AP Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law)

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The world is divided into two types of people: those who wince when they see the words Canadian geese in print, and those who don't. If you are the former, or if you are the latter working for the former, the The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual provides invaluable assistance when you need to get your Canada geese all in a row. Countless newspapers and other publications base their style guides on this manual. The entries are arranged alphabetically and include issues of spelling, punctuation (there is no period in Dr Pepper), grammar, abbreviation, capitalization (Popsicle and Dumpster are, tollhouse cookies aren't), hyphenation (none, surprisingly, in ball point pen), and frequently misused words. There are also longer discussions of things such as Arabic names, chess notation, weather terms, and religious movements. Plus you'll find separate sections on sports writing, business writing, libel, and copyright.

Book Description

Fully revised and updated, the essential handbook for all writers, editors, students, and public relations specialists.

More people write for the Associated Press than for any newspaper in the world, and writers have bought more copies of The AP Stylebook than of any other journalism reference. With this essential guide in hand, any writer can learn to communicate with the clarity and professionalism for which the Associated Press is famous. Fully revised and updated, this edition contains over 5,000 A to Z entries--including more than 50 new ones--laying out the AP's rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviation, and word and numeral usage. Comprehensive and easy to use, The AP Stylebook provides the facts and references necessary to write accurately about the world today: correct names of countries and organizations, Internet language and search techniques, language to avoid, common trademarks, and the unique guidelines for business and sports reporting. The final word on media law, The AP Stylebook also includes an invaluable section dedicated to crucial advice on how writers can guard against libel and copyright infringement. The veritable "journalist's bible," this is the one reference that working writers cannot afford to be without.

With more than 50 new entries plus updates of more than 100 others, The AP Stylebook includes such features as:
* An A to Z listing of guides to capitalization, abbreviation, spelling, numerals, and usage
* Internet guidelines
* Sports guidelines and style
* Business guidelines and style
* A guide to punctuation
* Supreme Court decisions regarding libel law
* Summary of First Amendment rules
* The right of privacy
* Copyright guidelines
* Proofreaders' marks

Customer Reviews:

Wouldn't write without it.......2007-07-28

Also know as the AP style guide, this book should be every copywriter's and journalist's bookshelf. This is the definitive guide to punctuation, grammar and writing style for magazine and newspaper articles as well as most business writing. And it is vastly different from the style of writing most of us learned in school, which follows the Chicago Manual of Style. If you are thinking about writing for magazines or newspapers, or starting a copywriting business, you absolutely must get a copy of this.

Good Introduction to AP Style.......2007-07-07

I bought this book because I had a client that used the AP Style in their marketing communication and all outgoing documentation had to be reviewed using the AP Style. Being a technical writer, I had not used the AP Style before. Now I have a better understanding of why words are used the way they are in a newspaper. However, about 20% of the AP Style does not apply to technical writing.

AP Stylebook.......2007-05-29

A must have for all print designers. Great reference material for graphic and web designers.

Wanna be a reporter? Duh........2007-02-25

If you aspire to have any sort of career in print or online journalism, you should not need a review to tell you that you need this book. Duh.

However, I am going to give this book only four stars because AP needs to stop being losers and end the silliness of capitalizing the word "Internet" or writing "website" as "Web site." It's dumb.

Great Resource.......2007-01-16

This is a great book for anyone, from an aspiring writer to the accomplished journalist. The information within is very valuable and very well organized.

The Associated Press Guide to Punctuation

Average customer rating:

The gold standard
Decent reference
Full of mistakes
Efficient and entertaining, but slim for my personal taste
A Graceful, Witty Guide to Punctuation

The Associated Press Guide to Punctuation

Manufacturer: Perseus Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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AP Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law)
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The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage : The Official Style Guide Used by the Writers and Editors of the World's Most Authoritative Newspaper
The Copyeditor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications

ASIN: 0738207853
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Book Description

From the editors at the world-renowned Associated Press, a guide to the proper use of punctuation--from the apostrophe to the semicolon.

More people write for the Associated Press than for any other news service, and more writers take their style and word-usage cues from this world-famous institution than from any other journalism source. In the no-nonsense, authoritative tradition of the best-selling AP Stylebook, the top editors at the AP have now written the definitive guide to punctuation. From the when and how of the ampersand to the rules for dashes, slashes, and brackets; from the correct moment for the overused exclamation point to the rules of engagement for the semicolon, The AP Guide to Punctuation is an invaluable and easy-to-use guide to the most important aspect of clear and persuasive writing.

Customer Reviews:

The gold standard.......2007-07-26

For journalists, the AP style guides are pretty much the gold standard (or silver, depending on your economic policy leanings). With so much terrible grammar and punctuation, and often lack of punctuation, present in today's world, this is a must-have for aspiring writers, especially journalists.

