In AP Style States names should be spelled out when they stand alone but abbreviated when paired with a city name. Certain states, however, are never abbreviated, and there are specific rules for formatting in datelines.

According to AP Style, you should not abbreviate the names of 50 states when standing alone within sentences. In this case, you should always spell out the whole word.

For example,

• He is applying for a job in Virginia.

• The University of Georgia is the oldest university in Georgia.

AP Style States in Datelines:

Mostly in datelines, the city is followed by the state in which that state is located whereas the city is written in capital letters. For example,

1. BOGOTA, Colombia, June 29

Abbreviations

A state name should be abbreviated when it is mentioned with the city. A comma should be placed between the city and the state, and another comma after the state name as well.

For example,

You should visit Miami, Fla., which is very close to my heart.

> Following are the abbreviations for each state.

• Alabama: Ala.
• Arizona: Ariz.
• Arkansas: Ark.
• California: Calif.
• Colorado: Colo.
• Connecticut: Conn.
• Delaware: Del.
• Florida: Fla.
• Georgia: Ga.
• Illinois: Ill.
• Indiana: Ind.
• Kansas: Kan.
• Kentucky: Ky.
• Louisiana: La.
• Maryland: Md.
• Massachusetts: Mass.
• Michigan: Mich.
• Minnesota: Minn.
• Mississippi: Miss
• Missouri: Mo.
• Montana: Mont.
• Nebraska: Neb.
• Nevada: Nev.
• New Hampshire: N.H.
• New Jersey: N.J.
• Mexico: N.M.
• New York: N.Y.
• North Carolina: N.C.
• North Dakota: N.D.
• Oklahoma: Okla.
• Oregon: Ore.
• Pennsylvania: Pa.
• Rhode Island: R.I.
• South Carolina: S.C.
• South Dakota: S.D.
• Tennessee: Tenn.
• Vermont: Vt.
• Virginia: Va.
• Washington: Wash.
• West Virginia: W.Va.
• Wisconsin: Wis.
• Wyoming: Wyo.

An Important Point:

The following eight states can never be abbreviated.

• Alaska
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Maine
• Ohio
• Texas
• Utah

I hope from the above discussion, you are now clear with AP Style states.

Check Out: How Do We Write United States In AP Style?

AP Style States That Are Never Abbreviated

In AP Style, eight states are exceptions to the rule and should never be abbreviated. These states are typically shorter and easily recognizable, which makes their full names manageable in text. The list includes:

1. Alaska
2. Hawaii
3. Idaho
4. Iowa
5. Maine
6. Ohio
7. Texas
8. Utah

These states are not abbreviated because their names are short and don’t cause confusion when spelled out. For example:

• Correct: “She lives in Iowa and works for a local company.”
• Correct: “The Maine coast is known for its lighthouses.”

Abbreviating any of these states would be incorrect, even when paired with a city. For instance:

• Incorrect: “He’s from Tex. and moved to New York.”
• Incorrect: “She traveled to Ut. for the conference.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing State Names

Writing state names in AP Style can be tricky, especially with the rules surrounding abbreviations and exceptions. Here are some common mistakes to watch for:Using Postal Abbreviations Instead of AP Style

Postal abbreviations (e.g., “CA” for California, “NY” for New York) are sometimes confused with AP abbreviations. AP Style uses two-letter abbreviations but not those used by the U.S. Postal Service. For example:

• Incorrect (Postal): “She lives in CA.”
• Correct (AP): “She lives in Calif.“Remember, postal abbreviations are only used for addresses, not in regular text.

Abbreviating States That Should Not Be Abbreviated

As mentioned earlier, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas, and Utah should never be abbreviated. A common mistake is to abbreviate these states in an effort to save space or make the writing appear more streamlined.

• Incorrect: “She’s traveling to Tex. for a meeting.”
• Correct: “She’s traveling to Texas for a meeting.”

Forgetting the Comma Between the City and State

When a city is paired with a state, always place a comma between them. This mistake often arises in casual writing or when someone tries to simplify the format.

