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AP style changes take effect with debut of redesigned Stylebook

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The Associated Press today released the 2016 edition of The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, which includes nearly 250 new or revised entries and the first interior page redesign in decades.

Stylebook editors announced their intention to lowercase internet and web in all instances during the American Copy Editors Society convention in April. The change takes effect today.

There are 36 new and updated entries in the food chapter, from arctic char to whisky/whiskey, and eight new and updated entries in the fashion chapter, including normcore and Uniqlo. 

The changes to the 2016 Stylebook also include:

  • 50 new and updated technology terms, including emoji, emoticon and metadata
  • New entries discouraging the use of child prostitute and mistress; restricting spree to shopping or revelry, not killing; and using the number of firefighters or quantity of equipment sent to a fire, not the number of alarms.
  • DJ is now allowed on first reference, and spokesperson is recognized, in addition to spokesman and spokeswoman
  • New guidance on the terms marijuana, cannabis and pot; cross dresser and transvestite; accident and crash; notorious and notoriety;
  • A new entry on data journalism

The interior page redesign features new typography to make entries easier to find and read and the addition of navigational tabs on the sides of pages. 

AP Stylebook editors Tom Kent, Jerry Schwartz, David Minthorn and Paula Froke will answer questions about the new book today (June 1) at 2:30 p.m. ET in a Twitter chat, using the hashtag #APStyleChat. 

At about 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 provides fundamental guidelines for spelling, language, punctuation, usage and journalistic style. It is the definitive resource for journalists. 

The AP Stylebook is available in print and digital formats. 

The subscription-based AP Stylebook Online is updated throughout the year with the new and revised entries. It includes all Stylebook listings, plus an Ask the Editor feature with more than twice as many entries as the book itself, a pronunciation guide with phonetic spellings and audio pronouncers, and topical style guides about news events. Users can add their own entries, make notes and get notifications throughout the year when AP’s editors add or update listings. 

AP Stylebook & Webster’s New World Online adds 185,000 definitions from Stylebook’s primary dictionary to Stylebook Online’s subscription website. A single search delivers results from both and clearly identifies the source of each entry.  Today subscribers get exclusive access to the 2016 Webster’s New World College Dictionary updated content; the new printed dictionary goes on sale this summer. 

The 2016 print edition costs $18.35 for AP member news organizations and college bookstores and $22.95 retail. AP Stylebook Online prices are $26 for individual subscribers for one year and $20.80 for news organizations that are AP members. Prices for online site licenses are based on the number of users, starting at $210 for 10 users for a year. 

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

The AP Stylebook is also available as an e-book. The 2015 edition remains available on all major e-book platforms and the 2016 edition is expected to launch soon. 

On the web: www.apstylebook.com 

On Twitter:  www.twitter.com/apstylebook 

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/apstylebook

Contact

Paul Colford
Vice President and Director of Media Relations
The Associated Press
212.621.1895
PColford@AP.org

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