Technically, its grammatically optional in american english. New yorklaw enforcement officials confirmed friday that four more copy editors were killed this week amid ongoing violence between two rival gangs divided by their loyalties to the the associated press stylebook and the chicago manual of style. Ap stylethe style guide that newspaper reporters adhere todoes not require the use of the oxford comma. The first reason why you dont need the oxford comma is a basic one. Associated press stylebook 2015 and briefing on media law was a textbook for my introduction to journalism course.
Lowercase the first word unless it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. Fully revised and updated, this new edition contains more than 3,000 a to z entries including more than 200 new ones detailing the ap s rules. Ap style is to not include a comma before the conjunction in a simple series like the flag is red, white and blue. Which style guides require the use of the serial comma. But news writing has traditionally omitted the serial comma perhaps seeking a more rapid feeling in the prose, or perhaps to save time and effort in the old days of manual typesetting. Oxford comma how olympia creative is using pr writing skills to help capital area special olympics convey its message march 10, 2015 olympiacreative uncategorized ap style, capital area special olympics, casol, nonprofit, oxford comma, public relations, public relations writing, special olympics, storytelling. What is the oxford comma and why do people care so much about it. Beyond style guide preferences, debate over the oxford comma is so intense because commas change the meaning of sentences. Style guides for book and academic publishing generally would insist on another comma after pears, the socalled serial comma or oxford comma. A communicators guide to ap style ragan communications. Although the normal style is to avoid the serial comma, use one if it is needed for clarity.
While many of the sites i write for as a freelance blogger follow ap style including this one, which is sansserial comma, i still sneak one in when it seems needed to avoid potential confusion. The mechanical purpose is to set off items in a series that already contains commas. The comma may be omitted after short introductory phrases if no ambiguity would result. Some writers of british english use it only where necessary to avoid ambiguity. However, if the comma is necessary for clarity or if an integral part of the series includes a conjunction, it should be added.
But if i remove the comma to adhere to ap style, then we get at the heart of the oxford comma debate. It is important to note that the ap style guide is. There are cases in which the use of the serial comma can avoid ambiguity see resolving ambiguity and also instances in which its use can introduce ambiguity see creating ambiguity. The oxford comma is also known as the serial comma and is used after a conjunction in a list of items. Mla already accepted the singular they as of 20152016. Ap style the style guide that newspaper reporters adhere to does not require the use of the oxford comma. An oxford, or serial, comma is the last comma in a list. Chicago, being twice as long as ap, has twice as much to say on this subject and offers several more variations of proper serialcomma usage on which the ap is mum 6. The style guide that khan academy uses, the chicago manual of style, does recommend it. The first part of the state names entry says they should be spelled out when used in the body of a story, whether standing alone or in conjunction with a city, town, village or military base. The concert will be february 10, 2016, at carson music hall. Capably conveying information is a critical component of journalism. The associated press stylebook 2015 by associated press. I have used the comma my entire life so sentences without it look pretty strange, i just want to make sure the following two sentences are correct in ap style.
Withthe ap stylebook in hand, you can learn how to write and edit with the clarity and professionalism for which they are famous. Ap stylethe style guide that newspaper reporters adhere to. Lucky for us, ap and chicago agree on one thing before they part ways. Despite being named after a british university, the oxford comma the comma used before and in lists e. Oxford style requires the use of the comma to avoid confusion, hence the name oxford comma. Do you know the comma before and is known by the following names.
I wonder if you really meant the oxford comma the comma before the last item. The 2015 ap stylebook makes the distinction between state names in running text body of the story and state names in datelines. Proponents of the oxford comma say its necessary to avoid potential ambiguity. May 05, 2015 the oxford comma comes right after eraser. As a diehard oxford comma loyalist, this ruling made my day.
Apr 01, 20 when i went to school the oxford comma was universally taught as the correct way to write, as it avoids many misunderstandings. The associated press has a stylebook with rules and standards used primarily in journalistic and news writing. I devote a chapter in my book the glamour of grammar to my preference for that final comma, and now believe that ap style should now. There are several distinctions that are made in the chicago manual of style. What with all the new updates and changes, its worth noting that the more.