• Incorrect: “I’m going to Miami Fla.”
• Correct: “I’m going to Miami, Fla.”Additionally, always place a comma after the state name. For example:
• Correct: “The event is taking place in Orlando, Fla., this weekend.”

Using the Abbreviation with a State That Should Be Fully Written Out

Another mistake is abbreviating states that AP Style requires to be fully written out. For instance, Georgia is never abbreviated when used alone, but some writers mistakenly abbreviate it as Ga. without following AP rules.

• Incorrect: “They moved to Ga. last year.”
• Correct: “They moved to Georgia last year.”

Abbreviating with Non-Standard Forms

Some abbreviations, such as using three-letter forms, are not appropriate for AP Style. Always use the approved two-letter abbreviations (e.g., Mass. for Massachusetts, not Mass or Massach.).

• Incorrect: “He’s from Massach.“
• Correct: “He’s from Mass.“

What Did You Learn?

Key points include never abbreviating certain states like Texas and Hawaii, avoiding postal abbreviations in regular text, and ensuring correct punctuation when pairing cities with states.

In AP Style, the names of months are capitalized, with specific rules for when to abbreviate them. Only six months, Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., and Dec., can be abbreviated when paired with a specific date, while the rest must be spelled out.

The first and foremost point to remember is that you should capitalize the names of months.

For example,

June 15

August 2017

Jan. 5

Abbreviate: You can abbreviate the following months.

• Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec.

These months can be abbreviated when a specific date (figure) is mentioned. Otherwise, you should spell out the whole word.

For example,

• It’s Feb. 3
• Today is Friday, Feb. 3, 2017
• My favorite month is November.

Don’t Abbreviate: You cannot abbreviate the following months.

• March, April, May, June, and July. For example, June 10, May 15, etc.

Check Out: What Is The Abbreviation For Months?

Important Point to Remember:

If you are referring a month with a year (i.e. no specific date) then, none of the month should be abbreviated. Plus, you don’t have to set off commas with the year.

For example,

• It’s February 2017.
• Waiting for October 2018.

When to Abbreviate Month Names in AP Style

In AP Style, abbreviating month names is acceptable, but it’s important to know when and how to use them. Months can be abbreviated only when they are followed by a specific date (a number). The months that can be abbreviated are:

• January becomes Jan.
• February becomes Feb.
• August becomes Aug.
• September becomes Sept.
• October becomes Oct.
• December becomes Dec.

These months should be abbreviated only in cases where they are paired with a numerical date. For example:

• Correct: “The meeting will be held on Jan. 5.”
• Correct: “He graduated in Sept. 2019.”

Do not abbreviate the months when there is no specific date attached. For example:

• Incorrect: “In Jan., we saw a significant increase in sales.”
• Correct: “In January, we saw a significant increase in sales.”

Months That Should Never Be Abbreviated

There are five months in AP Style that should never be abbreviated, regardless of the context. These months should always be written out in full:

• March
• April
• May
• June
• July

These months are relatively short and are considered to be easily recognizable, so there is no need for abbreviation. For example:

• Correct: “The event will take place in March.”
• Correct: “We are planning a vacation in July.”

Avoid abbreviating these months under any circumstances:

• Incorrect: “The conference will be held in Mar.“
• Correct: “The conference will be held in March.”

Formatting Months with Years in AP Style

When a month is paired with a year but not a specific date, do not abbreviate the month name. The year should always follow the month, and no commas are used between them.

For example:

• Correct: “We will start the project in February 2023.”
• Correct: “She moved to the city in October 2019.”

However, if the month is paired with a specific date, the month should be abbreviated, and the date should come immediately after. For example:

• Correct: “The conference will be held on Feb. 10, 2023.”
• Correct: “The report is due by Oct. 15, 2022.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Month Names

Abbreviating Months That Should Not Be Abbreviated

A common mistake is attempting to abbreviate months like March, April, June, and July, which should always be written out in full. For example:

Incorrect: “The festival will take place in Jun.“

Correct: “The festival will take place in June.”

Using Commas with Years When the Month Isn’t Abbreviated

Another mistake is placing a comma between the month and year when there’s no specific date. This is incorrect in AP Style. You should not use commas when only the month and year are mentioned.