Decent reference.......2007-01-11

There's no mystery here, and it's not intended to be a grammatically pristene work of art. It is, after all, a 96-page reference manual. If you are used to writing/editing literary and academic styles and need to refresh your memory on the punctuation variables in journalistic writing, this is an easy point-to reference that won't take up any more of your precious time than absolutely necessary.

Full of mistakes.......2005-03-03

It appears that some fool edited the cautionary examples for correctness. (p. 34) The grammar is poor ("verboten" as a noun? (p. 85)), and the usage is non-standard (Commas are "trundled out"? (p.37)). Some passages are self-contradictory ("With Adjectives, p. 37).

This book is not a total disaster, but I can hardly recommend it.

Efficient and entertaining, but slim for my personal taste.......2004-05-03

Written with lively and direct prose, Rene J. Cappon's guide to punctuation succeeds in being a useful resourse for the busy journalist. No reader need fear about getting bogged down in the finer points of periods. If such a situation threatens to occur, Capon is quick to suggest a workaround. This leaves the stickiest questions even stickier, a real prickle for someone as persnickety as me. But for the journalist, or journalism student, I heartily recommend it.

To those looking for a deeper understanding of punctuation, I caution against this slim tome. Organized into seventeen chapters by punctuation, some of them no more than a half of a page ('The Ampersand') and some as many as sixteen ('The Comma'), the AP GUIDE TO PUNCTUATION lacks the philosophical depth and historical background of recent bestseller EATS, SHOOTS, & LEAVES as well as the dry grammar books of days past. The examples, while fun, are not nearly as comprehensive as one expects in any book that bills itself as a reference.

By way of example, here is the entire entry for Irregular Plurals under 'The Apostrophe':

---

Irregular plurals also take the apostrophe: children's hour, women's rights, gentlemen's traditions, men's club, and so do nouns that are the same in singular: the single moose's antlers, the deer's track, the two corps' travels. The apostrophe stays whether the meaning is singular or plural.

---

No mention is made that it is preferable to disambiguate the singular and plural in such cases. Especially in journalistic writing, where clarity and simplicity are the twin grails of good style.

A dedicated journalist might prefer a true grammar of the English language or the complete and comprehensive AP STYLE BOOK. While they may be dry, they will certainly go a good deal further in answering the questions that arise in all aspects of writing.

A Graceful, Witty Guide to Punctuation.......2003-12-11

As a professional editor for nearly two decades, I heartily recommend this book. Cappon's writing is clear, funny, and creative, and he makes the nuances of punctuation memorable. His reasoning is logical, and his explanations and examples are very helpful. Interestingly, though this is an Associated Press publication, some of the style differs from the official A.P. Stylebook. So if A.P. is your background, be aware of this.

Book Description

Written by a veteran Associated Press sports writer, this handbook arms aspiring and working sports reporters, broadcasters, and photographers with exactly what they need to know to make it to the top in the glamorous and exciting world of sports journalism. With the help of dozens of fascinating and instructive quotes and war stories, contributed by heavy hitters like Dave Goldberg, Jim Litke, Alan Robinson, Joan Ryan, and other top AP sports reporters, the book tutors readers in the core techniques and methodology of sports writing, while at the same time exploring the important professional aspects of the business: how to get started and make a name for yourself; local, national, and feature writing; how the Internet is changing the face of sports writing; and where the business is headed over the next decade.

Download Description

This handbook arms aspiring and working sports reporters, broadcasters, and photographers with exactly what they need to know to make it to the top in the glamorous and exciting world of sports journalism.

Customer Reviews:

Basic Introduction to Sports Writing.......2007-07-11

This handbook is a very basic introduction to sports writing. It's written at what appears to be a junior high/high school level for kids looking at sportscasting as a career. I was expecting something a little more comprehensive, something along the lines of an MLA styleguide...But, then again, it is "just" sports writing. Doesn't take a genius, I guess!

The Associated Press Stylebook (Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law)

Average customer rating:

Benefits more than journalists
Associated Press Stylebook

The Associated Press Stylebook (Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law)

Manufacturer: Perseus Books Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Reporting for the Media

ASIN: 046500489X

Book Description

The revised edition of the Bible of the newspaper industry.

More people write for The Associated Press than for any newspaper in the world, and writers--nearly two million of them--have bought more copies of The AP Stylebook than of any other journalism reference. It provides facts and references for reporters, and defines usage, spelling, and grammar for editors. There are separate sections for journalists specializing in sports and business, and complete guidelines for how to write photo captions, file copy over the wire, proofread text, handle copyrights, and avoid libel. This edition of The AP Stylebook keeps pace with world events, common usage, and AP procedures.

Customer Reviews:

Benefits more than journalists.......2007-09-04

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.

Associated Press Stylebook.......2007-08-23

This us a reference book. It doesn't need a review. It is excellent.

