In AP Style, “African American” is used to refer to Black American individuals, and it should always be capitalized. The term “Black” can also be used to refer to African Americans in general, while both terms are widely accepted in journalistic writing.

Writing African American in AP Style

African-American is used to refer a black American person. You can also use the word ‘black’ to refer an African-American or Black-American.

For example,

• There should be equal political conditions for African Americans and White Americans.
• In 1921, Coleman became the first African American woman to be awarded an international pilot licence. (The Independent)

Note: Don’t forget to capitalize African American.

When to Use “African American” vs. “Black” in AP Style

In AP Style, both “African American” and “Black” are acceptable, but they should be used in different contexts. “African American” refers specifically to Americans of African descent and is commonly used when emphasizing the cultural, social, or historical identity tied to the United States.

On the other hand, “Black” is a broader term that can refer to people of African descent from anywhere in the world, not just the U.S. “Black” can also be used as an adjective to describe cultural movements or communities, such as in “Black culture” or “Black community.”

In cases where ethnicity or cultural identity isn’t relevant, “Black” is generally preferred.

Alternative Terms and When to Use Them

In addition to “African American” and “Black,” there are other terms that may be used in specific contexts, though they are less common.

“Afro-American” was once widely used, particularly in the mid-20th century, but it is now largely considered outdated and is generally avoided in favor of “African American.”

“Black American” is another alternative, though “African American” is more prevalent in journalistic writing. In cases where a person’s nationality or specific ethnic background is relevant, such as in a conversation about Caribbean or African diaspora groups, it’s better to use more specific terms like “Jamaican American” or “Nigerian American.”

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

How to Handle References to Race and Ethnicity in AP Style

AP Style encourages neutrality and sensitivity when referring to race and ethnicity. It is important to avoid using unnecessary identifiers unless they are essential to the story.

When mentioning race, use it only when it is relevant to the context, such as a discussion on racial discrimination or cultural events. Always capitalize “Black” and “African American” when referring to people.

Avoid generalizations or assumptions about individuals based on race, and be sure that your language is inclusive and respectful. If unsure, it’s always best to ask individuals how they prefer to be described. Especially in the case of mixed-race identities or less commonly known ethnic groups.

What Did You Learn?

Understanding the correct usage of terms like “African American” and “Black” in AP Style is crucial. Both terms are acceptable, but they should be used in the proper context to reflect cultural identity or geographic distinction.

In AP Style, addresses must be written with specific rules regarding abbreviations and capitalization. Common street abbreviations like Ave., Blvd., and St. are used only when numbers are included in the address; otherwise, full names should be used.

Use of Abbreviations

Ave., Blvd., and St. are some common address abbreviations. You can only use these address abbreviations with numbered addresses or when there is a number in your address. For example,

• Address: 1200 California Ave.

However, when there is no reference of number in your address, it is necessary to write full name (Avenue) by capitalizing it. For example,

• Address: California Avenue.

Furthermore, if you are coming across with more than one street name or when avenue is used alone in your text, then you should write the full name without capitalizing it. For example,

• You can find out the bank branches on California and Warner avenues.

The words like alley, drive, circle, road, etc., are always used with their full names. If you are using any of these words with a formal name without any number, you should capitalize it. Otherwise, if it is used alone or with more than one names, then it is necessary to lowercase it. For example,

• Go to Florida Road.

• Bank branches are located on Breton and Florida roads.

Note: Use figures in your addresses. For instance,

1200 California Ave. (Correct)

Twelve hundred California Ave. (Wrong)

Rule to Write Numbered Streets

If you are giving reference a number with street names, then you should capitalize and write full spellings from ‘First’ to ‘Ninth’. Otherwise, you have to use two-letter figures (i.e. 29th, 22nd, etc.)

For example,

• Go to Second St.

• Go to 12th St.

If you are writing an address mentioning compass points with a number, then you can abbreviate that compass point. However, if there will be no number, then no need to abbreviate a compass point.

For example,

• Address: 1200 E. California Ave.

• Address: East California Avenue.

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

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Addresses

When writing addresses in AP style, there are a few common mistakes to watch out for. Here are some examples of how to avoid them:

Incorrect Use of Abbreviations

One common mistake is to use abbreviations in addresses when they shouldn’t be. For example, “1200 California Avenue” is incorrect if you don’t use a number. In this case, “Avenue” should be written in full, as there is no number. If it were “1200 California Ave.”, the abbreviation is correct.

Correct: 1200 California Ave.
Incorrect: 1200 California Avenue (when no number is used).

Capitalization Mistakes

Another mistake is improperly capitalizing street names. Words like “road,” “street,” “avenue” should be capitalized only if they are part of the formal name and there is a number in the address. Otherwise, they should be written in lowercase. For example:

Correct: Go to Main and First streets.
Incorrect: Go to Main and First Streets.

Using Numbers for Streets Beyond Ninth

The AP style has specific rules for writing numbered streets. You should write “First” through “Ninth” as words, and then use figures for “Tenth” and beyond. For example, “First St.” is correct, but “Tenth St.” should be written as “10th St.”

