Stylebook Editor Anna Jo Bratton will be there to answer your vexing style questions.

Refine Your PR Pitch with the AP

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It's back-to-school as a compound modifier, but no hyphens in back to school on its own. For example, he bought back-to-school supplies, and she went back to school.

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AP Stylebook Workshop returns in October. You might still be wearing shorts and sandals but let's start learning together. store.stylebooks.com

The AP Stylebook 2 print edition, web-based access and style-checking software.

store.apstylebook.com

We know it's officially still summer, but once we're past Labor Day, you're feeling that fall vibe, right? Join us for Refine Your PR Pitch with the AP, a new course that kicks off next week. AP Writing Workshop: Storytelling for Any Platform starts this week.

The AP Stylebook 2 print edition, web-based access and style-checking software.

store.apstylebook.com

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 08/09/2026

The Stylebook's guidance on compound modifiers says in part: Some two-word terms, particularly those used as nouns, have evolved to be commonly recognized as, in effect, one word. No hyphen is needed when such terms are used as modifiers if the meaning is clear and unambiguous without the hyphen.

MAC appeals Michigan-Western Michigan result, asks NCAA and CFP to recognize Broncos as winner

The Mid-American Conference wants Western Michigan recognized as the winner over Michigan after a controversial call.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 08/09/2026

Our primary dictionary, Merriam-Webster, shows Hail Mary pass with Hail Mary capitalized, like the Roman Catholic prayer, and no hyphen.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 07/09/2026

We now style antisemitism and antisemitic as one word, no hyphen, all lowercase. This is a change from the previous style (anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic). apnews.com/article/met-...

Amid backlash, museum cancels planned Met Gala exhibit on fashion designer John Galliano

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is canceling its planned exhibit honoring British designer John Galliano.

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 04/09/2026

It goes on to say that while deferring to AP ranking, stories should later make note of where a team stands in the College Football Playoff rankings, which is used for playoff and bowl placement. apnews.com/hub/ap-top-2...

The official page for the AP Top 25 college football poll, a tradition since 1936. View the latest ranking updates each week, and vote in our fan poll.

AP Top 25 Poll

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 04/09/2026

The Stylebook's guidance says the AP Top 25 ranking should be used in headlines and at the top of stories, and can be used without distinction: No. 1 Ohio State, top-ranked Ohio State.

The official page for the AP Top 25 college football poll, a tradition since 1936. View the latest ranking updates each week, and vote in our fan poll.

AP Top 25 Poll

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AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 03/09/2026

The print AP Stylebook includes about 3,700 entries. We have almost 900 more entries that only appear on AP Stylebook Online. In addition, the Stylebook Online Ask the Editor archives include nearly 40,000 questions our editors have answered.

AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 03/09/2026

AP Stylebook Online

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Question from New York, New York, on July 29, 2024 Should the names of fictional characters portrayed by actors be surrounded by quotation marks? Answer No. Truvy Jones, portrayed by Dolly Parton.