david j. garcia

In many ways, editorial standards seem to have gone by the wayside. Deadlines are now measured in minutes (or seconds) instead of hours or days.

With the push to publish as soon as possible, is using a guide like the AP Stylebook an out-of-date tradition?

Or is it still worth the effort?

Even if fewer people care about AP style–

–I still think it’s worth your time. Why? It sets you apart in the best possible way.

Why you need an AP Stylebook

Your AP Stylebook is the key to clean, consistent writing. While it’s not absolutely essential that you use the AP style, it is important that you use some sort of style guide. Following a standard style makes you (and your organization) look good. Why?

• It enforces a standard.

• It ensures consistency.

• It resolves disputes.

Using a style guide shows professionalism. First, it makes your writing better in general, as mentioned. Second, readers who care about good writing will notice. Most people won’t, but some (like me) will. To them, it shows that you care about your writing.

If you’re in public relations or journalism in the United States, The Associated Press Stylebook is the gold standard of style guides.

Personally, I use a modified verion of AP style, and most places I’ve worked have done the same. I don’t follow AP style for everything (such as “Internet” or “Web site”) but it’s a great starting point. I even use a modified AP style on Twitter: AP style is already optimized for clear communication with limited characters.

How to win a brand-new, 2009 AP Stylebook

As I mentioned when I began my month of blogging, everyone who comments on my blog this month is automatically entered to win a brand-new, 2009 AP Stylebook!

Some additional clarification:

• You must be a real person and leave a real comment.
• I must be able to contact you through your website or email address (or know you personally).
• In order to encourage both new and repeat commenters:
  • Your first comment is worth seven entries.
  • Your second comment is worth two entries.
  • Each additional comment is worth one entry.
• At the end of the month, I’ll add up everyone’s entries and select one at random.

In addition, after I’ve chosen a winner of the 2009 AP Stylebook, I’ll select one more comment (from someone other than the Stylebook winner) as the month’s best. That commentator will receive a gift chosen uniquely for them. It may be a second Stylebook; it may be something entirely different.

Finally, some disclaimers. You probably only need to pay attention to part of this:

I reserve the right to change or cancel this contest at any time with or without notice. I am under no legal obligation to provide you with a spiffy new Stylebook–I’m doing this because I want to. Also, I (David J. Garcia:”the blogger”) am the sole and final judge of all things relating to this contest. I will not pay your taxes for you. This offer is only good in the United States, and it’s void anyplace where it’s considered illegal or immoral (don’t worry, BYU readers: you can still enter). Should you run afoul of the law attempting to participate in this contest, please don’t blame me. I am not a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Should I become a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turle (or any other fabled hero, caped crusader, or masked avenger), I reserve the right to give up all other pursuits and devote myself to a life of fighting crime, battling evil, and/or ridding the streets of Gotham City of the filth that preys on the helpless and weak. I also reserve the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If, at any point, this contest conflicts with any of those rights and/or my moral/religious beliefs and obligations, all bets are off. If you’re a jerk, I’ll probably still try to give you your prize (if you win it fair and square), but I won’t be as happy about it. As far as I know, no animals have been harmed in the testing of this website. I have, however, injured my browser repeatedly. In the event that I am unable to contact the winner or award the prize within a reasonable period of time (at my discretion), I’ll either give it to someone else or keep it for my own. If the first winner decides that they don’t want the Stylebook, I’ll remove their entries and choose a second winner at random, based on the weighted entries. I like chocolate.

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Do you like this post? Then tweet it! And don’t forget to subscribe or come back tomorrow, because I’m posting new content every day this month.

What do you think about AP style? Is it still necessary or is it a relic? Do you still use it? Only use it sometimes? Never use it? Sound off in the comments!

(photo from Wikimedia)