The american psychological association apa style guide helps writers maintain a uniform way of writing and in particular, writing numbers. The sixth edition of the apa style guide states that figures should be used to represent numbers 10 and above e. Its often used by news organizations, magazines, and web publications, but brands often use it to form the basis of their own style guides, too. But like most grammar dogma, there is always those special cases. This is the style guide that professional media use. The underten or singledigit rule will suffice in most cases.
The 2019 edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law includes more than 200 new or revised entries, with chapters covering data journalism, business, fashion, food, religion and sports terms, as well as media law, news values, punctuation, social media, polls and surveys and a new chapter on health and science. The associated press, a guide for foreign correspondents. Fake ap stylebook steers you completely wrong with style. How to write numbers under apa guidelines pen and the pad. If the information was spread over several pages, include all of them. Ap style cheat sheet for wjeas writeoff contests and beyond student journalists should have at least these two sources available to answer basic style questions. The 5yard line, the 10 yard line, a 5yard pass play, he plunged in from the 2, he ran 6 yards, a 7yard gain. When you group two numbers for comparison and one of those numbers is below 10 and the other is 10 or above, use arabic numerals. Rules for writing numbers the blue book of grammar and. Other changes include guidelines on the terms race and racism and more, which you can read about here. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Nov 06, 2015 in the past we discussed how to correctly use ap style title case, and now were here to tackle the often confused topic of ap style numbers.
For a general rule, spell out zero through nine, and use numerals for 10 and above. Always use figures for people, animals and objects. For slide presentations of ap style basics, go here. There are only a handful of rules for writing numbers that virtually everyone agrees on. Jul, 2019 the more you use the book, the more youll start to memorize certain points of ap style. Capitalize chapter when used with a numeral in reference to a section of a book or legal code. On the other hand, dont get cocky and toss out your ap stylebook once youve memorized the basics. In the past we discussed how to correctly use ap style title case, and now were here to tackle the often confused topic of ap style numbers. Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. However, ap s rules for telling time are very specific. How to format numbers in associated press style pen and. Crucial to accurately using ap style on measurements is appropriate use of numbers, as most units of measurement are attached to a numeral.
The term is acceptable on first reference, but should be explained later in the story. The rules for writing numbers call for spelling out numbers under ten characters and numbers at the beginning of a sentence. Generally speaking, we follow the guidelines outlined in the ap stylebook. A picture is worth a thousand words, but a really good one is worth a thousand dollars. May 25, 2006 for international numbers use 011 from the united states, the country code, the city code and the telephone number. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. Figures are also used to group numbers above and below 10 together for comparison e. Whether youre in journalism, communications, publishing or public relations, ensure your writing is accurate and consistent by following the standards set out by canadas trusted news leader. Spell out numbers only to ten, use numbers for 11 and up, and dont be concerned about matching style when you refer to quantities on both sides of the tipping point. I actually like the ap style better with writing out one through nine and ten on, writing it as 10, 11, 12, etc. The more you use the book, the more youll start to memorize certain points of ap style. Jul 21, 2015 in chicago style, as opposed to ap style, we would write four hundred, eight thousand, and twenty million with no numeralsbut like ap, chicago style would require numerals for 401. There is an important exception to this rule though. The 10 lords aleaping, 2011s quota for offseason holiday references has been.
Ap uses the numeral for acres, even when less than 10, as a dimension. For example, 8 out of 10 teachers recommend summer reading lists, is the correct way to write this statement. Jun 25, 2018 when writing about money in apa style, clarity and precision are key. Apa style, on the other hand, generally uses words for numbers below 10 and numerals for numbers 10 and above. The associated press stylebook prefers the ambiguous word figure to refer to. Numbers in series and statistics should be consistent. The associated press stylebook ap style offers two recommendations based on number value. In denoting area, which is correct for numbers under 10 5 acres or five acres. The following rules agree with the gregg reference manual, microsoft manual of style for technical publications, and the associated press ap stylebook. Jun 26, 2014 apa style, on the other hand, generally uses words for numbers below 10 and numerals for numbers 10 and above. If no usage is specified, spell out numbers below 10 and use figures for. The 5yard line, the 10 yard line, a 5yard pass play, he plunged in from the 2, he ran 6. If you have a question what book that is laying around the news lab should you use to find answers to ap style questions. The 2019 ap stylebook has more than 200 new and modified entries, according to the ap.
The chicago manual of style differentiates numerals from words as well. Shorthand for the formal title of the health care overhaul that former president barack obama signed into law in 2010. In these cases, always use the type of numbering used by the source. Aug 12, 2015 covering the ap style rules on numbers could be a novel in itself. The first publicly available edition of ap stylebook was published in 1953 under the title the associated press style book. The chicago manual of style online is the venerable, timetested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. Associated press style quick reference guide to subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the book, start here. To subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the book, start here.
