ASSOCIATED PRESS STYLE CHEAT SHEET
(Compiled with assistance from online resources, including Scribd, Purdue
University and Towson University)
Abbreviations and Acronyms
• As a general rule, use only commonly recognized abbreviations. The most
common, such as NASA, FBI and CIA, can be used on all references. Less
well-known but still common ones such as OSHA and NATO can be used after
you spell out the full name on first mention. In most cases, however, the
stylebook suggests using a generic reference such as the agency or the
alliance for all references after the first.
• Don’t put unfamiliar abbreviations in parentheses after the first reference (for
example, “The American Copy Editors Society (ACES) …”) Instead either
repeat the full name on subsequent references or use a generic reference,
such as the society.
• Academic degrees: Andrews University uses the style of no punctuation in
academic degree abbreviations. This is an exception to AP style. Examples:
BA, BS, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
MA, MS, Master of Arts, Master of Science
EdD, PhD, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Philosophy
MBA, Master of Business Administration
Do not add the word "degree" after an abbreviation of the degree or
after the full name of the degree
Wrong: She'll receive her PhD degree this fall
Right: She'll receive her PhD this fall
Wrong: She has a BS degree in chemistry
Right: She has a bachelor's degree in chemistry
Right: She has a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering
• Abbreviate junior or senior directly after a name, with no comma to set it off:
Justin Wilson Jr.
• Spell out the names of all states when used alone and in body text. This is a
recent change to AP Style.
• Be sure not to use the U.S. Postal Service abbreviations for states unless you
are providing a full address including ZIP code: “Send contributions to Relief
Fund, Box 185, Pasadena, CA 91030.”
• Spell out the name of a month when it is used without a specific date:
“August is too hot for a visit to Florida.” Abbreviate months with six or more
letters if they are used with a specific date: Sept. 28. Always spell out those
with five or fewer letters: May 15.
• Spell out titles used alone: “She was the first female senator from her state.”
Abbreviate and capitalize most titles when they are used directly before a
name: “Sen. Boxer posed hard questions for Rice.”
• Spell out all generic parts of street names (avenue, north, road) when no
specific address is given: “The festival will be held on South Charles Street.”
When a number is used, abbreviate avenue (Ave.), boulevard (Blvd.), street
