PR pros’ guide to AP style
However, many communicators still hearken to the old guidance: Use “more than” when referring to numbers and “over” when referring to spatial elements.
For example:
We acquired more than 100,000 customers.
The cow jumped over the moon.
Numbers
Write out numbers one through nine, and use figures for 10 and above. Spell out a number if it starts a sentence unless it’s a year.
For percentages, use numbers and do not use the % symbol. Example: 39 percent.
Punctuation
AP style generally doesn’t use the Oxford comma. Do not use a comma before the last item in a simple series.
We do not put a comma before the conjunction in a simple series: The flag is red, white and blue. #RaganChat https://t.co/eof8oUxuLA[3][4]
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) June 21, 2016[5]
We aren’t absolute in never using the serial comma. We suggest common sense in writing for clarity. #RaganChat https://t.co/eof8oUxuLA[6][7]
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) June 21, 2016[8]
Put a comma before the last conjunction in a series, if an element of the series requires a conjunction. #RaganChat https://t.co/eof8oUxuLA[9][10]
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) June 21, 2016[11]
Punctuation almost always goes inside quotation marks.
Examples:
“No exceptions,” I said.
Johnny, did you say, “Thank you”?
Times
Use a colon to separate hours from minutes, but do not use :00.
Example:
1 p.m.
3:30 a.m.
When referencing a.m. and p.m., place the periods in this manner. Use “noon” and “midnight” instead of “12 p.m.” and “12 a.m.”
Titles
Formal titles that precede an individual’s name are capitalized. Titles that fall after are lowercase. Don’t capitalize generic job and department names, either.
For example:
We clapped when President Donald Trump cut the ribbon.
Patty Smith, director of marketing at XYZ, attended the ceremony as well.
Capitalization: Generic job and department names are lowercase. Examples: server, astronaut, movie star. #APStyleChat[12]
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) February 10, 2015[13]
Capitalize principal before a name, as well as vice principal or assistant principal, if it’s a formal title. @RobTmanJr #APStyleChat[14][15]
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) August 6, 2013[16]