When you need to do this, the ap stylebook prefers you to write out the title of a degree in a phrase and to avoid using an abbreviation. A baccalaureate is another name for a bachelors degree. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. To check spellings or terms not included there, consult the websters new world college dictionary, fifth edition. Proper way to notate college degrees the classroom. Stylebook lists are more indepth, heres basically what i need to know in the form of examples to ensure i follow a. There are 180 ap style questions in the following quizzes. The ap stylebook recommends using abbreviations only when mentioning several people at the same time, making a phrase that describes each persons credentials cumbersome. Style guide the marketing and communications office uses as its primary reference the associated press ap stylebook.
The guidelines are based on the associated press ap stylebook, websters new world dictionary, and local usage. The associated press stylebook, first published in 1977, clarified the news organizations rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage. Its updated throughout the year and valuable onlineonly resources, including ask the editor, topical guides and pronunciation guide, expand on the print books guidance. Our blog capitalization of academic degrees addresses this. The associated press stylebook recommends abbreviating degrees, with periods but without spaces, when many individuals are being listed at the same time so that abbreviation is necessary to save space. Use an apostrophe in bachelors degree and masters degree. Sp 17 ap style guide university of texas at austin. It has a lot to do with how printed stories are formatted.
List academic degrees before honorary degrees, which are listed before professional licenses. In addition to the stylebook entries below, you should be knowledgeable of the following chapters in the ap stylebook. Appalachian state university uses the associated press stylebook as its editorial guide, which is in keeping with the communications industry. Rules for capitalizing academic degrees in ap style bka content. The associated press provides several guidelines for referring to academic and numerical degrees in print. Use the following guidelines to produce clean copy, styleerrorfree writing with unnecessary mistakes. For issues not addressed here, please refer to ap style and merriamwebsters collegiate dictionary, 11th edition. May 21, 2009 use all caps, but no periods, in longer abbreviations and acronyms when the individual letters are pronounced. When most of the numbers in a series have double digits, it makes sense to use all numerals. Unlike academic writing, ap style does not require a reference list or in text citations. You must learn associated press style to make it in public relations.
Some others are acceptable depending on the context. Ap style academic degrees sometimes it is necessary to establish the credentials of a subject in your text. Posts about ap stylebook written by bloodywellwrite. There is nothing wrong with the first sentence, but rather many ways to right a an academic degree. As a writer following the associated press stylebook, however, i capitalize according to the rules and not peoples egos.
Capitalize and do not use possessive in bachelor of arts or master of science. In addition to the stylebook entries below, you should be knowledgeable of the following sections in the ap stylebook. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. A few universally recognized abbreviations, such as co. For questions not covered by either ap or the du stylebook, please refer to the 14th edition of the chicago manual of style. Ba, bs, bachelor of arts, bachelor of science ma, ms, master of arts, master of science edd, phd, doctor of education, doctor of philosophy mba, master of business administration. If mention of a degree is necessary to establish someones credentials, the preferred form is to avoid an abbreviation and use instead a phrase such as.
Jack gillespie, rowan university, purdue university writing lab and ap stylebook page 1 ap stylebook guidelines the ap style items below represent the journalistic style errors most often found in news stories. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. The basics ap style study guide compiled using the associated press stylebook j202j218 spring 2009 academic degrees. Buying the most recent edition of the associated press stylebook or signing up at can prevent spills down the most slippery of stylistic slopes. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules.
The university of tampa style guide provides guidelines for writers on campus. It focuses on clear and concise writing, with each paragraph only being about two or three sentences long. May 02, 20 every time a client asks me how to write a bio, or wants me to write a bio on their behalf, i find myself looking up how to handle discussion of their academic degrees in my trusty little associated press a. Punctuation congress editing marks a abbreviations and acronyms academic degrees academic departments. Journalists overwhelmingly use ap formatting, and other professionals, including attorneys and teachers, may opt to use ap style. The associated press stylebook and websters new world online provides a comprehensive guide to associated press usage and accepted style, with chapters on religion, fashion, food, broadcast, business, sports and social media. At that point, use the degree only at the end of the recipients full name on the first mention and drop it on subsequent mentions. Academic degrees lowercase except in the case of abbreviations, which should be avoided when possible. Please consult this resource if you have questions.
