Controversial: Writing With (AP) Style

Is it 4 boys, with 4 as a numeral; or four boys, with four spelled out?

It's four. How do I know that? Here's the most basic AP guideline, in your style book under numerals: In general, Spell out whole numbers below 10, use figures for 10 and above.

So four should be four, not 4. And 10 should be 10, not ten.

So then, is this correct to start a sentence, under AP Style rules?

Twenty-two . . .

Actually, that IS correct number use. This is under the numerals heading:

Spell out a numeral at the beginning of a sentence.

Now, there are situations where you have a number that would be very awkward to spell out. Like with very large numbers, like 48,384. I would suggest not using such a number at the start of a sentence. Or start such a sentence with attribution so the number conflict doesn't matter (e.g., "According to the U.S. Justice Department, 48,384 . . . ).


Also, punctuation goes inside a quote, like this:

"I love field hockey," Stevens said.


NOT outside, like this:

"I love field hockey", Stevens said.

One more time: punctuation goes inside a quote. At least for now. In English English -- the English spoken in England -- it traditionally does go outside the quote. But in American English -- the English we speak here -- it goes inside, although there seems to be an argument in the English profession on whether that should evolve into something closer to the English English model.


As they say, England and America are two nations separated by a common language.


Now, let's talk about titles.

If someone's title precedes their name, then you capitalize: East Lansing Athletic Director Hugh Baker

If someone's title follows their name, then it's lower-case: Hugh Baker, East Lansing athletic director

Also, titles in most cases should not be included after a first reference. You may start out by saying Athletic Director Hugh Baker, but in subsequent references it's just Baker.


If you're referring to an organization by formal title, then it's usually caps: the East Lansing School Board

However, on second reference -- once you've established what group you're referring to -- you can use a generic title in lower-case: the school board

And if you break up the title or rearrange the sequence in an informal way, then drop to lower-case: the school board in East Lansing



Moving on; on first reference, you use a first and last name: Stuard Adler. But what do you do on a second and subsequent references?

Here is AP Style, under names:

In general, use only last names on second reference.

So, in most second reference situations, it would be just, Adler.

But what if there is more than one person with the same last name? Like, if you mention both Sandra and Stuard Adler in first reference? AP Style has that covered, too. Also under names:

When it is necessary to distinguish between two people who use the same last name, as in married couples or brothers and sisters, use the first and last name.

So, it would be Stuard Adler and Sandra Adler repeatedly.

Do not say Mr. Adler or Mrs. Adler. Under AP Style, names:

In subsequent references, do not continue using the title before a name. Use only the last name.

Same goes if you're using titles in first references like Dr. or Capt. or Rep., ect.