Incorrect: “We are launching the campaign in February, 2023.”

Correct: “We are launching the campaign in February 2023.”

Inconsistent Use of Abbreviations

When writing about months, it’s important to be consistent. If you decide to abbreviate the month (e.g., Jan.), do so for every instance where it is used with a date. Don’t mix abbreviations and full names within the same document unless the context requires it.

Incorrect: “We met in March and the event will be held in Sept.“

Correct: “We met in March and the event will be held in Sept.“

Abbreviating Months in Headlines or Subheadings Without a Date

Avoid abbreviating months in headlines unless a specific date is mentioned. If you’re referring to just the month in the headline, always spell it out. For example:

Incorrect: “New Features Released in Sept. Update”

Correct: “New Features Released in September Update”

What Did You Learn?

We learned that months like January, February, August, September, October, and December can be abbreviated when paired with a specific date, while others, like March, April, June, and July, must always be written out. Additionally, months paired with years should not be abbreviated

AP Style datelines are used to specify the location and date at the beginning of a news article. The city is capitalized, followed by the state or country, with specific rules for abbreviations and cities that stand alone without state names.

What AP Style Datelines Suggests?

Dateline is a line at the beginning of a news article that depicts when and where the article has been written.

According to AP Style, datelines that include the name of the city should be written in capital letters. Mostly, the city is followed by the state in which that particular city is located.

For example,

1. BOGOTA, Colombia, June 29

However, the AP Style mentions some cities, after which you don’t have to write out the name of its state. Those cities are,

• ATLANTA
• BALTIMORE
• BOSTON
• CHICAGO
• CINCINNATI
• CLEVELAND
• DALLAS
• DENVER
• DETROIT
• HONOLULU
• HOUSTON
• INDIANAPOLIS
• LAS VEGAS
• LOS ANGELES
• MIAMI
• MILWAUKEE
• MINNEAPOLIS
• NEW ORLEANS
• NEW YORK
• OKLAHOMA CITY
• PHILADELPHIA
• PHOENIX
• PITTSBURGH
• ST. LOUIS
• SALT LAKE CITY
• SAN ANTONIO
• SAN DIEGO
• SAN FRANCISCO
• SEATTLE
• WASHINGTON

International Locations

AP Style suggests that the international locations such as AMSTERDAM, BAGHDAD, BANGKOK, BEIJING, BEIRUT, BERLIN, BRUSSELS, CAIRO, DJIBOUTI, DUBLIN, GENEVA, GIBRALTAR, GUATEMALA CITY, HAVANA, HELSINKI, HONG KONG, ISLAMABAD, MEXICO CITY, MILAN, MONACO, MONTREAL, MOSCOW, MUNICH, NEW DELHI, PANAMA CITY, PARIS, PRAGUE, QUEBEC CITY, RIO DE JANEIRO, ROME, SAN MARINO, SAO PAULO, SHANGHAI, SINGAPORE, ISTANBUL, JERUSALEM, JOHANNESBURG, KUWAIT CITY, LONDON, LUXEMBOURG, MACAU, MADRID, STOCKHOLM, SYDNEY, TOKYO, TORONTO, VATICAN CITY, VIENNA, and ZURICH always stand alone in datelines.

Use of Abbreviations

You should abbreviate the following state names in datelines.

• Alabama: Ala.
• Arizona: Ariz.
• Arkansas: Ark.
• California: Calif.
• Colorado: Colo.
• Connecticut: Conn.
• Delaware: Del.
• Florida: Fla.
• Georgia: Ga.
• Illinois: Ill.
• Indiana: Ind.
• Kansas: Kan.
• Kentucky: Ky.
• Louisiana: La.
• Maryland: Md.
• Massachusetts: Mass.
• Michigan: Mich.
• Minnesota: Minn.
• Mississippi: Miss
• Missouri: Mo.
• Montana: Mont.
• Nebraska: Neb.
• Nevada: Nev.
• New Hampshire: N.H.
• New Jersey: N.J.
• New Mexico: N.M.
• New York: N.Y.
• North Carolina: N.C.
• North Dakota: N.D.
• Oklahoma: Okla.
• Oregon: Ore.
• Pennsylvania: Pa.
• Rhode Island: R.I.
• South Carolina: S.C.
• South Dakota: S.D.
• Tennessee: Tenn.
• Vermont: Vt.
• Virginia: Va.
• Washington: Wash.
• West Virginia: W.Va.
• Wisconsin: Wis.
• Wyoming: Wyo.