For cardinal numbers, consult individual entries in the associated press stylebook. Most people who are familiar with ap style know the common rules such as which months are abbreviated, how datelines are used and when to spell out numbers. Apr 17, 2020 writing numbers correctly in ap style includes a few basic rules that should get you through most situations. Refer to the dictionary or ap stylebook, if needed. Apa style indicates that authors should write out sums in numeral form when the paper requires a. The associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style guide of the associated press, a notforprofit news agency thats been around since 1846. Consider the following examples of ap style numbers, the chicago white sox finished second. Ap style guidelines for hyphen usage gatehouse newsroom.
The first edition of the book was 203 pages, which has since evolved into a book that is more than 1,000 pages. Newspaper style and less formal writing and much of online content hews closer to ap style, which derived from the rules for associated press newspaper articles. Use figures for time of day except for noon and midnight. The topic of when to write numbers out and when to use numerals concerns and confounds a lot of people. Americas two most influential style and usage guides have different approaches. Jan 30, 2007 when starting a sentence with a number. Also in all tabular matter, and in statistical and sequential forms. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. Apa style indicates that authors should write out sums in numeral form when the paper requires a precise sum. If i am discussing a story collection that uses line numbers, should the page numbers or the line numbers be cited. Ap stylebook numerals in general, spell out one through nine. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used in answers. Jan 02, 2018 ap style seems to allow for multiple spacesaving adaptations for headlineslike using numerals in headlines, but spelling out numbers under 10 in the body of the text. The associated press stylebook recommends spelling out the numbers zero through nine and using numerals thereafteruntil one million is reached.
Like many proper news organizations, we at use the venerable associated press stylebook as an arbiter to determine whether we write one or 1 or whether its calif. Writing and editing style guides the canadian press. Here are a few answers to common style issues, based on the ap stylebook. Use figures for 10 or above and whenever preceding a unit of measure or referring to ages of people, animals, events or things. In general, spell out numbers one through nine, and use figures for. For large numbers that must be spelled out, use a hyphen to connect a word ending in y to another word. Q why has ap changed its style on phone numbers to use a hyphen instead of parentheses. They sponsor numerous educational activities, primarily radio and television programs. Here are four examples of how to write numbers above 999,999 in ap style. If extension numbers are needed, use a comma to separate the main number from the extension. The minister is an evangelist, addressed by members as brother. Spell out numbers less than 10 standing alone and in modifiers. A style guide for the 2020 elections, based on the ap stylebook and common usage in ap stories.
In general, you should spell out all numbers one through nine and use figures only for numbers 10 and above. For example, if you found a quote on page 10 of a book, cite page 10. Im going to cover some basics, and if you have specific questions on ap style numbers, please leave it in the comment field below and ill answer it fast. Apa style 6th ed title page and running head new version in description duration. How to format numbers in associated press style pen and the pad. In general you should spell out numbers one through nine in ap style. Italicized words are still iffy for wire transmission ap stories, so book titles are enclosed in quote marks. However, the mla handbook further notes that science writers frequently use numerals for various kinds of data, such as units of measurement and statistical expressions, regardless of size. Aug 01, 2018 the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style guide of the associated press, a notforprofit news agency thats been around since 1846. Ap style book recommends spelling out numbers through ten. Ap style guidelines for hyphen usage john crouch 20170817. I dont know if this will help, but for chapter style, ap says. Published 21 january 2020 ask the mla books notes numbers writing tips.
Here is a quick overview of the rules for writing numbers. Associated press ap style is most often used by news and journalism writers to present consistent and clear writing to the consumer. Before 2014, ap writers followed the style you learned at your local paper. The ap stylebook is a writing style guide used when writing for news media outlets. When writing about money in apa style, clarity and precision are key. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook. Eventually, you wont have to refer to the stylebook nearly as much. Pr pro shares five ap style mistakes that drive her and your media contacts crazy. Covering the ap style rules on numbers could be a novel in itself.
The associated press, the ap copy book, and ap writing handbook. It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. When following ap style, numbers zero through nine are typically written in word form, while numbers 10 and above are written as cardinal numbers. Some ordinal numbers, such as those indicating political or geographic order, should use figures in all cases. You should use figures for 10 or above and whenever preceding a unit of measure or referring to ages of people, animals, events or things. Various magazines generally use one style or the other, but web sites tend toward ap style. Line numbers, if provided, are most helpful to readers for citations of commonly studied poems and verse plays, since. It covers much more than the ap stylebook, which generally covers only common words and their usage. However, the mla handbook further notes that science writers frequently use numerals for various kinds of data, such as units of measurement.
Sometimes, page numbers might have letters like b1 or use roman numerals like iv or xi. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. But in 2014, the ap stylebook changed to say you can write it either waythat both are acceptable in all uses to indicate a greater or lesser. By the way, ap style has a similar rule for abbreviating united kingdom.
The basic ap style rule on numbers is that numerals less than 10 are spelled out, while 10 and greater are represented numerically. Each local church is autonomous and operates under a governing board of elders. Ap style seems to allow for multiple spacesaving adaptations for headlineslike using numerals in headlines, but spelling out numbers under 10 in the body of the text. See also ap style times, ap style time sequences, and is noon am or pm.