Associated Press Stylebook New Entries

Posted: December 16, 2010

The Associated Press Stylebook online service lists more than 150 changes and new entries. If you follow AP style, here's a list of terms you should know.

all-terrain vehicle ATV is acceptable on second reference
assault rifle A rifle that is capable of being fired in fully automatic and semi-automatic modes, at the user's option. Designed for, and used by, military forces. Also used by some law enforcement agencies. The form: an M16 assault rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle.
bed-and-breakfast B&B is acceptable on second reference
CEO The entry on CEO has been revised to say that CEO is acceptable in all references for chief executive officer.
checkout (n. and adj.), check out (v.)
check-in (n. and adj.), check in (v.)
do's and don'ts
e-book, e-commerce, e-mail Hypenated e for generic terms.
hand-washing
filmmaker
firsthand (adj. and adv.)
flood plain
handheld (n.) hand-held (adj.)
mic (n.) Informal form of microphone
nonprofit
prime time (n.), prime-time (adj.)
problem-solving
Q-and-A format Use Q-and-A within the body of a story. See question mark in Punctuation chapter.
stand-alone (adj.)
Taser The entry on Taser has been updated to say that the generic form should be used if the brand is uncertain.
video recording Precise term for digital audio and visual recording. Digital has largely replaced videotaping.
videotape (n. and v.) Largely replaced by digital recording. The terms apply only if tape is used.
website A location on the World Wide Web that maintains one or more pages at a specific address. Also, webcam, webcast and webmaster. But as a short form and in terms with separate words, the Web, Web page and Web feed. See Web.
wracked The preferred spelling when used to say a person is wracked with doubt or wracked with pain.
YouTube A video-serving network owned by Google Inc. that allows users to upload their own videos for access by anyone with a network connection.