News on changes coming in the 2010 AP Stylebook have been making their way across Twitter, the AP wire, even Columbia Journalism Review. Notable:
-- A proposal to spell out the names of U.S. states in stories and datelines and dropping the names of Canadian provinces in datelines is now under review. Keep abbreviating!
-- "Web site" is now "website" -- this change went into effect April 16. Also, "webcam," "webcast" and "webmaster," but "the Web," "Web page" and "Web feed."
I came up through the ranks as a copy editor, and I'm always a little unnerved when AP makes a drastic style change -- these seem to contradict "the old" rules. I understand and agree that language has to change with the times, but when our guidelines do a 180 turn, what are the use of guidelines anyway? What do you think?
Get AP style updates at twitter.com/APStylebook -- not to be confused with the Fake AP Stylebook -- and order your new book in May here.
Also in May, check back here for the launch of our Editing Words blog, featuring style tips and more from GateHouse News & Interactive staffers.
News on changes coming in the 2010 AP Stylebook have been making their way across Twitter, the AP wire, even Columbia Journalism Review. Notable:
-- A proposal to spell out the names of U.S. states in stories and datelines and dropping the names of Canadian provinces in datelines is now under review. Keep abbreviating!
-- "Web site" is now "website" -- this change went into effect April 16. Also, "webcam," "webcast" and "webmaster," but "the Web," "Web page" and "Web feed."
I came up through the ranks as a copy editor, and I'm always a little unnerved when AP makes a drastic style change -- these seem to contradict "the old" rules. I understand and agree that language has to change with the times, but when our guidelines do a 180 turn, what are the use of guidelines anyway? What do you think?
Get AP style updates at twitter.com/APStylebook -- not to be confused with the Fake AP Stylebook -- and order your new book in May here.
Also in May, check back here for the launch of our Editing Words blog, featuring style tips and more from GateHouse News & Interactive staffers.
