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Last Seven Days

Question from Yorkshire, UK, on July 22, 2025

Doctor as a title: just circling back round to the fact that AP only permits Dr. to be used with the name of those who have a degree that allows the title merely by convention (vet, osteopath, dentist, etc.), but not those who have actually written and defended a doctoral thesis, qualifying them beyond any debate to have the title.

Doctors can't be called "Doctor" despite having a doctorate; dentists can be called doctor even though they haven't.

Something that contrary needs to be – at the barest minimum – explained; more reasonably, it needs to be rectified.

Answer

The goal of this rule is to make copy easily understandable to the average reader. Many people understand the title "Doctor" only in a medical sense. We don't argue that others with a Ph.D. don't deserve the title. We just suggest writing it differently, with more information to clue people in to the person's skills and specialty: ... "when necessary or appropriate: Cassandra Karoub, who has a doctorate in mathematics, was lead researcher."

Question on July 21, 2025

We're going 15 rounds regarding AP guidance on bulleted list punctuation. Can you please settle our debate?

Per AP guidance, should periods be added to the end of these bullets?

During pregnancy, your doula can act as a trusted expert who:
• Listens to your concerns
• Offers insights about what to expect
• Provides emotional support to you and your birth partner
• Helps you prepare a birth plan

Thank you!

Answer

In this case, since the bullet points are not complete sentences, no periods needed. 

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