Associated Press Guide to Newswriting: The Resource for Professional Journalists

Average customer rating:

This author is the epitome of witty
Good Resource
How to avoid an attack of The Elongated Yellow Fruit
An exceptional guide to newswriting
Details, and Details about how to write well.

Associated Press Guide to Newswriting: The Resource for Professional Journalists
Cappon
Manufacturer: Arco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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AP Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law)
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How to Write Articles for Newspapers & Magazines, 2/e (Step By Step (Thomson Learning (Firm)).)
The Associated Press Stylebook (Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law)

ASIN: 0768919797

Book Description

This practical handbook is the ideal writing style guide for all reporters, writers, editors, and English and journalism students. It covers all the essentials of good news writing, according to the styles and guidelines set forth by the Associated Press -- with lively examples from today's newspapers. This authoritative guide includes:

Professional advice about crafting a good feature story

In-depth reviews of important principles in news writing

Expert guidance on writing concise, informative copy, source citations, and more.

Clear and instructive discussions of specialized styles.

Customer Reviews:

This author is the epitome of witty.......2005-03-28

Even if you're not interested in journalism - if all that you're looking for is a fun read - then pick up this book. He takes examples of good work and explains why it's good, as well as poor work and points out the deficiencies in a way this is both entertaining and enlightening. I don't agree with all of his opinions, but I very much enjoyed the book nonetheless.

Good Resource.......2004-12-09

As a college journalism minor, I found a lot of information in this book.

When the author makes the case for using "said" to attribute quotes, it does make writing the quotes into the story much easier. However, I don't like using the same word over and over again, but that's a personal thing. I do like how it makes it easier to decide how to give credit for a quote though, less guess work on the part of the writer.

The "Mixed Metaphor" section of the book was great for evaluating my personal writing.

The examples in the book are pretty good articles. I really liked "Churubusco's All Round Nice Guy". I read the story and thought that it was a little reminiscent of Anna Quindlan's style of writing, especially in her piece "Homeless".

Had I not needed this book for my journalism class, I most likely would not have bought it. However, I think that it is a good resource for those who write.

How to avoid an attack of The Elongated Yellow Fruit.......2004-05-26

"The Associated Press Guide to News Writing" makes more points in 136 pages than do most writing books four times the size. One would expect no less from a master news editor like Rene Chappon. The formula Cappon follows is to write a very brief explanation of a problem; an example of the problem; a sentence dissecting the example; a rewriting of the problem sentence; and a summary of the topic. The result is almost always memorable. Consider this typical section on The Elegant Variation (capitalized words below are italicized in the original):

***
Writers who believe that the repetition of plain words within shouting distance of each other is crude take off on synonym safaris.... It's all the more grotesque as there are few true synonyms and the author may introduce misfits:

"The mayor's task force was asked to meet with the owners of the STRUCTURES, discuss whether they wanted their BUILDINGS preserved, and recommend ways to adapt older EDIFICES to new use."

STRUCTURES could be anything and EDIFICES is too grandiose; the story concerns commercial and apartment buildings. If the author didn't want to repeat BUILDINGS, a pronoun was the way out:

"...to meet with the owners of the buildings, discuss whether they wanted THEM preserved, and recommend ways to adapt the older ones to new uses."

The same craving for daintiness will convert elephants to PACHYDERMS, dogs to CANINES, cats to FELINES, tigers to STRIPED PREDATORS and cars to VEHICLES. Petroleum becomes BLACK GOLD, snow becomes WHITE POWDER (a justly forgotten poet once called it "God's dandruff"), a banana turns into THE ELONGATED YELLOW FRUIT.
***

The benefit of this style is that Cappon's admonitions pop up unasked whenever we commit one of the sins he identifies. I find that "elongated yellow fruit" frequently superimposes itself on my more tortured prose.

An exceptional guide to newswriting.......2004-01-21

AP Guide to Newswriting would have to be the most informative and thorough book on newswriting I have come across. It is clear and concise and deserves a prominent position on every journalists bookshelf. With the excellent price tag why hesitate?
Now, if only I could get all newswriters' to follow Cappon's example. Thanks Cappon for keeping it short and sweet!

Details, and Details about how to write well........2003-06-03

I barely received my copy, and the
advice/help on being a better writer
is pretty good. One thing that stands
out in the book is the issue of vulgarity,
and that is simply a no when it comes
to writing journalism. The other areas
are well explained, and i tell any one
who is reading this small paragraph, get it,
it is worth it! It will definitely help you
get more creative with your writing, this is
like the bloom's taxonomy of writing.

Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism (Associated Press Handbooks)

Average customer rating:

Way too basic
"A Good Primer on Photojournalism (PJ)"
Decent Overview, Good for Motivational Purposes
Useless and boring...
Nice introduction book

Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism (Associated Press Handbooks)
Brian Horton
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0071363874

Book Description

Written by noted AP photographer and photoeditor Brian Horton, this is an insider’s manual to one of the most glamorous and exciting media professions. Emphasizing the creative process behind the photojournalist’s art, Brian Horton draws upon his three decades of experience, as well as the experiences of other award-winning photojournalists, to instruct readers in the secrets of snapping memorable news photos every time. With the help of more than 100 photographs from the AP archives, he analyzes what constitutes successful news photos of every type, including portraits, tableaux, sports shots, battlefield scenes, and more, as well as offering tips on how to develop a style of your own.

Customer Reviews:

Way too basic.......2006-08-15

If you are extreamly new at photography or maybe working for a high-school newspaper, this book would work well.

For anyone that is serious about hard-core photojournalism, like the professionals the book highlights, I do not recomend it.

I was looking for a book on some on ways to break into some of the big names. I just assumed that since it was an AP book.

"A Good Primer on Photojournalism (PJ)".......2006-07-17

"Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism", Brian Horton, McGraw-Hill NY, 2nd. ed. 2001, ISBN 0-07-136387-4, SC 223 pgs.

Sports photo editor at A-P since 1971, Horton has many credits including 2 books on news photography. This text explains PJ (picture story) - how a photographer "sees the story" is a skill requiring experience, insight, anticipation, inventiveness, & a passion. Often "breaking stories" are heavily covered & many photos require sensitivity, rapport, knowledge of equipment so to acquire a style using composition, cropping & those angles to communicate photo stories of news, emotions, life experiences, etc.

Horton quotes an A-P policy adopted in 1990 indicating "the content of a photograph will never be changed or manipulated in any way". Horton then goes on to recite of some widely published photos with recognized manipulations & public outcries leading to general distrust of media by the populace (& rightly so!). Indeed, even cropping can be viewed as manipulation, the latter generally a product of Madison Avenue influences that shouldn't reflect PJ integrity (need for well insulated photo editors).

Relying on "photo setups" can numb public's perceptions & lessen reality. Telephoto lenses as 80-200 zoom provides close-ups without intrusion despite an onerous sanctifying of 24 mm wide-angle to fill the frame by getting into the subject's face & personal space. Author interviews 8 pros on their perspectives & experiences in PJ & then concludes with a short summary of some changes in photography over the past half-century, namely the gradual switch from 4"x5" to 2 1/4" to 35 mm to color & now electronic (digital) imaging.

As a former newspaper photographer I'd been taught a good PJ shot did not require a title. I found Horton's book exacting, full of exciting photos, many good "how to" tips, and how PJ news photography has evolved into specialized art forms for optimum coverage of war, natural disaster, politics, crime, disease & subspecialities of certain sports as basketball, football, Olympics, Indy 500, etc. It is a pleasant, informative read, not overtly technical & fairly priced.

Decent Overview, Good for Motivational Purposes.......2006-01-11

I bought this book in hopes to satisfy my curiosity about photojournalism. I would say this book did a pretty good job of doing that. Although it doesn't address any real specifics of photojournalism, it does deliver a lot of the basic principles and general knowledge.
For what it was worth, I found this book to be an excellent read, with plenty of insights that would be valuable to any photographer, written with a very simplistic approach. I can see how ideas presented in this book could be applied to other areas of photography and not be limited to the field of photojournalism.
If you're novice photographer and looking for a technical, how-to, reference book, this is not the book for you. If you a photographer of any level, and you want to broaden your general knowledge of photojournalism, then this book would be a fine addition to your library. Also, I feel that this book could be used as a warm-up read prior to diving into the more advanced, technical books available on the topic.

Useless and boring..........2005-10-15

I am very sorry but I found this book to be totally useless and boring. I was sorry to spend money for it. There is no real insight into the world of photojournalism out of my point of view.
I'd rather suggest reading Howard Chapnicks book "Truth Needs No Ally: Inside Photojournalism" or Ken Lights "Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers". Both excellent books, worth the money and very interesting.

Nice introduction book.......2002-09-13

I bought this book since I want to become a photojournalist.
I am a photographer who has graduated a photo school few months ago. this book isn't for beginners, The little technical data may be misleading if read by a novice. Instead, it deals with content and the thinking and working process of photographers in this field. I find it as a nice introduction to the world of photojournalism,though a little "too good to be true" kind of book. The book definitely doesn't deal with the problems, the deadlines, the failures and the risks. This is like a postcard, where everything is perfect. There is a good side though, it is easily read, and very interesting. You want a more serious book, look some place else...
If you have the spare bucks though, don't hasitate and buy it!!!

Average customer rating:

Great for Extreme Journalists
Behind the Scenes of a Story

Associated Press Reporting Handbook
Jerry Schwartz
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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