The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law

Within each section, entries are alphabetized, and searching for an answer is a fairly simple process. Tricky words--those that can be hyphenated (know-how) or not (jukebox), homonyms, nonstandard spellings (mo-ped)--are given their own short entries. Larger categories, such as religions, military titles, the Internet, and datelines, have multiple pages devoted to their explanations, but detail and clarity are brought nicely together in each listing. Many entries concern brand names and trademarks--never again will you question whetherpingpong or Ping-Pong should be used in the flier for your table-tennis tournament.

While a few sections of this book--the ones concerning media law, photo captions, filing the wire, and proofreading marks--will most likely be used by professional and student journalists and editors, the majority of this book is an excellent tool for anyone who ever has to write for the public. Whether it's a newsletter for your badminton league, a training manual for your employees, or a press release detailing your company's quarterly earnings, this stylebook will help you turn out well-written copy that gains the approval of every English teacher you've ever had. --Jill Lightner

Product Description

Overall, the bulk of the book is fine -- exactly what you expect from AP. But the very thin Internet section is in need of a major reexamination so that we can all stop flipping between AP and the Wired book. Considering how much of our information today is online, you would think AP would place a higher priority on staying complete with their online usage rules.


Must-have for journalists, great for everyone   April 8, 2004
 8 out of 13 found this review helpful

I'm a journalism minor and this book is a must-have. However, after looking though the book and using it several times, it would be great for anyone who does any kind of writing. It tells you how to spell works, how they should be capitalized, and other things like that.

For journalists: it helps put things into the format that your newspaper editor or broadcast producer wants. It also keeps your stories in line with the AP's guidelines. It is a great tool to have on your desk, just in case you aren't sure. The entries are in alphabetical order, so what you're looking for will be easy to find.


Benefits more than journalists   September 4, 2007
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

The title of this book might lead you to think this is just another grammar book--and one with only print journalists in mind. Not so! If you are looking for a guide that will ensure consistency in all of your corporate literature, I highly recommend this book and its companion "Bible," Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition. Never again will you have to wonder whether to add a hyphen, capitalize a word or use an abbreviation. To me one of the main reasons why documents can look unprofessional is because writers don't apply consistency in style throughout corporate literature or even throughout the same piece. This book is the ultimate foundation for consistency, clarity and professionalism. And from here you can add your own "house styles," guidelines that are unique to your profession or business. The return on investment on this book is tremendous.


Indispensable   June 21, 2001
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

There is a reason The AP Stylebook has sold more than 1.6 million copies -- it is an indispensable tool for writers and editors. It is simple to use and also contains a great briefing on media law.

If you aspire to journalism, you have to own it.


AP Stylebook Advantages   November 5, 2007
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful



Ron Marlar (a retired USAF officer, college professor, school teacher, living currently in Florida)

A primary advantage of The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law is the ease of finding style standards for journalistic writing. There are many writing style guides. Some are general in nature. Others are more specific for special kinds of writing, e.g., college reports, academic papers, scientific reports, and religious books and papers. No other rises to the level of ease as that of The Associated Press Stylebook for finding style standards. This is due to the A to Z listing format used in The Associated Press Stylebook.
Another advantage of this stylebook is indicated by its full title including Briefing on Media Law. Journalists and other writers may know how to write. They may have memorized well most of the style standards, but few seem to know media law unless well trained in journalism schools of top quality.
Other advantages include: the What's New, Bibliography, specific Sports and Business Guidelines and Style, Guide to Punctuation, and Proofreaders' Marks sections.
The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law with its frequent updates is for serious, professional writers and others who want to know how to write and understand legal issues in writing to communicate.