about
Like “more than” and “less than,” this is an acceptable replacement for the words “over” and “under.” This should also be used instead of “around” when estimating numbers.
academic degrees
Avoid abbreviations. Spell them out: bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate. Use B.A., M.A., LL.D. and Ph.D only when identifying multiple people or in quotes.
acres
Always use numerals. Also: The property is 8 acres, but it is an 8-acre property.
acronyms
Do not use any acronym that would not be readily identifiable to your reader. FBI, MARTA, GDOT are examples of readily identifiable acronyms. Do NOT use acronyms such as BOC, BOE, CHOA, etc. that are well known to you but may not be to your reader.
It is never proper to put an acronym in parentheses after the first reference is spelled out. If the acronym needs to be placed in parentheses it is a good sign that the acronym does not need to be used in the story.
To avoid these acronyms, use words. Instead of CVB on second reference use “the bureau.” Instead of “BOC” use “the commission,” “commissioners,” “the board,” etc. Exercise clarity over convenience.
ages
Always use figures. Do not spell out.
allege
Use with extreme care. Avoid any suggestion that the writer is making an allegation. Specify the source of an allegation. In a criminal case, it should be an arrest record, an indictment or the statement of a public official connected with the case. Use “alleged bribe” or similar phrases when necessary to make it clear that an unproven action is not being treated as fact. Alternative words include “apparent,” “ostensible,” “reportedly” or “reputed.”
a lot
Never use this in news copy. It is too vague and informal for publication. It can only be used in a direct quote.
ampersand (&)
Use only when part of a company’s formal name.
around
When estimating numbers do not use “around” as it can be taken literally to mean encompassing something. Instead, use “about.”
Incorrect: “The city’s budget is around $50 million.”
Correct: “The city’s budget is about $50 million.”
Attribution
Facts that are easily verifiable, such as items on a source’s resume’, do not need to be attributed. Information that we cannot verify, such as feelings, intentions, plans, etc. needs to be attributed to a source.
Incorrect: Wells attended The University of Georgia, where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism, she said.
Correct: Wells attended The University of Georgia, where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Incorrect: Cordell plans to retire near the ocean.
Correct: Cordell said he plans to retire near the ocean.
If there is reason to doubt the accuracy of a source’s information, but there is no way to verify it, the information also needs to be attributed.
Incorrect: 75 percent of residents agree with the mayor.
Correct: According to the mayor, 75 percent of residents agree with him.
brackets
Use for clarifications to a quote. Replace the unclear words. Use sparingly, as brackets can inadvertently put words in a source’s mouth.
Original: “I will release it by the end of the week,” Byrne said.
Modified: “I will release [the report] by the end of the week,” Byrne said.
brand names
When brand names are used, capitalize them. Brand names should normally be used only when they are essential to a story. Watch out for brand names that have become household words such as: Kleenex, Band-Aid, Velcro. Use the generic term unless the writer is certain the brand name is the product being used. Ex: Do not write in a cutline “Oglethorpe University senior Gloria Love throws a Frisbee” unless you are certain the disc being thrown is an actual Frisbee product.
Additional examples:
Tissue paper instead of Kleenex
Bandage instead of Band-Aid
Fastener instead of Velcro
bullet points
Put a period after each bulled item.
buyback
One word when writing about a program.
cell tower
Not “cell phone tower.”
cents
Spell out the word cents and lowercase, using numerals for amounts less than a dollar: 5 cents, 12 cents. Use the $ sign and decimal system for larger amounts: $1.01, $2.50.
chairman, chairwoman, chair, co-chair
Capitalize as a formal title before a name: company Chairman Vince McMahon, committee Chairwoman Karen Handel.
Do not capitalize as a casual, temporary position: meeting chairman Bob Hagan.
Do not use chairperson or chair unless it is an organization’s formal title for an office.
Co-chair is acceptable in situations where the office holders are different genders.
cities
Follow AP style on large cities. In addition, do not include the state name with the following well-known regional cities: Birmingham, Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville.
city council
Capitalize when the full name of the body is used: Dunwoody City Council. Lowercase, when used without the name of the city: “the city council.”
Clarifications
Clarifications are run when the publication’s information was correct, but a dispute arises with a source about the meaning or intent. These follow the same format as corrections.
college names
Always spell out the name of the college on first reference. On second reference, defer to the local usage. Technical colleges are an exception.
Examples: University of Georgia on first reference, UGA on second. Oglethorpe University on first, Oglethorpe on second. Georgia Perimeter College on first reference, GPC on second. Emory University on first, Emory on second. Georgia State University on first, Georgia State on second. Georgia Southern University on first, Georgia Southern on second.
Congressperson identification
For U.S. Representatives from Georgia, we spell everything out for our readers. Ex: Johnny Isakson, a Republican from Roswell who represents Georgia’s 4th District. For Senators it is simpler, but still spell it all out. Ex: Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat.
contractions
Don’t use ’em. Unless it is in a quote or used in informal contexts.
