Essential equipment for a reporter
Written: Sep 19 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Standardized rules that are typically followed by newspapers and magazines.
Cons: Some publications have quirky rules that deviate from AP style.
The Bottom Line: An absolutely essential reference for journalists. The quickest way I know for reporters to pick up on style rules.
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| HawgWyld's Full Review: Associated Press Stylebook & Libel Manua Books |
One of the first things a reporter is given when he reports to work (or, at least at most places) is an AP Stylebook. That's because this book is as essential to reporters as a curious nature, a handy notebook, a pen and a lack of concern about real money. In fact, the AP Stylebook is the only publication that was given to me for free at the three newspapers I've worked for over the years.
So, why's it so important to have one of these? That question's quite simple to answer, really. This book is nothing less than an attempt of the Associated Press to standardize style rules for newspapers around the nation. That attempt has been largely successful, and the motto around my newspaper is, "If you go by the AP Stylebook, you can't go wrong."
The AP Stylebook should be viewed as an attempt to answer the most common style questions reporters have. For example, when referencing Anywhere, Texas, should "Texas" be abbreviated? If mentioning Benton, Arkansas, is Arkansas abbreviated "Ark." or by "AR," it's postal designation? When should hyphens be used? What's the difference between "affect" and "effect?" Is it okay to refer to the former American Automobile Association as AAA? These questions and more are answered in the AP Stylebook and the thing is laid out in a way that makes finding answers simple once one becomes familiar with the book.
Of course, general grammar questions are answered in the AP Stylebook, and special sections on business and sports writing are included. More recent editions of the AP Stylebook have entire sections dedicated to terminology surrounding and facts about the Internet. That can be useful, too.
I've never found the "libel manual" part of the book too useful for two reasons. First of all, I have a law degree and have taken some media law classes. Second, we have an attorney on call and simply contact him if we're getting too close to an area that might get us in trouble.
Having said that, the libel manual serves as a nice, compact primer on what libel is and how to avoid putting a publication at risk of getting sued. Indeed, the libel manual can help folks avoid writing things that are defamatory, present people in a false light and etc.
Are there problems with the AP Stylebook? Well, in a sense. First of all, it's a general guide, and is therefore useless when it comes to local style rules. For example, it's obvious that "large" cities don't have to be identified by what state they're in -- for example, it's not necessary to write "Houston, Texas" when just "Houston" will do. For smaller cities that are well known in the region where a newspaper is located, that paper might simply refer to those cities without identifying the state.
Also, the AP Stylebook is updated frequently, but style rules change fairly quickly. That means some things will be missing from an AP Stylebook as soon as it's printed and shipped. That, though, is to be expected.
So, the AP Stylebook is absolutely crucial for many in the publishing industry. Sure, it's just about worthless when it comes to writing literature, but that's another story. While one might have a good grasp of the English language, there are many ways to approach writing. The AP Stylebook is the one that lays out the approved approach for a journalist to take when writing.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
HawgWyld
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Ethan C. Nobles
Location: Benton, Ark.
Reviews written: 1429
Trusted by: 495 members
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The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient.
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