AP Style

Which date is written correctly?

• We start school on Monday, Aug. 16.

• We start school on Mon, August 16.

• We start school on Monday, Aug 16th.

• We start school on Monday, August 16th, 2021.

Answer explanation

Days are written in numeral form, and never use the "-st," "-nd," "-rd" or "-th."

Capitalize and spell out days of the week. Do NOT abbreviate.

Months are always capitalized in all uses.

Months that include a date and are longer than 5 letters long are abbreviated (Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.)

Do not include the current year and don't use the words "this year"

Tags

Dates

Which sentence has the month written correctly?

• Cody was born in Aug. 2011.

• Cody was born in August, 2011.

• Cody was born in August 2011.

• I was born in Apr. 1980.

Answer explanation

Months alone and months with a year and no day are not abbreviated.

(There is no comma after the month, either).

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Dates

Which sentence uses decades correctly?

• The 1920's are often called The Roaring 20's.

• The 1920s are often called The Roaring 20's.

• The 1920's are often called The Roaring '20s.

• The 1920s are often called The Roaring '20s.

Answer explanation

For decades or centuries, use an "s" without the apostrophe.

Use the apostrophe when numbers are left out.

Tags

Dates

Which sentence writes money INCORRECTLY?

• I have $1,250 dollars now.

• By the time I retire, I hope to have over $2 million.

• I remember when sodas were only 50 cents.

• I have $1,250 now.

Answer explanation

If the monetary unit is greater than $1, it is written as numerals with the "$" in front. Do NOT write "dollars" after the number.

If the number is a million or over, it will be written with a "$" followed by the numeral and the word "million" or "billion."

If the monetary unit is less than $1, you will not use the "$." You will write the number of cents in numerals, followed by the word "cents" spelled out.

Tags

Money

Numbers

Which name and title would be correct if written by a student for the first time in the yearbook?

• Christina Truelove, Journalism teacher...

• Mrs. Truelove, Journalism teacher...

• Mrs. Christina Truelove, Journalism teacher...

• Mrs. Christina Truelove, Journalism Teacher...

Answer explanation

The first time a person is mentioned, use both their first and last name. Every time after, refer to the person's last name.

Do NOT use courtesy titles (such as "Mr.," "Mrs." or "Miss") unless it is to differentiate between two people with the same last name. EXCEPTION: Journalists in middle and high school use titles for adults.

Tags

Names and Titles

Which correctly refers to a student in the first sentence of a caption?

• ...senior Jessica Miller...

• ...Senior Jessica..

• ...senior Jessica miller...

• ...Senior Jessica miller...

Answer explanation

Do not capitalize freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, unless it's the first word in a sentence.

Tags

Names and Titles

Rules about school

Select the correctly written title.

• The journalism class interviewed their Principal.

• The journalism class interviewed principal Michael Jung.

• The interview was conducted by Editor-in-Chief Diana Rosas.

• Mrs. Truelove is their Advisor.

Answer explanation

Capitalize titles used directly before a name, but not if used without a name.

Tags

Names and Titles

Which sentence has numbers written INCORRECTLY?

• Most teachers at NFHS have seven classes each day.

• I went to the store and bought 6 shirts.

• Twenty students signed up to volunteer at the animal shelter last weekend.

• February only has 28 days when it isn't a leap year.

Answer explanation

Numbers one through nine are spelled out and 10+ are written as numerals. UNLESS it is the start of a sentence. If the number is the first word, spell it out regardless.

Tags

Numbers

Which shows the ordinal number written correctly?

• I came in 3rd place in the tournament.

• We were in the eleventh row at the concert.

• She is ranked 23rd in her class.

• 16th birthdays are important.

Answer explanation

First through ninth are spelled out, whereas 10th and higher are numerals EXCEPT if it is the first word of a sentence. First words are spelled out regardless.

Tags

Numbers

Which sentence uses numbers INCORRECTLY?

• The Talon is made in Room 232.

• Mr. Jung's picture can be seen on Page 7 of this book.

• The most famous scene in "Romeo and Juliet" is Act II, Scene II.

• Thanks a million!

Answer explanation

Capitalize words used with a numeral.

Use Arabic figures (numbers) and capitalize acts of plays.

Spell out numbers in expressions.

Tags

Numbers