It would stand to reason that the grammatical style employed by. This style guide is mainly used in most longform publishing. The style of the associated press is the gold standard for news writing. With the ap stylebook in hand, you can learn how to write and edit with the clarity and professionalism for which they are famous. The oxford comma is also less popular in the uk, australia, and other parts of the world than it is in the united states. I have had editors at a content writing site use ap style checkers and suggest changes that totally changed the meaning of my work. In english language punctuation, a serial comma, or series comma is a comma placed.
The modern language association mla and the chicago manual of style utilize the comma, while the ap does not. Hi, i just heard that the oxford comma is not allowed in ap style. The 2019 edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law. This article originally ran on pr daily in march of 2017 for journalists, the associated press stylebook is the industry bible. He had eggs, bacon, toast and coffee for breakfast. Whether you put it in at all times is a different debate. Fully revised and updated, this new edition contains more than 3,000 a to z entriesincluding more than 200 new onesdetailing the aps rules on grammar, spelling. Dec 07, 2017 as ap stylebook lead editor paula froke told a roomful of colleagues this spring, the stylebook doesnt ban the use of a serial comma. Its considered to be optional by most writers, and ap style used by journalists in the us actually discourages its use. Using ap style where i went to college william and mary could result in fs. Thats hardly a hardandfast declaration, but the oxford comma is divisive, as anyone whos served as a copy editor at a student newspaper.
Textbroker would prefer that you use quotes, but you will not be marked down for other stylistic methods. This is not a style change, but a clarification because the editors noted that some writers were confused. Ap style dictates specific comma placement in a series and with dialogue, dates, numbers. Oxford comma harvard comma serial comma series comma here im gonna share the best practice to learn the oxford comma that i recently came to know. These 3 sentences show why you should always use the oxford comma. The oxford comma occurs before the and in the following sentence. Capitalize principal before a name, as well as vice principal or assistant principal, if its a formal. Ap style, the oxford comma, and communication the daily. Its turning 60, and in honor of the occasion its approximately 500 pages of copy guidelines has had a revision. It is also required by the chicago manual of style and mla style. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference.
The new york times and other premiere media outlets dont use oxford commas. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. However, the ap style rule is that you do not include that final comma unless its necessary. The oxford comma or serial comma is a comma placed between the last two items in a series of three or more.
More on the oxford comma in microsoft word office watch. How business decisions impact print, published in the june 2015. In short, ap s stance is to omit the serial comma except when it prevents misreading, and chicagos stance is to always include itfor the same reason. Further, using the oxford comma ensures there is no miscommunication.
It is important to note that the ap style guide is just that. Most clients in the b2b world will base their style on either ap or chicago style. The premiere grammar ruling for journalists says we dont need the oxford comma. Use of the oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others dont.
Ap wants hyphens to literally go the way of the oxford comma. Oxford university press usa publishes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, childrens books, business books, dictionaries, reference books, journals, text books and more. In contrast, the associated press stylebook advises against it. May 29, 20 the new ap stylebook will not end the oxford comma debate. As might be expected, there were a few suggestions to kill the messenger. The guidelines help writers present clear and concise information with consistent structure to keep readers focused. The main points of the blog post are to introduce ap style, teach bloggers and content marketers the basic rules, and help writers apply these rules to their work. The oxford comma is that rare thing in the mechanics of the english language.
The sentence above written in ap style would look like this. This practice is controversial and is known as the serial comma or oxford comma, because it is part of the house style of oxford university press. Ap style, the oxford comma, and communication the daily campus. Ap stylebook, also known by its full name the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law, is an english grammar style and usage guide created by american journalists working for or connected with the associated press to standardize mass communication. This sentence uses the oxford comma but is not written in ap style. However, in a complex series of phrases, a comma may be needed. A majority of american style guides mandate use of the serial comma, including. In general, magazines and newspapers discourage it in order to save ink and space but the new yorker is an exception. Just make sure that your titles are all consistently labeled. The oxford or serial comma is the final comma in a list of things. Apr 20, 2015 think of the semicolon as a long comma, or a wimpy period. The strategy i happen to use is pretty brainfree, which is to say that it follows ap style.
