Previewing a new edition of the AP Stylebook

by Lauren Easton, director of media relations on March 29, 2019

The guidance is immediately available to AP Stylebook Online subscribers and will be included in the new print edition of the Stylebook when it is published on May 29.

The additions include:

  • A new entry covering the terms “racist/racism.”
  • Guidance not to use “racially charged” or similar terms as euphemisms for “racist” or “racism” when the latter terms are applicable.
  • Guidance not to use the term “black” or “white” in the singular as a noun, and to limit the use of the terms “blacks” and “whites” as plurals.
  • The shorthand “Indian” should not be used for “American Indians” or “Native Americans.”
  • Guidance about the gender-neutral term “Latinx.” 
Previewing the new edition at the ACES conference, Stylebook Editor Paula Froke highlighted a few changes, including that the % sign is acceptable when paired with a numeral in most cases, and accent marks can be used with names of people who request them or are widely known to use them, or if quoting directly in a language that uses them. Those changes take effect next week.

The 2019 AP Stylebook will include more than 200 new and modified entries, some of which have already been released to AP Stylebook Online subscribers. Some of the entries presented at the meeting include: 

casualties — Avoid using the word, which is vague and can refer to either injuries or deaths. Instead, be specific about what is meant. If authorities use the term, press for specifics. If specifics aren’t available, say so: Officer Riya Kumar said the crash resulted in casualties, but she did not know whether those were injuries or deaths.

data — The word typically takes singular verbs and pronouns when writing for general audiences and in data journalism contexts: The data is sound. In scientific and academic writing, plural verbs and pronouns are preferred. Use databank and database, but data processing (n. and adj.) and data center.

cocktail — Do not use cocktail in reference to a mixture of drugs. Instead: drug combination or simply drugs or medications: HIV drugs.

The AP Stylebook is the definitive resource for journalists and a must-have reference for writers, editors, students and professionals. It provides fundamental guidelines for spelling, language, punctuation, usage and journalistic style.

Find AP Stylebook on Twitter, Facebook and online.

 

SUBSCRIBE TO AP STYLEBOOK ONLINE

Comprehensive AP style guidance on your computer, tablet and phone

This searchable, customizable, regularly updated version of AP Stylebook offers bonus features including Ask the Editor and Topical Guides. Add Webster's New World College Dictionary for a more comprehensive resource.

Your subscription includes the popular Ask the Editor feature, where you can ask your own questions and search thousands of past answers, and Topical Guides, offering guidance to help you write about events in the news.


Sign Up for our Newsletter

Keep up to date on style news. Sign up for our stylish monthly e-newsletter by submitting your email address below.

Request your free 14-day trial

Try AP Stylebook Online for yourself

We offer free trials of individual subscriptions and 10-user site licenses for AP Stylebook Online.

We will include access to Webster's New World College Dictionary, the official dictionary of the AP Stylebook.

At the end of your free trial, we will ask you if you would like to continue your service so you can keep any of the custom entries you created on Stylebook Online.

I want AP Stylebook Online:
Back to Top