The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law [Paperback]

Norm Goldstein (Author), Associated Press (Author), Louis D. Boccardi (Author), The Associated Press (Author)

Book Description

Series: Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law | Publication Date: January 15, 2000

The style of the Associated Press defines clear news writing. In fact, more people write for the AP news service than for any single newspaper or broadcaster in the world. The AP Stylebook is therefore ”the journalist’s bible,” an essential handbook for all writers, editors, students, and public-relations specialists.The AP Stylebook contains over 5,000 entries laying out the AP’s rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage. It gives journalists the references they need to write about the world today: correct names of countries and organizations, language to avoid, common trademarks. Special sections cover business and sports reporting. This edition, published in the Associated Press’s 150th year, also includes crucial advice on how writers can guard against libel and copyright infringement.An up-to-date AP Stylebook belongs on the desk of every working writer.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Whether you're a student struggling through Composition 101 or a professional writer on a quest for perfection, The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law is always ready to fill the role of trusted advisor to your creative genius. Revised and updated in 2000, this version contains a 40-page section on media law, guides for punctuation and bibliographies, and specialized glossaries for business and sports writing, all in addition to its 280-page generalized stylebook.

Within each section, entries are alphabetized, and searching for an answer is a fairly simple process. Tricky words--those that can be hyphenated (know-how) or not (jukebox), homonyms, nonstandard spellings (mo-ped)--are given their own short entries. Larger categories, such as religions, military titles, the Internet, and datelines, have multiple pages devoted to their explanations, but detail and clarity are brought nicely together in each listing. Many entries concern brand names and trademarks--never again will you question whetherpingpong or Ping-Pong should be used in the flier for your table-tennis tournament.

While a few sections of this book--the ones concerning media law, photo captions, filing the wire, and proofreading marks--will most likely be used by professional and student journalists and editors, the majority of this book is an excellent tool for anyone who ever has to write for the public. Whether it's a newsletter for your badminton league, a training manual for your employees, or a press release detailing your company's quarterly earnings, this stylebook will help you turn out well-written copy that gains the approval of every English teacher you've ever had. --Jill Lightner

About the Author

The Associated Press is the nation's largest news agency, serving more than 7,500 large and small newspapers, college papers, magazines, and broadcasters. It celebrated its sesquicentennial in 1998.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; Revised edition (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738203084
• ISBN-13: 978-0738203089
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Law > Media & the Law

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for journalists, January 6, 2001

By 

D. Peters "rhyme_and_reason" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (Paperback)

This book is an indispensible resource for writers, students, editors, journalists, businesspeople -- anybody who needs to write proposals, papers, stories, you name it. Clearly organized in dictionary form, this book contains the answers to those key and nagging questions. Is the "m" in "English muffin" supposed to be capitalized? When do you hyphenate "right-wing"? How exactly do you properly use "lay and lie"? What's the appropriate abbreviation for an army corporal? And does a speaker stand behind or on a podium? Finally figure out which preposition is precisely correct.

In addition to common style questions like the ones above, the stylebook contains a wealth of common information. What is a mach number? How does one calculate heat indexes and wind chill factors? And other pieces of commonly needed information are interspersed throughout the text.

This edition also includes specific guides for business and sports terminology, as well as an Internet guide.

While less useful to those not members of the media, this text also includes a briefing on media law. Some sections, such as the right to individual privacy, might appeal to the general public.

The AP Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law is an essential addition to any reference collection.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vital, August 18, 2001

By 

CMOS (US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (Paperback)

While every editor may have his or her preferences when it comes to "which style guide" to use, you will be hard-pressed to go wrong with this text. In addition to the familiar style and usage rules writers must confront (did I just start a sentence with a preposition?), the book also contains an excellent primer on media law. IMO it should be required reading for anyone seeking work as a journalist (or anyone who reads newspapers on a daily basis). People in America not only could use a primer, they could use a couple weather-coatings too!

Get a copy if you don't already own one.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent technical guide, November 13, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (Paperback)

The AP Stylebook And Briefing On Media Law is a classic reference has been fully revised and updated to provide readers with the latest details on media law, probing newsrooms, journalism classes, and different styles of writing. Fifty new entries and revisions keep up with world events, common usage, and AP procedures and include sections on the Internet and current media law. An excellent technical guide.