Example: Ellis did not comment on the fire. “I don’t want to talk about that,” Ellis said.
Corrections
Corrections are run sparingly when the publication has made a legitimate and verified mistake.
Online: When correcting an article online, first change the content to make the article correct. Then place a correction in the corrections box. Do not repeat the original mistake in the correction.
Ex: In an earlier version of this article, Joan Durbin’s name was misspelled.
CPR
Acceptable on all references for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
dates
Use the day of the week by itself if the event occurred within a week before or will occur within a week after the current date.. Otherwise, use the month and date. Do not use “on” before a date or day of the week when its absence would not lead to confusion. For stories on events, reference the date before the time.
dates, multiple
Use the following format: June 21 to 23, not June 21-23. Use of “through” is also acceptable when necessary.
days of the week
Always spell out, never abbreviate.
deliveryman
one word.
DFACS
not DFCS for Department of Family and Children Services. The department name should still be spelled out on first reference.
die, died
Do not use “passed away” or other euphemisms.
districts
For commissioners or representatives in a district system, use District 1, District 2, etc.
emailed quotes
Treat interviews by email the same as a phone conversation if the reporter asked specific questions and the source provided answers. Ex: “he said.” However, if the source refuses to take part in a phone interview, or only sends general comments on an issue, use “said in a statement.” It is not necessary to say “said in an email” unless it is relevant to the story. Ex: “I have absolutely no use for email and do not even own a computer,” the mayor said in an email.
Ending stories with quotes
Try to avoid ending news stories with quotes. It is better to end with a fact or the next step in the process than to end with a quote. If you do choose to end a story with a quote, it needs to be a quote that serves a purpose and is placed at the end of the story for a good reason. You should not end a story with a quote just because it was the easiest way to end the story.
Facebook
Capitalize. FB is unacceptable on second reference. Avoid using it as a verb.
farmers market
No apostrophe.
Federal seats
6th Congressional District, not “District 6” when referring to the federal U.S. seat.
fiscal year
Avoid if possible in budget stories. If necessary spell out on first reference and refer to only the year on subsequent references. Do not use FY, use “budget” or “the budget” instead.
fractions
Spell out amounts less than one using hyphens: one-third, three-sixteenths. Use figures for precise amounts larger than one, converting to decimals whenever practical.
Fulton County School System
use this name in all stories relating to the school system in Fulton County. Fulton County School System is the official name, despite how the school system is represented in its logo. “Fulton Schools” may be used in direct quotes. Never use FCSS.
fundraising, fundraiser
One word in all cases.
GED
Acceptable on all references for General Educational Development tests.
general assembly
Capitalize Georgia General Assembly. Do not capitalize general assembly by itself.
heights
use figures and spell out inches and feet to indicate height: “The suspect was described as 6-feet, 5-inches tall.”
House Bill
Give house bills a name so readers are able to understand the contents of the bill. We still need to give the bill number, but we also need a descriptor. For example, “Fulton County property tax freeze bill” or “Fulton county reform bills” or “Milton County bill.” If state legislators or other media sources have already given the bill a name, defer to that name so it is familiar to readers. Spell out house bill on first reference, abbreviate on second. (House Bill 21) (HB 21)
jargon
The special vocabulary and idioms of a particular class or occupational group.
Avoid jargon. When it is appropriate in a special context, include an explanation of any words likely to be unfamiliar to most readers. Do not simply take what you are given by government officials and reprint it on the page. Ask sources to explain complex issues in layman’s terms and take time to make sure the concepts presented in articles will be clear to the average reader.
junior, senior
Abbreviate as Jr. and Sr. only with full names of people or animals. Do not precede by a comma: Vince McMahon Jr.
local highways, interstates
As a local news organization we need to use the common road names in our areas and not the common AP Style names. Use what you most commonly hear in the community when referencing roads.
Examples: I-285, I-85, Ga. 400, Highway 9, Spaghetti Junction.
MARTA
Abbreviate in all references. Readers know MARTA, they do not know Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.
meetings
Never begin a meeting story by telling the reader what happened at the meeting. Generally, if the reader wanted to hear about the meeting or the voting procedure, the reader would have attended the meeting. Instead, begin meeting stories with how the decision being reported on will impact the reader. When covering meeting stories focus on issues not the meeting itself.
Incorrect: “The Hiram City Council approved new water restrictions at last night’s city council meeting.”
Correct: “Hiram residents will have to consult a calendar prior to washing their cars due to new water restrictions enacted by the Hiram City Council.”
millage rate
In headlines and on first reference in a story, use “property tax” or “property tax rate” when referring to the millage rate. When the phrase “millage rate” is used it needs to be clear in the story that this rate determines property taxes.
names
Full names of individuals are given on their first mention in the article; after that, only last names are used.
next, last, this
Use next and last to distinguish between months and years, but not for days of the week. Using the year instead of next or last is also acceptable.