At this time we have reason to believe the killings were gangrelated and carried out by adherents of both the ap and chicago. Do not use a comma before the last item in a simple series. We also issued the above grammar tip dedicated to the oxford comma, which concludes that if you live in the u. All things considered, this punctuation mark may be more divisive than partisan politics. Nathanael blake argued here this week that the oxford comma is a crutch for bad writing, and i must protest. The 2019 edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law includes more than 200 new or revised entries, with chapters covering data journalism, business, fashion, food, religion and sports terms, as well as media law, news values, punctuation, social media, polls and surveys and a new chapter on health and science. It is used less often in british english, but some british style guides require it, including the oxford university press style manual and fowlers modern english usage. Proof the content you create in microsoft word, outlook and todays web browsers, helping find errors in spelling, usage and ap style. The exception is with sentences that require it for clarity. Chicago uses three dots spaced out and with no spaces before and after, whereas ap style puts a space before and after the ellipsis and the dots are not spaced out. Ap wants hyphens to literally go the way of the oxford comma 2 september, 2019 2 september, 2019 language 5 comments the oxford or serial comma is one of the more divisive parts of the english language even more so than the singular they, and it looks like the hyphen will be relegated to the same battlefield. It is a professional stylebook and journalists follow the information with accuracy. A comma is used to separate an introductory clause or phrase from the main clause. At this time we have reason to believe the killings were gangrelated and carried out by adherents of both the ap and chicago styles, part of a.
Reached by email, macdonald told bi that the photo is of a page from steven pinkers the sense of style. Some inhouse style guides go against the oxford comma so word should be able to warn when the extra comma is being used. Apr 10, 2017 the oxford comma or serial comma is a comma placed. Using my example above, my fellow hodgers know that the three accounts i listed are just that. How to use commas in associated press style pen and the pad. The socalled oxford comma is an optional comma that follows the. It covers much more than the ap stylebook, which generally covers only common words and their usage. Apr 20, 2016 it covers much more than the ap stylebook, which generally covers only common words and their usage. Also called the oxford comma, this term refers to a comma that separates the penultimate item in a list from the final item introduced by a conjunction and or or. We here at textbroker have been away from using this blog for a little while, but we wanted to let you know that were going to be back on a regular basis posting new blog posts every two weeks. Mar 14, 2015 ap style for states abbreviations march 14, 2015 a. The venerable style guide you know and love, the ap stylebook, is having a big birthday. It is clear that the oxford comma is an important tool for this purpose. It is called the oxford comma because of its long history of use by oxford university press.
For journalists, the associated press stylebook is the industry bible. Ap stylebook editors hosted a twitter chat on ap style. According to the ap guide, our previous sentence would look like this. The new stylebook emphasizes that clarity is the bottom line. As mentioned above, this is the comma that appears before a conjunction such as and or or in a series. Ap style does not use the serial comma, while chicago style does. Nov 16, 2011 there are 11 simple rules that govern the comma in ap style. Mar 05, 2018 this article originally ran on pr daily in march of 2017 for journalists, the associated press stylebook is the industry bible. Whether to use that last comma is based on style, but not to sound repetitive using it or refusing to use it based on rules and not on the clarity needed in that particular situation is more problematic. What they are and how to use them site title english grammar and use are the ap associated press and chicago manuals. Apr 02, 20 at we prefer to use it because we are more interested in clear communication than saving one space. Ap style guide is a notable dissenter going against the serial comma except when its necessary for clarity.
If you prefer a nonbranded term, then serial comma ascribes the same comma usage to no one in particular. There are 11 simple rules that govern the comma in ap style. We here make a slight nod to the great oxford comma wars and simply move on. Either ap style must change to meet the needs of language, or newspapers should exercise leniency with its use in the name of communication. When he had tired of the mad pace of new york, he moved to dubuque. The new ap stylebook will not end the oxford comma debate. Learning ap style, which loathes commas, has been a challenge as a.