As a journalist, it is crucial to adhere to the rules and guidelines set by the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook. One important aspect of AP style is the use of abbreviations. Abbreviations help save space, provide clarity, and maintain consistency in news writing. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the most commonly used AP-style abbreviations that every journalist should be familiar with.
1. Months and Days of the Week
When writing dates, the AP style requires using abbreviations for months and days of the week. For example, January becomes Jan., February becomes Feb., and so on. Similarly, Sunday becomes Sun., Monday becomes Mon., and so forth. It’s important to note that the abbreviations for months are always three letters long, while the abbreviations for days of the week are three or four letters long.
2. States and Territories
AP style provides specific abbreviations for all 50 states and U.S. territories. These abbreviations are used in conjunction with city names to provide a concise and standardized format. For instance, New York is abbreviated as N.Y., California as Calif., and Florida as Fla. When referring to U.S. territories, use abbreviations like P.R. for Puerto Rico and V.I. for U.S. Virgin Islands.
3. Academic Degrees
When mentioning academic degrees in an article, it is customary to use abbreviations to save space. Some commonly used abbreviations include B.A. for Bachelor of Arts, M.S. for Master of Science, and Ph.D. for Doctor of Philosophy. However, it’s important to remember that AP style suggests avoiding the use of periods in two-letter degree abbreviations such as BA, MA, and PhD.
4. Organizations and Institutions
Abbreviations are commonly used for organizations, institutions, and government bodies. For example, the United Nations is abbreviated as U.N., the European Union as the EU, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation as FBI. It’s crucial to use the correct and widely recognized abbreviations for such entities to ensure clarity and consistency in news writing.
5. Measurements and Units
AP style provides specific abbreviations for various measurements and units. For instance, inches is abbreviated as in., feet as ft., and pounds as lbs. Similarly, the metric system has its own set of abbreviations, such as centimeters as cm, kilograms as kg, and liters as L. It’s important to use these standardized abbreviations to maintain consistency throughout the article.
6. Titles and Occupations
When referring to titles and occupations, the AP style recommends using abbreviations to save space and provide a concise representation. For example, Doctor is abbreviated as Dr., Professor as Prof., and President as Pres. Additionally, titles like Mr., Mrs., and Ms. are commonly used abbreviations for addressing individuals.
7. Time Zones
To indicate time zones, the AP style suggests using the standard three-letter abbreviations. For example, Eastern Standard Time becomes EST, Central Standard Time becomes CST, and Pacific Standard Time becomes PST. These abbreviations help readers quickly identify the time zone being referred to in an article.
8. Business and Financial Terms
In business and financial writing, abbreviations are frequently used to save space and provide a clear understanding of complex terms. Some common abbreviations in this domain include CEO for Chief Executive Officer, GDP for Gross Domestic Product, and IPO for Initial Public Offering. It’s essential to use these abbreviations accurately and consistently to avoid confusion.
9. Government Agencies
When mentioning government agencies in an article, it’s advisable to use their official abbreviations. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration is abbreviated as FAA, the Central Intelligence Agency as CIA, and the Environmental Protection Agency as EPA. These abbreviations help streamline the writing process and provide a standardized format.
10. Miscellaneous Abbreviations
AP style also includes various miscellaneous abbreviations that are commonly used in news writing. Some examples include et al. for et alia (and others), e.g. for exempli gratia (for example), and i.e. for id est (that is). These abbreviations help convey specific meanings and should be used correctly to ensure clarity in journalistic writing.
Key Takeaways
- AP style abbreviations are crucial for journalists to ensure consistency and clarity in news writing.
- Common abbreviations include months, days of the week, states, academic degrees, organizations, measurements, titles, time zones, business terms, government agencies, and miscellaneous terms.
- It’s important to use the correct and widely recognized abbreviations for accuracy and professionalism.
- Refer to the AP Stylebook for any specific abbreviations not covered in this guide and stay updated with any changes or additions to AP style.
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