Correct: I live on First St.
Incorrect: I live on Tenth Street (should be 10th St.).

Confusing Compass Points

Don’t abbreviate compass points unless there’s a number in the address. For example, “1200 W. Main St.” is correct, but “West Main St.” should be written out without the abbreviation because no number is involved.

Correct: 1200 W. Main St.
Incorrect: West Main St. (without a number).

What Did You Learn?

We learned that abbreviations like “Ave.” and “St.” should only be used with numbered addresses, while full names like “Avenue” and “Street” should be written out when no number is included.

According to AP Style, you don’t have to write your exact age in figures everywhere. There are some specific areas in which you can mention your age. For example, you can mention your age in figures in your profiles, forms such as admission or application forms, eulogy, etc.

However, if someone says that ‘I can’t work much, I am too old’ or ‘a veteran of two world wars’, then there is no need to mention the exact age. The person’s age is relevant in this manner.

AP Style Ages – Use Figures

If you want to refer your age at any place, you should use figures instead of spell it out. For example,

1. My mother has a 20-years-old chinese bowl.

2. My sister is 23 years old.

3. They both are now 10 years old.

Note: In the first example, I used hyphens for chinese bowl’s age because it is expressed as adjective and used before noun.

Important Point to Remember

If you say,

‘I am in my 20s.’

Then, you should remember that there is no need to use apostrophe between ‘20’ ans ‘s’.

For example,

• She was so beautiful and energetic in her 30s.

Formatting Age Ranges in AP Style

In AP Style, when you write age ranges, you need to be clear and consistent. To express a range of ages, use the word “to” between the two numbers. For example:

• Correct: The camp is for children ages 5 to 10.
• Correct: The ages of the players ranged from 15 to 18.
  You should avoid using a hyphen or dash in age ranges unless you are discussing a compound adjective. So, don’t write “ages 5-10” or “ages 15-18” in this context. The word “to” is preferred for readability and clarity.

When writing out ages in ranges, be sure to avoid unnecessary repetition. For instance:

• Correct: The class includes students ages 20 to 30.
• Incorrect: The class includes students ages from 20 to 30 years old.
  This redundant phrasing can clutter your writing, so just use “ages” or “from” appropriately.

Avoiding Common Mistakes with Ages in AP Style

There are some common mistakes to be aware of when writing ages in AP Style. One of the most frequent errors involves the incorrect use of apostrophes with age expressions. In AP Style, you do not use an apostrophe when referring to ages in the plural form. For example:

• Correct: She is in her 20s.
• Incorrect: She is in her 20’s.
  The apostrophe is only used for possessive forms, so “20’s” is incorrect when you are talking about the span of years.

Another common mistake occurs when age is used as a compound adjective. When you combine age with a noun, use hyphens to form the compound adjective:

• Correct: The 5-year-old girl is on the team.
• Incorrect: The 5 year old girl is on the team.
  Here, the hyphens help clarify that the age is describing the noun (“girl”).

Additionally, be mindful when referencing approximate ages. Instead of using a vague “around 20,” opt for a more direct and specific age range when possible. This helps readers to better understand the context:

• Correct: He is in his late 20s.
• Incorrect: He is around 20 years old.

Age Expressions in Headlines

In headlines or lead sentences, brevity is key, and ages should be expressed in the simplest form. Here’s how to write ages concisely in these cases:

• Correct: “15-Year-Old Wins Science Award”
• Correct: “20-Year-Old Runner Sets Record”

In these examples, the hyphen is used to form a compound adjective, which helps streamline the headline and makes it easier to read. When writing about age in headlines, it’s important to avoid unnecessary words or embellishments. For example, avoid writing:

• Incorrect: “The 20-year-old student from the high school”
  Instead, use:
• Correct: “The 20-year-old student”
  Keep it short and direct, focusing on the key information that matters most to the reader.

When writing about a range of ages in a headline, follow the same principle of clarity and conciseness:

• Correct: “Festival Welcomes Ages 10 to 15”
• Incorrect: “Festival Welcomes Children Aged 10 to 15 Years Old”

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

What Did You Learn?

By following these key rules for formatting age ranges, avoiding common mistakes, and expressing age in a concise manner in headlines, you can ensure your writing adheres to AP Style standards.

Whether you are discussing specific ages, using compound adjectives, or presenting age ranges in the media, clarity and precision should always be your priorities.

In AP Style, “A.D.” and “B.C.” are used to indicate specific periods in the Gregorian calendar. “A.D.” (Anno Domini) is placed before the year, while “B.C.” (Before Christ) is written after the year.

A.D. and B.C. are both abbreviations. A.D. is the abbreviation for anno Domini while B.C. is the abbreviation for before Christ. Both are widely accepted abbreviations that refers to specific calendar years.

Use of A.D.

The abbreviation A.D. for anno Domini means ‘in the year of the Lord’. If you are referring A.D. with a year specified, then you should write A.D. before that figure. For example,

• They ruled in the A.D. 740s.

