The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law

Within each section, entries are alphabetized, and searching for an answer is a fairly simple process. Tricky words--those that can be hyphenated (know-how) or not (jukebox), homonyms, nonstandard spellings (mo-ped)--are given their own short entries. Larger categories, such as religions, military titles, the Internet, and datelines, have multiple pages devoted to their explanations, but detail and clarity are brought nicely together in each listing. Many entries concern brand names and trademarks--never again will you question whetherpingpong or Ping-Pong should be used in the flier for your table-tennis tournament.

While a few sections of this book--the ones concerning media law, photo captions, filing the wire, and proofreading marks--will most likely be used by professional and student journalists and editors, the majority of this book is an excellent tool for anyone who ever has to write for the public. Whether it's a newsletter for your badminton league, a training manual for your employees, or a press release detailing your company's quarterly earnings, this stylebook will help you turn out well-written copy that gains the approval of every English teacher you've ever had. --Jill Lightner

Product Description
The revised edition of the Bible of the newspaper industry.

More people write for The Associated Press than for any newspaper in the world, and writers--nearly two million of them--have bought more copies of The AP Stylebook than of any other journalism reference. It provides facts and references for reporters, and defines usage, spelling, and grammar for editors. There are separate sections for journalists specializing in sports and business, and complete guidelines for how to write photo captions, file copy over the wire, proofread text, handle copyrights, and avoid libel. This edition of The AP Stylebook keeps pace with world events, common usage, and AP procedures.

In addition to common style questions like the ones above, the stylebook contains a wealth of common information. What is a mach number? How does one calculate heat indexes and wind chill factors? And other pieces of commonly needed information are interspersed throughout the text.

This edition also includes specific guides for business and sports terminology, as well as an Internet guide.

While less useful to those not members of the media, this text also includes a briefing on media law. Some sections, such as the right to individual privacy, might appeal to the general public.

The AP Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law is an essential addition to any reference collection.


Update on basically the same old AP stuff   January 15, 2003
Tanja Marie Hester (Arlington, VA USA)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

This book is essentially indispensible for so many of us, and so it's never really a question of how good the latest edition might be. That said, I still think AP is behind on the entire field of technology and the Internet. I always find myself referring to the Wired Style book for usage questions for documents referring to Web sites and strategy. There are also some areas in which AP is not backing down: they insist on sticking with "e-mail," for example, when most of us have gone to "email." They also insist that we keep capitalizing "Web" when it's so common now, that the distinction is arguably not needed.

Overall, the bulk of the book is fine -- exactly what you expect from AP. But the very thin Internet section is in need of a major reexamination so that we can all stop flipping between AP and the Wired book. Considering how much of our information today is online, you would think AP would place a higher priority on staying complete with their online usage rules.


Must-have for journalists, great for everyone   April 8, 2004
Sara Swihart (Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA)
8 out of 14 found this review helpful

I'm a journalism minor and this book is a must-have. However, after looking though the book and using it several times, it would be great for anyone who does any kind of writing. It tells you how to spell works, how they should be capitalized, and other things like that.

For journalists: it helps put things into the format that your newspaper editor or broadcast producer wants. It also keeps your stories in line with the AP's guidelines. It is a great tool to have on your desk, just in case you aren't sure. The entries are in alphabetical order, so what you're looking for will be easy to find.


Benefits more than journalists   September 4, 2007
M. Fayard (Sacramento, CA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

The title of this book might lead you to think this is just another grammar book--and one with only print journalists in mind. Not so! If you are looking for a guide that will ensure consistency in all of your corporate literature, I highly recommend this book and its companion "Bible," Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition. Never again will you have to wonder whether to add a hyphen, capitalize a word or use an abbreviation. To me one of the main reasons why documents can look unprofessional is because writers don't apply consistency in style throughout corporate literature or even throughout the same piece. This book is the ultimate foundation for consistency, clarity and professionalism. And from here you can add your own "house styles," guidelines that are unique to your profession or business. The return on investment on this book is tremendous.


Finally!   October 24, 2007
Michelle Mckenzie (Grass Valley, CA USA)
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

Finally I can point to the authority and say,"Look, don't use the word HOPEFULLY to mean 'it is hoped, or let us hope.'" It is an adverb, not to be used to modify a sentence, only to modify a verb. Use it to mean 'in a hopeful manner.' Yes, the other use has been documented since the 30s, but that doesn't make it right.

Stepping off the soap box now. Thanks AP!