AP Style
AP Style (Associated Press Style) is the standard way of writing and formatting text that most newspapers and news organizations use in the United States. Think of it as a rulebook that helps writers keep their writing consistent - like having the same rules for everyone about how to write dates, numbers, titles, and common terms. When someone says they know AP Style, it means they understand these writing rules that help make news stories clear and professional. Similar guides include the Chicago Manual of Style, but AP Style is specifically designed for news writing and is the most common in journalism.
Examples in Resumes
Edited daily news content following AP Style guidelines
Trained junior reporters in proper AP Style usage and formatting
Maintained consistency with AP Style across all digital and print publications
Updated company style guide based on AP Style and Associated Press standards
Typical job title: "Copy Editors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Copy Editors
Professional Organizations
Learning Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle training new writers on AP Style guidelines?
Expected Answer: A senior editor should discuss creating style guides, conducting workshops, providing practical examples, and implementing review processes to help writers learn and maintain AP Style standards.
Q: How do you stay updated with AP Style changes and implement them across a publication?
Expected Answer: Should explain following AP Stylebook updates, communicating changes to the team, updating internal style guides, and ensuring consistent application across all content.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are common AP Style mistakes you encounter and how do you address them?
Expected Answer: Should identify frequent issues like number formatting, title capitalization, and date styling, and explain how they would correct and prevent these errors.
Q: How do you balance AP Style rules with a publication's specific house style?
Expected Answer: Should discuss how to maintain AP Style as a foundation while incorporating organization-specific requirements and creating clear guidelines for writers.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic rules for numbers in AP Style?
Expected Answer: Should know that numbers one through nine are spelled out while 10 and above use numerals, with some common exceptions.
Q: How do you format titles and dates in AP Style?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic formatting rules for titles (capitalization rules) and dates (month, day, year format without commas for month and day only).
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic AP Style rules knowledge
- Proofreading ability
- Understanding of common formatting guidelines
- Basic fact-checking
Mid (2-5 years)
- Comprehensive AP Style knowledge
- Quick error identification
- Training junior staff
- Maintaining style consistency
Senior (5+ years)
- Expert-level AP Style mastery
- Style guide development
- Editorial team leadership
- Publication-wide style management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic AP Style rules
- Confusion about number formatting
- Lack of attention to detail in writing samples
- No experience with news writing or editing
Related Terms
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