Care should be taken when referring to people with nonmedical degrees as doctors. Every time a client asks me how to write a bio, or wants me to write a bio on their behalf, i find myself looking up how to handle discussion of their academic degrees in my trusty little associated press a. The following list of common uses and the az index include highlights of ap style and provide policies for consistently representing appalachian in your communications. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time i comment. The associated press stylebook ap recommends no capitals when referring to degrees in general terms bachelors, masters, doctorate, associate degree but always capitalizing specific degrees bachelor of arts, master of science, whether or not they directly precede or follow a. This material may not be resold, sublicensed, or distributed without written permission. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms that the reader would not quickly recognize. The du stylebook supplements ap by offering guidance on a variety of universityspecific terms, programs and usages. Ap is in agreement with cmos that the field of study be written in lower case except when it contains a. Academic degrees use an apostrophe in bachelors and masters degrees. For slide presentations of ap style basics, go here. Jan 31, 2018 the associated press stylebook ap recommends no capitals when referring to degrees in general terms bachelors, masters, doctorate, associate degree but always capitalizing specific degrees bachelor of arts, master of science.
One voice and many tones columbia law school aims to speaks with a distinct. For guidance on how and when to abbreviate bachelors degrees, please see our full page on ap style academic degrees. Associated press style cheat sheet andrews university. Rules for capitalizing academic degrees in ap style bka. A guide to punctuation in the associated press stylebook and libel manual. Numbers use arabic numerals for numbers with two or more digits. Use only an initial cap and then lowercase for acronyms of more than six letters, unless listed otherwise in this stylebook or websters new world college dictionary. The following formal names of specific degrees should always be capitalized in ap style. Indiana daily student stylebook addendum for spring 2019. Writing for the web follows the departments style, which is based on the ap stylebook. Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. Use an apostrophe in bachelors and masters degrees. Abbreviations for states use postal service style, rather than ap style.
Ap style also aims to avoid stereotypes and unintentionally offensive language. On some issues, in accordance with an academic culture, it differs from ap. The sheriff found two dogs and one rabbit in the house. The ap stylebook is organized alphabetically by general category. Use all caps, but no periods, in longer abbreviations and acronyms when the individual letters are pronounced. Andrews university uses the style of no punctuation in academic degree abbreviations.
Learn ap stylebook with free interactive flashcards. The associated press stylebook recommends using lowercase when referring to degrees in general but capitalizing when they follow a name. J marion sims, often called the father of gynecology, is a controversial historical figure whose methods are questioned by modern ethicists. The ap stylebook online has 997 words on possessives, 924 words on hyphens, 595 words on plurals and a veritable trove of alphabetized entries from abcs and academic degrees to pingpong and peahens, plus a catalog of clarifications in the popular and occasionally witty ask the editor supplement. Hes expected to graduate with a bachelors degree in english in december. If youre stateside, the color is gray unless it is a persons or companys preferred spelling or if youve checked merriamwebster s dictionary for firstmentioned spellings. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. The purpose is to help produce consistency throughout the universitys publications and website. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and.
Stylebook and briefing on media law with internet guide and glossary associated press click here to search the associated press retains all right, title and interest in and to the ap material that follows, including. 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. The chicago manual of style recommends writing academic degrees in lowercase except when using the degree as a title. Apr 27, 2017 capitalize bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, master of science, etc.
Our editorial style rules are based largely on the associated press stylebook, with some notable exceptions. The associated press stylebook ap recommends no capitals when referring to degrees in general terms bachelors, masters, doctorate, associate degree but always capitalizing specific degrees bachelor of arts, master of science. 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. Writing style guide university communications toolbox. Capitalization of academic degrees grammar and punctuation. Ap style terms for academic degrees gatehouse newsroom. Associated press ap style checklist associated press style is a form of writing used primarily by journalists and public relations professionals. Now in its sixth edition, the stylebook is the standard style. This rule is in the stylebook twice and is very important. The associated press stylebook ap recommends no capitals when referring to degrees in general terms bachelors, masters, doctorate, associate degree but always capitalizing specific degrees bachelor of arts, master of science, whether or not they directly precede or follow a name. Punctuation guide editing marks a abbreviations and acronyms acceptexcept academic degrees academic departments. Style questions regarding numbers are answered under the entry numbers. Test your knowledge with a series of 10question quizzes. The ap therefore strives to keep its writing style easy to read, concise and free of bias.