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New AP Stylebook includes 300 new or revised entries, inclusive storytelling chapter

The Associated Press today released the 56th edition of The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, which includes more than 300 new or revised entries and a new chapter on inclusive storytelling.

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Cover of the AP Stylebook, 56th Edition. (AP Photo)

The AP Stylebook, 56th Edition, includes guidance that is new as of today plus additions and changes made throughout the year on AP Stylebook Online, such as a new chapter on inclusive storytelling and relevant expanded guidance announced earlier this year.

The new inclusive storytelling chapter emphasizes the importance of inclusive reporting and editing in ensuring accuracy and fairness, and offers guidance to recognize and overcome unconscious biases; use thoughtful and precise language; reach beyond usual sources and story ideas; include necessary context and background; avoid tokenism; and make content accessible.

Many new and revised Stylebook entries contain guidance relevant to inclusive storytelling, including 35 new or revised disabilities-related entries, and expanded pronoun guidance advising to writers to use they/them/their as much as possible as a way of accurately describing a person who uses those pronouns for themself.

Among the changes in the spiral-bound 2022 Stylebook:

  • Greatly expanded and revised guidance on migration, immigration, including an explanation of the terms migrant versus immigrant, a detailed rundown on agencies dealing with immigration and migration, and 20 new or revised individual entries. 
  • Renamed entry on marijuana, cannabis that now says those terms can be used interchangeably and offers additional updates to related terms, including decriminalization and delta, such as delta-8.
  • A new entry on child-free, childless, advising to avoid using these terms other than in direct quotes essential to the story.
  • New guidance that says supervised injection sites, safe injection sites and overdose prevention are acceptable terminology.
  • New guidance on terrorism that says to describe specific actions that are being perpetrated, and attribute the use of the word terrorism or terrorist to authorities except when talking about historical events widely acknowledged as terrorist actions.
  • Updated chapters on social media and web-based reporting, and polls and surveys.

At more than 600 pages, the AP Stylebook is widely used as a writing and editing reference in newsrooms, classrooms and corporate offices worldwide. Updated regularly since its initial publication in 1953, the AP Stylebook is a must-have reference for writers, editors, students and professionals. It provides fundamental guidelines for spelling, language, punctuation, usage and journalistic style. It is the definitive resource for journalists.

The AP Stylebook is available in spiral-bound print—now published biennially—and online in several digital formats.

AP Stylebook Online has become the primary way professional writers and editors access this definitive resource. It is regularly updated to reflect changes to news writing in real-time.

AP Stylebook Online includes all Stylebook listings, plus an Ask the Editor feature with extensive archives, and Topical Guides about news events. Users can add their own entries, make notes and receive notifications throughout the year when AP’s editors add or update listings.

The new Stylebook print edition costs $27.95 for AP member news organizations and college bookstores and $34.95 retail. AP Stylebook Online prices are $29 for individual subscribers for one year, $23 for a single user at news organizations that are AP members. Prices for Stylebook Online site licenses are based on the number of users, starting at $230 for 10 users for a year.

The new print edition and digital subscriptions can be ordered online at http://www.apstylebook.com.

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Contact

Nicole Meir
Media Relations Manager
The Associated Press
212-621-7536
nmeir@ap.org

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