Use of B.C.

The abbreviation B.C. refers to the years before Christ. Unlike A.D., if you are referring B.C. with a year specified, then you should write B.C. after that figure. For example,

• Some recent research suggests that the dating of Herod’s death might be up for debate and could be dated 1 B.C. (Bill Petro)

Notes:

• It is assumed to be A.D. or B.C. if there is no reference to any specific year after A.D. or before B.C.
• You cannot write ‘in the fifth century A.D.’ Simply, write ‘in the fifth century’ (without mentioning A.D.).
• However, in the above case, you should mention B.C. (i.e., 21^st century B.C.).

When to Omit “A.D.” and “B.C.” in AP Style

These can often be omitted when referencing centuries or general time periods. For example, instead of writing “5th century A.D.,” you can simply use “5th century.”

The abbreviation is unnecessary when the century is clearly implied, and it helps to avoid redundancy. Similarly, for centuries in the B.C. era, writing “5th century B.C.” is acceptable without adding the “B.C.” after each year mentioned, as the context is clear.

Alternative Terms for “A.D.” and “B.C.” in Modern Writing

In recent years, the use of “CE” (Common Era) and “BCE” (Before Common Era) has become more popular, especially in academic and non-religious contexts. These terms are viewed as secular alternatives to “A.D.” and “B.C.” “CE” corresponds to “A.D.,” and “BCE” corresponds to “B.C.”

While they are widely accepted in many fields, it’s important to follow the specific guidelines of your publication or style guide. If using AP Style, “A.D.” and “B.C.” are preferred, but “CE” and “BCE” may be used if appropriate.

Check Out: How To Write Ages In AP Style?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most common mistakes when using these is incorrect placement. Remember, “A.D.” always precedes the year, such as in “A.D. 740,” while “B.C.” follows the year, like “740 B.C.”

Another common error is the unnecessary use of “A.D.” or “B.C.” when referencing centuries (e.g., “5th century A.D.”). It’s generally understood that centuries are A.D. unless specified otherwise.

Additionally, avoid redundant phrases like “HIV virus” (since HIV already stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus), as it creates repetition. Always ensure correct usage for clarity.

What Did We Learn?

According to AP Style. “A.D.” (Anno Domini) is placed before a year, while “B.C.” (Before Christ) follows the year. We also discovered that “A.D.” and “B.C.” can be omitted in certain contexts, especially when referring to centuries

In AP Style, the title “Administrative Law Judge” should be capitalized when used as a formal title before a person’s name. However, it should not be capitalized when used in a general sense or when referring to multiple people.

AP Style also gives a guideline to write down the federal title ‘Administrative Law Judge’. This particular title refers a formal title for a person who serves as a professional hearing officer.

If you are using this title as a formal title, then you should capitalize it and write it before a name. For example,

• Administrative Law Judge Tammy Pust.

However, you can also write this title by setting off commas. In this way, you do not need to capitalize this title. For example,

• The administrative law judge, Tammy Pust, will not be present today.

Furthermore, if you are not referring this title as formal or you are referring more than one person, then you should not capitalize this particular title. For example,

1. Application has been sent to the agency’s administrative law judge.

2. SEC’s administrative law judges will hold their specific positions.

When to Use Commas with “Administrative Law Judge”

When the title “Administrative Law Judge” is not used formally before a person’s name, commas should be used to set off the title from the rest of the sentence. In this case, the title is lowercase and is not capitalized. For example:

• The administrative law judge, Tammy Pust, will not be present today. Here, the title is used as an informal reference, with the judge’s name following the title.

How to Refer to Multiple Administrative Law Judges

When referring to more than one administrative law judge, the title should be written in lowercase and without capitalization, unless it starts a sentence. For example:

• The agency’s administrative law judges are scheduled to review the case tomorrow.
• Several administrative law judges will be attending the conference.

This keeps the term general and non-specific, distinguishing it from the use of a formal title for a single person.

The Difference Between Formal and Informal Use of Titles

A formal use of “Administrative Law Judge” is when the title is placed directly before the person’s name and is capitalized. In contrast, when used informally or in general references, the title is not capitalized and may be set off by commas. For example:

• Formal: Administrative Law Judge Tammy Pust will hear the case.
• Informal: The administrative law judge, Tammy Pust, is on leave this week.

The distinction ensures that the title remains consistent with its level of importance or formality.

Examples of Administrative Law Judge in Sentences

Here are some examples of how “Administrative Law Judge” can be used correctly in sentences:

Formal Use:

• Administrative Law Judge John Smith will oversee the hearing.

Informal Use with Commas:

• The administrative law judge, John Smith, has ruled in favor of the plaintiff.

Multiple Judges:

• The administrative law judges will gather next week to discuss the new policy.

Check Out: How Do We Write State Names In AP Style?

What Did You Learn?

The title should be capitalized and placed before a name when used formally, such as “Administrative Law Judge Tammy Pust.”