AP switch -- state names will now be spelled out

[MileHigh]

Is someone at AP drunk or just trying to justify their existence? Effective May 1, state names in will be spelled out in the body of stories.

But you'll still need to know the abbreviations as it does not affect datelines.

So get ready for fun copy such as: "He was traveling from Nashville, Tennessee, to Austin, Texas, en route to his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico."

http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/249142/ap-tells-reporters-spell-out-names-of-states-in-stories/

 

[Liut]

I may be schooled for stating it, but I've pretty much thrown in the towel and stick to what I originally was taught when it comes to the basics.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Spelling out state names (and acronyms!) is standard editing policy at my electronic publishing and data management employer. It's all aimed at the idea of Web searching for stories, not reading them. Machines need things spelled out.

 

[MileHigh]

Spelling out state names (and acronyms!) is standard editing policy at my electronic publishing and data management employer. It's all aimed at the idea of Web searching for stories, not reading them. Machines need things spelled out.

So why are there some exceptions in this memo? Don't spell it out in datelines, but do in copy. Unless the copy is doing a political affiliation of a person, then shorten it.

 

[MisterCreosote]

Anything to take focus off their increasingly ****ty writing and shoddy reporting.

 

[Steak Snabler]

We now spell out state names in datelines, even when they are in our own state. But doing so in the body copy seems kind of pointless.

 

[MileHigh]

This should also mean no more "The AP" in copy. Always spell out "The Associated Press." Also, no more abbreviating of sports leagues, including the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and of course the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

 

[lantaur]

It is days like these that I really miss Craig Stanke (SF_Express).

 

[HanSenSE]

Spelling out state names (and acronyms!) is standard editing policy at my electronic publishing and data management employer. It's all aimed at the idea of Web searching for stories, not reading them. Machines need things spelled out.

Much like the name of the sport has to be part of a cutline, ie "San Francisco Giants Matt Cain throws during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies ..." It's all about web hits.

 

[Double J]

I may be schooled for stating it, but I've pretty much thrown in the towel and stick to what I originally was taught when it comes to the basics.

Same here.

 

[MisterCreosote]

According to the memo on Romenesko:

The change is being made to be consistent in our style for domestic and international stories. International stories have long spelled out state names in the body of stories.

That's because they're international stories. Is it too much to expect that the domestic readership might be a tad more familiar with the states?

It reminds me of their style change to include the president's first name to be "consistent" with international style, as if any readers anywhere might confuse President Barack Obama with, well, no one in particular.

 

[trifectarich]

Just what I needed, another reason to use my stylebook as a jam to keep my office door open.

 

[TopSpin]

Hopefully reporters enjoy the trip from Kansas City, Kansas, to Kansas City, Missouri, and then to Columbia, Missouri, before returning to Kansas City, Kansas. When on cruise control, the total traveling time is "over" six hours.

 

[FileNotFound]

Given the number of people I know (smart, well-educated non-journalists) who don't know the difference between Miss. and Mo., I think this is a good thing for readers.

 

[Flip Wilson]

And TV listings will need to list all the games that will be on the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network package of channels.

 

[doctorx]

I just hope AP continues to place "Florida" after obscure cities like Tampa and Orlando.

 

[HanSenSE]

I just hope AP continues to place "Florida" after obscure cities like Tampa and Orlando.

Understand a lot of big fights coming to Las Vegas, New Mexico as well.

 

[playthrough]

Embarrassing. Does someone at the AP get paid by the letter?

 

[JayFarrar]

I just hope AP continues to place "Florida" after obscure cities like Tampa and Orlando.

Understand a lot of big fights coming to Las Vegas, New Mexico as well.

Paris, Texas; Paris, Arkansas; Paris, Tennessee; and Paris, Illinois all breathed a collective sigh of relief.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

If the AP ever did a story on former pro wrestler Lance Storm, they would say he was from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. And not only would they be accurate, they'd be talking about his former gimmick.