When to Use Abbreviations in Datelines

In AP Style, abbreviations are commonly used in datelines for U.S. states, but they are not used universally. The main purpose of abbreviations is to make the dateline more concise while maintaining clarity. Here’s how and when to use abbreviations:

1. Abbreviating U.S. States

In a dateline, state names are abbreviated when they appear after a city. These abbreviations should be used only when the city and state are listed together. There are specific abbreviations for U.S. states, and AP Style dictates which states should be abbreviated.

For example:

• MESA, Ariz. (Arizona is abbreviated as “Ariz.”)
• BOSTON, Mass. (Massachusetts is abbreviated as “Mass.”)
• LOS ANGELES, Calif. (California is abbreviated as “Calif.”)
• TAMPA, Fla. (Florida is abbreviated as “Fla.”)

Check Out: How To Write United States in AP Style?

2. States That Should Never Be Abbreviated

Eight U.S. states are exceptions to this rule and should never be abbreviated in a dateline, whether they appear alone or with a city. These are: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas, and Utah.

For example:

• DALLAS, Texas (Texas is never abbreviated)
• DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa is never abbreviated)

3. Abbreviating Cities and States in Datelines

Remember, abbreviations should only be used in datelines when the city and state are together. If a state name appears by itself or with a year, it should always be written out in full.

For example:

• WASHINGTON (state) – Washington is not abbreviated in the body text of a news article.
• DENVER, Colo. (Colorado is abbreviated as “Colo.”)

4. The Use of Country Names

For international cities, no abbreviations are used in datelines. Cities like Paris, Tokyo, or Beijing do not require state or country abbreviations in the dateline.

Check Out: How To Write State Names In AP Style.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with AP Style Datelines

Datelines are one of the most crucial parts of journalistic writing, as they establish the location and time context of the article. However, several mistakes can undermine the clarity and professionalism of the dateline. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:

1. Using the Wrong State Abbreviations

One of the most common mistakes is using incorrect or outdated state abbreviations. AP Style has specific abbreviations for states, and using the wrong abbreviation can confuse the reader. For example:

• Incorrect: BOSTON, MA (MA is for Massachusetts, but it’s not in AP Style)
• Correct: BOSTON, Mass.

2. Forgetting to Capitalize the City Name

The name of the city in a dateline should always be capitalized. A common mistake is to write the city name in lowercase or improper case.

• Incorrect: miami, Fla.
• Correct: MIAMI, Fla.

3. Omitting Commas in the Dateline

Another frequent mistake is failing to place the proper commas. In AP Style, there are specific rules for punctuation in datelines. A comma should always be placed between the city and the state abbreviation, as well as after the state.

• Incorrect: MIAMI Fla. June 29
• Correct: MIAMI, Fla., June 29

4. Using Full State Names When Not Required

While full state names should be used when they appear alone or with a year, the dateline format requires abbreviations for most U.S. states. A mistake is to use the full name of a state when it should be abbreviated.

• Incorrect: TAMPA, Florida, June 29
• Correct: TAMPA, Fla., June 29

5. Abbreviating States That Shouldn’t Be Abbreviated

The eight U.S. states that should never be abbreviated—Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas, and Utah—should be spelled out in a dateline. A common mistake is to abbreviate them.

• Incorrect: ANCHORAGE, AK, June 29 (should be “Alaska”)
• Correct: ANCHORAGE, Alaska, June 29

6. Incorrect Punctuation in International Datelines

In AP Style, international cities are listed with no state abbreviation, but writers may mistakenly add unnecessary commas or abbreviations after the city name. Always remember that international cities stand alone without a state name or abbreviation.

