Guide to AP style writing

Look, I know freelance writing on the net is a far cry from an op-ed on the NYT or a stab in the back media critique in Romenesko's Poynter Online. Still, you'll learn something new, the value of which can never be underestimated. And even if you don't use the AP style all that much while ranting on the net, it just might creep into your writing and you'll start sounding more like a professional writer than a balding and slightly overweight social misfit sitting in your mom's basement tapping away at your keyboard.


" A publication's use of a particular style provides consistency, accuracy, and tone. For example, the styles of The New York Times and Rolling Stone differ significantly. The AP style falls somewhere in between, aiming at a general audience with a tone that is neither too elite nor too common. Although you won't find an explanation of the logic of AP style in the stylebook, it has been my experience that AP likes information presented so it is:

1. Totally accurate.
2. Totally clear to anyone with a high school education.
3. As tight as can be, given No. 1 and No. 2.
4. Inoffensive, unless there is an overriding reason, central to a significant news story, to include potentially offensive words or concepts."

- Dr. Michael S. Sweeney, Utah State University

Sorry, Doc, for the blatant and brazen copy-paste, but you put it much better than I could possibly attempt. Here's what I did - Bookmarked the page. I'm going to refer to it every time I write an article for a client and go through the entire article and cross check every sentence against Dr. Sweeney's checklist. Once I'm reasonably comfortable with it and I can remember every tiny detail about the AP style, I'm going to take the Doc's test and see how I do. I urge every freelance writer visiting this page to visit the link above and go through it in it's entriety.

Here's a few additional links which might help you get used to the AP style of writing :

• Style Guide - Wikipedia
  
• AP Style Book ( Purchase required )
  
• Writers's Style Guide : Introduction
  

And just in case you think it's not worth the effort, take a look:

Experienced Proofreader / Researcher / Editor
Comment: Must have knowledge of AP style..

Professional Freelance Proofreaders
Comment: Must have working knowledge of AP Stylebook...

Copy Editor
Comment: Must have a strong grasp of AP style...

Tech savvy Political Blogger
Comment: Should have knowledge of AP Style...

Copy Editor - Proofreader
Comment: Must have prior experience and knowledge of AP Style....

Assistant Editor
Comment: Must know AP style...

Internship
Comment: Must have a working knowledge of the Associated Press style guide..

Go get that style book! One small point - I'm slightly ashamed that this post, while in the spirit of the AP style, does not confirm to it's standards. Gimme some time, huh?