The Associated Press Stylebook 2019: And Briefing on Media Law

I got this book to help better my skills in writing better, and I am doing just that.

This book is always helpful and is really well written. The only negative is that it is not spiral bound like previous issues.

Ron Marlar (a retired USAF officer, college professor, school teacher, living currently in Florida) A primary advantage of The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law is the ease of finding style standards for journalistic writing. There are many writing style guides. Some are general in nature. Others are more specific for special kinds of writing, e.g., college reports, academic papers, scientific reports, and religious books and papers. No other rises to the level of ease as that of The Associated Press Stylebook for finding style standards. This is due to the A to Z listing format used in The Associated Press Stylebook. Another advantage of this stylebook is indicated by its full title including Briefing on Media Law. Journalists and other writers may know how to write. They may have memorized well most of the style standards, but few seem to know media law unless well trained in journalism schools of top quality. Other advantages include: the What's New, Bibliography, specific Sports and Business Guidelines and Style, Guide to Punctuation, and Proofreaders' Marks sections. The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law with its frequent updates is for serious, professional writers and others who want to know how to write and understand legal issues in writing to communicate.

Finally I can point to the authority and say,"Look, don't use the word HOPEFULLY to mean 'it is hoped, or let us hope.'" It is an adverb, not to be used to modify a sentence, only to modify a verb. Use it to mean 'in a hopeful manner.' Yes, the other use has been documented since the 30s, but that doesn't make it right. Stepping off the soap box now. Thanks AP!

The title of this book might lead you to think this is just another grammar book--and one with only print journalists in mind. Not so! If you are looking for a guide that will ensure consistency in all of your corporate literature, I highly recommend this book and its companion "Bible," Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition. Never again will you have to wonder whether to add a hyphen, capitalize a word or use an abbreviation. To me one of the main reasons why documents can look unprofessional is because writers don't apply consistency in style throughout corporate literature or even throughout the same piece. This book is the ultimate foundation for consistency, clarity and professionalism. And from here you can add your own "house styles," guidelines that are unique to your profession or business. The return on investment on this book is tremendous.

While every editor may have his or her preferences when it comes to "which style guide" to use, you will be hard-pressed to go wrong with this text. In addition to the familiar style and usage rules writers must confront (did I just start a sentence with a preposition?), the book also contains an excellent primer on media law. IMO it should be required reading for anyone seeking work as a journalist (or anyone who reads newspapers on a daily basis). People in America not only could use a primer, they could use a couple weather-coatings too!Get a copy if you don't already own one.