Why AP-Style Matters In PR
May 25, 2018
“She’s got style. She’s got grace. She’s a winner.” – Tom Jones
“You are a great writer.” Many public relations (PR) professionals have been told this, often from an early age. However, your elegant writing, distinctive voice and ability to shape a story like no other are not enough. While personal flair in prose might work in creative writing, it could be your downfall in the PR world.
Success is the reason we abide by AP-Style. The “Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law,” usually referred to as just “AP-Style” or “AP Stylebook,” is the gold standard for print journalism. It is also used by the overwhelming majority of newspapers in the U.S. Journalism students are drilled on its rules and guidelines from day one. According to its website, the AP Stylebook is the “definitive resource for journalists.” Updated annually, the Stylebook aims to promote uniformity for ease of reading and a common understanding.
Why isn’t writing something that’s just good enough “as-is”? There are many reasons why AP-Style is important, but in PR there is one reason that matters the most: respect.
Using AP-Style is a good indication you know what you’re doing. This might sound silly, because – of course – you already know what you’re doing! The crux of the matter is – it all comes down to credibility and convenience.
When pitching a reporter with a press release or bylined article, you want your readers to believe what you have written. You want to garner their respect and to be seen as a credible source in your industry. Seemingly insignificant mistakes such as where the hyphen goes or knowing which word deserves a capitalized letter can make you appear out of touch, or at least sloppy. Failure to use AP-Style is pretty much admitting that you’re a hack – and you’re not a hack, are you? Using the writing style that is the staple of journalism signals to an editor that you have at least some credibility and that they won’t need to spend hours re-writing your work.
This brings us to convenience. Submitting press releases in press-ready, AP-Style format means outlets are less likely to edit your work. They’re more likely to publish an article that is ready for print. If your news is interesting, but not within AP-Style you may not see their edits before the article is published. Even worse, they may not publish it at all.
There’s also the old Oxford Comma debate, which can be a major point of contention among the grammar police. Luckily, the AP Stylebook has issued forth this helpful hint: “If omitting a comma could lead to confusion or misinterpretation, then use the comma.”
Think you’re up to snuff on AP-Style? The 2018 AP Stylebook launches May 30 and a few 2018 changes have already been announced. Take the short quiz below to see if you pass with flying colors – or need a brief refresher.
Your phone is a smartphone, but what about your watch and car?
smart watch or smartwatch
smart car or smartcar
Uppercase or lowercase?
The Royal Couple had a beautiful Royal Wedding.
The royal couple had a beautiful royal wedding.
With or without the hyphen?
3D
3-D
It is okay to use AR on the second reference for augmented reality.
True
False
Where do the period and comma belong in a quote?
They always belong outside of the quotation marks.
They always belong within the quotation marks.
They belong inside when applied to the quoted matter and outside when they apply to the whole sentence.
How’d you score? Are you an AP-Style expert or is it time to brush up with the new 2018 AP-Style Guidebook? Let us know your favorite – or least favorite – AP-Style rules in the comments on the MGP Facebook page.
Mindy M. Hull
CEO
Why AP-Style Matters In PR
May 25, 2018
“She’s got style. She’s got grace. She’s a winner.” – Tom Jones
“You are a great writer.” Many public relations (PR) professionals have been told this, often from an early age. However, your elegant writing, distinctive voice and ability to shape a story like no other are not enough. While personal flair in prose might work in creative writing, it could be your downfall in the PR world.
Success is the reason we abide by AP-Style. The “Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law,” usually referred to as just “AP-Style” or “AP Stylebook,” is the gold standard for print journalism. It is also used by the overwhelming majority of newspapers in the U.S. Journalism students are drilled on its rules and guidelines from day one. According to its website, the AP Stylebook is the “definitive resource for journalists.” Updated annually, the Stylebook aims to promote uniformity for ease of reading and a common understanding.
Why isn’t writing something that’s just good enough “as-is”? There are many reasons why AP-Style is important, but in PR there is one reason that matters the most: respect.
Using AP-Style is a good indication you know what you’re doing. This might sound silly, because – of course – you already know what you’re doing! The crux of the matter is – it all comes down to credibility and convenience.
When pitching a reporter with a press release or bylined article, you want your readers to believe what you have written. You want to garner their respect and to be seen as a credible source in your industry. Seemingly insignificant mistakes such as where the hyphen goes or knowing which word deserves a capitalized letter can make you appear out of touch, or at least sloppy. Failure to use AP-Style is pretty much admitting that you’re a hack – and you’re not a hack, are you? Using the writing style that is the staple of journalism signals to an editor that you have at least some credibility and that they won’t need to spend hours re-writing your work.
This brings us to convenience. Submitting press releases in press-ready, AP-Style format means outlets are less likely to edit your work. They’re more likely to publish an article that is ready for print. If your news is interesting, but not within AP-Style you may not see their edits before the article is published. Even worse, they may not publish it at all.
There’s also the old Oxford Comma debate, which can be a major point of contention among the grammar police. Luckily, the AP Stylebook has issued forth this helpful hint: “If omitting a comma could lead to confusion or misinterpretation, then use the comma.”
Think you’re up to snuff on AP-Style? The 2018 AP Stylebook launches May 30 and a few 2018 changes have already been announced. Take the short quiz below to see if you pass with flying colors – or need a brief refresher.
Your phone is a smartphone, but what about your watch and car?
smart watch or smartwatch
smart car or smartcar
Uppercase or lowercase?
The Royal Couple had a beautiful Royal Wedding.
The royal couple had a beautiful royal wedding.
With or without the hyphen?
3D
3-D
It is okay to use AR on the second reference for augmented reality.
True
False
Where do the period and comma belong in a quote?
They always belong outside of the quotation marks.
They always belong within the quotation marks.
They belong inside when applied to the quoted matter and outside when they apply to the whole sentence.
How’d you score? Are you an AP-Style expert or is it time to brush up with the new 2018 AP-Style Guidebook? Let us know your favorite – or least favorite – AP-Style rules in the comments on the MGP Facebook page.