• Incorrect: LONDON, U.K. (Don’t abbreviate the country in this case)
• Correct: LONDON, June 29

What Did You Learn?

Key points to remember include capitalizing city names, using state abbreviations when appropriate, and recognizing the exceptions for certain U.S. states and international locations.

AP Style dictates specific rules for writing dates to maintain consistency and clarity. This includes using numerals for dates without ordinal suffixes and following guidelines for abbreviating months and referring to decades.

How To Write Dates in AP Style

According to AP Style, you should not use ordinal numbers for dates. You should always use figures or numerals (i.e. without st, nd, th, or rd).

For example,

• July 10th (Wrong)

• July 10 (Correct)

Furthermore, if a specific date is mentioned, then you can abbreviate the following months.

• Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec.

However, March, April, May, June and July should not be abbreviated.

For example,

1. Today is Friday, Feb. 3, 2017

2. It’s February 2017

3. July 3, 2017

4. Dec. 4

5. January is one of my favorite months.

Furthermore, you cannot use an apostrophe in references like 1900s or 1600s etc. However, an apostrophe is only needed in the references like ‘90s or ‘80s.

For example,

• The decade of the Gregorian calendar began in the 1900s.

• The ‘80s were the famous time because it was about peace and love.

When to Use Figures for Dates in AP Style

In AP Style, dates should always be written using figures, without the addition of ordinal indicators like “st,” “nd,” “rd,” or “th.” For example, you should write “July 10” instead of “July 10th.”

The use of figures ensures clarity and consistency in written content. Additionally, when referring to months with specific days, abbreviate months like January, February, August, September, October, November, and December only when the day is included. For example:

• Correct: “The event is scheduled for Dec. 5.”
• Incorrect: “The event is scheduled for Dec. 5th.”

When a specific date is mentioned, always use figures for the day of the month, and keep the month and year in full form unless the month is abbreviated according to AP rules.

Formatting Date Ranges in AP Style

When writing date ranges in AP Style, the format should remain straightforward, avoiding unnecessary words or punctuation. If referencing a range of dates that includes months, use the full names or abbreviations where applicable, but without adding extra words. There are several rules to follow:

Use an en dash (–) between the start and end dates, without spaces around it.

• For example: “The conference will run from June 1–5.”

If referencing a year or a range of years, do not add extra words like “from” or “to” unless necessary.

• For example: “The company was founded in 2000–2005.”

When the start and end years are the same, only include the year in the range.

• For example: “The event takes place July 5–7, 2023.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Dates

There are several common mistakes that writers often make when following AP Style for dates. Here are some to watch out for:

• Using ordinal numbers: AP Style strictly avoids the use of ordinal numbers (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) when writing dates. Always use the numeral without a suffix, such as “July 4” instead of “July 4th.”
• Abbreviating months incorrectly: Not all months should be abbreviated. AP Style allows for the abbreviations of January, February, August, September, October, November, and December when a specific date is mentioned, but March, April, May, June, and July should never be abbreviated.
  • Correct: “Feb. 14”
  • Incorrect: “Febuary 14”
• Incorrect handling of decades: When writing about decades or centuries, avoid using an apostrophe unless referring to a shortened form, like “the ’90s.” For example:
  • Correct: “The 1990s were a transformative decade.”
  • Incorrect: “The 1900’s were a transformative decade.”
• Including unnecessary commas in date ranges: When writing date ranges, do not include commas or words like “from” or “to” unless needed.
  • Correct: “The exhibit will run from June 1 to June 5.”
  • Incorrect: “The exhibit will run from June 1, to June 5.”

Check Out: How Do We Write Numbers In AP Style?

What Did You Learn?

From using numerals without ordinal suffixes to knowing when and how to abbreviate months, following these guidelines ensures your writing aligns with journalistic standards.

In AP Style, degree titles like “bachelor’s degree” are written in lowercase, and abbreviations for degrees should be avoided. It’s important to follow specific capitalization and phrasing rules when referencing academic degrees.

What AP Style Suggests?

According to AP Style, you should avoid using abbreviations for bachelor’s degree. You have to keep a few points to write down degrees.