Example: “next year,” “last week,” “later this year,” but not “last Wednesday,” “next Tuesday,” or “this Wednesday.”
numbers
Use the word if it is fewer than 10, starting a sentence or used casually (“thanks a million”). Otherwise, use numerals. Spell out the first through ninth. Starting with 10th, use figures. When large numbers must be spelled out, use a hyphen to connect a word ending in y to another word; do not use commas (one hundred forty-seven). Always use figures for percentages and ages, or when it is included in the official or standard name. Act 1, Scene 2, A 5-year-old girl. The 1980s, the ’80s. I have 1,000 cats. 5 cents. 1 percent. Three. 12. But: Twelve men died.
officer, police
Lowercase officer before a rank-and-file member of the department. Police officer N.M. Price.
on
Do not use before a date or day of the week. Ex: “The meeting will be held Monday. He will be inaugurated Jan. 20. Include the “on” to separate proper noun and day of the week. “He will come to Oglethorpe University on Monday.”
passive voice
Avoid using the passive voice unless absolutely necessary. Passive voice removes responsibility from people and organizations and puts it on inanimate objects or concepts.
Correct: “The city council voted to ban dog walking between noon and 4 p.m.”
Incorrect: “The decision was made to ban dog walking between noon and 4 p.m.”
Correct: “The school board put the repairs on the back burner for two years.”
Incorrect: “The repairs had been put on the back burner.”
people
This is vague. Be more specific by using terms such as attendees, residents, etc.
Phase
Use Phase I, II, III, etc. when referring to the stages of a construction project.
phone numbers
We use parentheses and dashes. Ex: (404) 965-6057
possessives
For plural nouns not ending in s, add s: “women’s rights.” For plural nouns ending in s, add only an apostrophe: “the girls’ toys.” For nouns plural in form but singular in meaning, add only an apostrophe: “mathematics’ rules.” For nouns the same in singular and plural, treat them as plurals: “the two deer’s tracks,” “the one moose’s antlers.” For singular common nouns ending in s, add just the apostrophe: “the hostess’ invitation.” For singular proper names ending in s, use only an apostrophe: “Achilles’ heel.” Use a possessive after only the last words if ownership is joint: “Fred and Sylvia’s apartment.
Summary: If it ends s, add an apostrophe only.
press conference
Use news conference.
press release
Use news release or statement instead. Ex: “I am not amused, in fact, I am highly disappointed,” Mary Cosgrove said in a statement.
quote review
In general, it is not our policy to let sources review quotes. Allowing sources to review quotes undermines the practice of journalism by allowing sources to negotiate what goes in print. If a source is concerned about giving a quote, they can e-mail a statement or answer questions via e-mail. Once a quote is on the record, it remains on the record. If a reporter is uncertain about a quote, they can call and read the quote back to the source to check for accuracy, but not to allow the source an opportunity to re-phrase what they said. We also do not allow sources to review entire stories. On rare occasions, a reporter can e-mail an excerpt of a highly technical part of a story to a source for clarification. Ex: Budget stories with technical information that could be incorrect if not written precisely.
Realtor
The term real estate agent is preferred. Use Realtor only if there is a reason to indicate that the individual is a member of the National Association of Realtors.
room numbers
Use figures and capitalize room when used with a figure: “City Hall, Room 301.”
schools
Use the full name of the school on first reference. On subsequent references, drop the type of school. Ex: First reference: Meadowcreek High School; Second reference: Meadowcreek. Avoid: Meadowcreek High, Dunwoody Elementary, etc.
school years
Use the format “2014-15 school year” when necessary in school stories. Use it one time and then refer to it in generic terms on subsequent references.
Senate Bill
Give senate bills a name so readers are able to understand the contents of the bill. We still need to give the bill number, but we also need a descriptor. For example, “Fulton County property tax freeze bill” or “Fulton county reform bills” or “Milton County bill.” If state legislators or other media sources have already given the bill a name, defer to that name so it is familiar to readers. If the senate is taking up a bill passed by the house, use the same moniker. Spell out on first reference, abbreviate on second. (Senate Bill 21) (SB 21)
Sept. 11
Only use 9/11 in headlines.
single quotes
Single quotes are used instead of quotation marks in hammerheads, headlines and cutlines.
SPLOST
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax on first reference. SPLOST is acceptable in headlines. Refer to as a 1 percent sales tax, not a 1-cent sales tax unless used in a quote.
state legislators
The format for identifying state legislators is as follows: District 46 State Representative Jan Jones, a Republican from Milton
teacher of the year
Don’t capitalize.
technical colleges
Georgia Tech, Gwinnett Tech, DeKalb Tech on all references.
that
Omit if the sentence makes sense without it. This will apply in most instances.
theater, theatre
Use it as it appears in the proper name, but in all other cases, use theater.
time
8 p.m., not 8:00 p.m; 7:45 a.m., not a quarter to 8.
titles
On first reference, give a person’s full title, and first and last names. Upon subsequent references, only give the last name. In general, confine capitalization to formal titles used directly before an individual’s name. This applies to both paid and volunteer positions.
titles of artistic works
Put quotation marks around all titles.
various
Vague. Do not use.