If you are writing ‘bachelor’s degree’ or ‘bachelor’s’, then you don’t have to capitalize these terms. Both terms are acceptable with lowercase letters.

For example,

• She worked hard for 8 years and got two bachelor’s degrees.

However, if you will write ‘bachelor degrees’, then it will be taken as a wrong phrase. For example,

• She worked hard for 8 years and got two bachelor degrees. (Wrong)

One more point to remember:

You don’t need to add apostrophes in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. However, you should capitalize these terms. For example,

• She has a Bachelor of Arts degree. (Correct)

• She has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree. (Wrong)

Capitalization Rules for Academic Degrees in AP Style

In AP Style, the names of academic degrees, such as “bachelor’s degree” or “master’s degree,” are not capitalized unless they directly follow a person’s name. The key rule is to capitalize degree titles only when they are part of a formal title or are being used after a person’s name.

Examples:

• She earned a bachelor’s degree in history.
• He has a master’s degree in economics.
• Dr. John Smith, Ph.D., is our guest speaker today.

However, when you are writing “bachelor’s” or “master’s” alone (without the specific degree type or field), it remains lowercase.

Example:

• She received two bachelor’s degrees, one in biology and another in psychology.

When to Use Full Degree Titles vs. Abbreviations

AP Style suggests using the full name of a degree in most cases and advises against abbreviating degree names like “B.A.” or “M.A.”. Abbreviations should only be used when they are necessary for brevity or space, and even then, “B.A.” or “M.A.” should be used sparingly.

For undergraduate degrees, always spell out “bachelor’s degree” and never abbreviate it to “B.A.” in text. The same rule applies for “master’s degree” (no abbreviating to “M.A.”) unless space is extremely limited.

Examples:

• He received his bachelor’s degree in English.
• She holds a master’s degree in business administration.

Abbreviations like “M.D.” (Doctor of Medicine) or “Ph.D.” (Doctor of Philosophy) are acceptable in certain contexts when referencing highly specialized degrees.

Example:

• Dr. Jane Doe, M.D., spoke at the conference.

Check Out: How Do We Write Academic Titles In AP Style?

Writing Degree Titles in Headlines and Subheadings

In headlines or subheadings, degree titles are generally treated with the same rules as in regular text—capitalize them only when they directly follow a name. When used as a noun (e.g., “She earned a bachelor’s degree”), the title is lowercase. The exception is for the more formal titles such as “Dr.” or “Prof.” when they precede a person’s name.

Examples in Headlines:

• Dr. John Smith, Ph.D., to Speak at Graduation Ceremony
• She Earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

Here, “Dr.” and “Ph.D.” are capitalized because they appear directly before the person’s name. The “bachelor’s degree” is lowercase because it is used as a noun and not part of a title.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Degree Titles in AP Style

Common mistakes often arise from improper capitalization and incorrect phrasing when writing academic degrees in AP Style. Some of the frequent errors include:

1. Using unnecessary apostrophes: Avoid writing “Bachelor’s of Arts” or “Bachelor’s degree” when referencing a degree. The term “Bachelor of Arts” is the correct phrasing. The apostrophe in “Bachelor’s” should only be used when referring to a possession, such as in “She has a bachelor’s degree.”
2. Incorrect use of abbreviations: Many writers mistakenly abbreviate “Bachelor of Arts” as “B.A.” or “Master of Science” as “M.S.” unless absolutely necessary. In most cases, it’s better to spell the degree out to avoid confusion.
3. Confusing academic titles with degrees: Titles like “Dr.” or “Prof.” should be used before a person’s name to refer to their academic status, while the degree itself follows a specific format. For example, it is correct to say, “Dr. Emily Thompson, Ph.D.,” not “Dr. Emily Thompson, Ph.D. in physics.

What Did You Learn?

Understanding how to write academic degrees according to AP Style is essential for maintaining clarity and consistency in your writing.

Key points include capitalizing specific degree titles when they directly follow a person’s name, avoiding abbreviations unless necessary, and correctly spelling out degrees like “bachelor’s degree” or “master’s degree” in most contexts.