The ap stylebook still recommends the comma before the final and in a simple series, but the new entry clarifies that there are instances where the oxford comma is needed for clarity, and when it is. Oxford comma helps drivers win dispute about overtime pay. The new ap stylebook will not end the oxford comma debate more the venerable style guide you know and love, or maybe love to complain about, the ap stylebook, is having a big birthday. Ap style is to not include a comma before the conjunction in a simple series like the flag is red, white and blue. Ap style used to be to use he when gender is not known. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. According to the ap style guide, one would write the sentence above as. 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.
The oxford comma is only required if the writing is poor and lends itself to ambiguity. Jan 22, 20 the oxford comma, socalled because the oxford university press style guidelines require it, is the comma before the conjunction at the end of a list. The oxford comma is the comma placed before the conjunction at the end of a list of. O is for oxford comma curiosity quills press curiosity quills i always argue with my english professor because he doesnt like how often i use the oxford comma. As a diehard oxford comma loyalist, this ruling made my day. Some company style guides even instruct writers to generally follow ap style but to buck ap and use the oxford comma. A style guide for editors, writers, and word nerds. Ap style dictates specific comma placement in a series and with dialogue, dates, numbers. 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. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook.
Jan 15, 2014 the oxford comma is extremely important and everyone should be using it. Here are a few clarifications from textbroker for where we stand on these issues. What with all the new updates and changes, its worth. Sometimes reading sentences without the oxford comma can be extremely funny.
But w e here at, and other proponents like us, happen to like this little comma sorry, vampire weekend. The oxford comma is used more often in nonjournalistic prose. Chicago style recommends its use in almost all instances, while ap style leans somewhat against it. The ap stylebook has a few simple rules for using quotation marks in ap style stories. Much of the weareteachers staff are selfproclaimed grammar junkies, and we embrace it. The new stylebook emphasizes that clarity is the bottom line.
After each bullet, capitalize the first letter and use periods at the end of each item. The oxford comma is extremely important and everyone should. These 3 sentences show why you should always use the oxford comma. Ap style the style guide that newspaper reporters adhere todoes not require the use of the oxford comma. If youre not aware of this debate, we dont want you to miss out on the fun and fastidiousness. The new ap stylebook will not end the oxford comma debate. This entry now refers to the entry on they, them, their. Heres an example of a sentence with the oxford comma. This case backs up that habit as more than just an oldschool tic i havent yet let go. Lets take a look at how the sentences above will look written in ap style. Either ap style must change to meet the needs of language, or newspapers should exercise leniency with its use in the name of communication. How to use commas in associated press style pen and the pad.
Ap style does not use the serial comma, while chicago style does. 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. For more information, please consult the associated press stylebook 2012. Ap stylethe style guide that newspaper reporters adhere todoes not. Hang your posters in dorms, bedrooms, offices, or anywhere blank walls arent welcome. The ap style guide does not require the use of the oxford comma.
Some writing styles such as the ap style which newspaper reporters often usedoes not require the oxford comma. In your personal or general business writing, youre free to comma as you wish. The oxford comma is all about your personal preference unless your work requires you to work in ap style which encourages its use for clarity. Ap style writing requires the use of the oxford comma.
Earlier on wednesday ap stylebook editors hosted a twitter chat on ap style. Paste books helps you find what to read next, whether you love literary fiction. Whether or not you use the oxford comma is up to you unless youre writing a paper for school and your teacher insists that you use the oxford comma. Use of the oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others dont. Colon capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. Horace hart wrote about the oxford comma in his book horaces rules for compositors and. Apr 20, 2016 it covers much more than the ap stylebook, which generally covers only common words and their usage. If you ask most grammar enthusiasts, the oxford comma is accepted and encouraged for clarification. Usage of the oxford comma varies depending on what youre writing.
It covers much more than the ap stylebook, which generally covers only common words and their usage. The associated press stylebook, which many top news organizations. My ap style reporting teacher would tell you to simply rearrange the articles to make more sense rather than arrange them in an intentionally confusing manner to justify using a comma in a silly place. Five updates to the 2017 associated press stylebook jun 06.
The venerable style guide you know and love, the ap stylebook, is having a big birthday. Oxford style requires the use of the comma to avoid confusion, hence the name oxford comma. Coffee, writing, and giving a fuck about an oxford comma. Last week the ap updated its style guide and sortabutnotquitekilled the rule on hyphens. However, a comma should be used before the terminal conjunction in a complex series, if part of that series also contains a conjunction. An oxford, or serial, comma is the last comma in a list. Also known as the oxford comma, the serial comma is the final comma in a list of three items or more, and it is used immediately before and, or, and occasionally nor. This week, i give a nod to the comma, a punctuation mark we all likely use multiple times daily. When he had tired of the mad pace of new york, he moved to. The first style book to recommend using the serial comma came out in 1905 in england. This resource, revised according to the associated press stylebook 2012, offers examples for the general format of ap style. Ap style, the oxford comma, and communication the daily. I ate scrambled eggs, french toast and apple juice.
The oxford or serial comma is one of the more divisive parts of the. We personally are not fans of the oxford comma and coincidentally, neither is ap style. This special comma is known as the serial comma or, sometimes, the oxford comma. Ap stylethe style guide that newspaper reporters adhere todoes not require the use of the oxford comma. What many selfrighteous oxford comma activists often fail to recognize. But what exactly is it and why cant linguists decide on whether to use it.
Although the normal style is to avoid the serial comma, use one if it is. There are several distinctions that are made in the chicago manual of style. It is also required by the chicago manual of style and mla style. Because there are so many more words than there are punctuation marks, my posts tend to be heavy on the wordchoice aspect of grammar. 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. Apr 30, 2019 if youre writing a professional or academic article that must follow a chosen style guide, follow the oxford comma rule in your guide. The best shots fired in the oxford comma wars mental floss. However, chicago style or the chicago manual of style, which is commonly used by book publishers, academics and trade publications does require an oxford comma. The associated press has a stylebook with rules and standards used primarily in journalistic and news writing.
Mar 16, 2017 an overtime case that will delight language nerds everywhere hinges on the absence of an oxford comma. Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. While ap style is largely sound, there are a few rules that are quite subjective. The oxford comma is a topic of debate in the grammar world. Lets go ahead and declare it the year of the exclamation point. One of the longeststanding debates is that over the oxford comma, aka the. So the example i used above would read like this without the oxford comma.
However, omitting it can sometimes cause some strange misunderstandings. The reason why the english including the bulk of her colonies excepting the usa i believe dont use the oxford comma is because context usually makes everything clear when writing is clear and concise. If you are at all familiar with vampire weekend, you know they arent fans of this punctuation mark. However, if the comma is necessary for clarity or if an integral part of the series includes a.
Decorate your laptops, water bottles, notebooks and windows. 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. Jul 28, 2015 but people with my opinion are losing the battle, and its heartbreaking. Grammar puns only a true english nerd will get weareteachers. May 29, 20 the new ap stylebook will not end the oxford comma debate.
In contrast, the associated press stylebook advises against it. A majority of american style guides mandate use of the serial comma, including apa style, the chicago manual of style, garners modern american usage, the mla style manual, strunk and whites elements of style and the u. This week we address the serial comma, seventh in the list of the top 10 most common apa style errors as identified by onwuegbuzie, combs, slate, and frels 2010. The oxford comma is a fun topic of conversation for writers and theyll tell you what they think if you ask them. Associated press style is to use dashes, not bullets, for lists that follow a colon. A comma is used to separate an introductory clause or phrase from the main clause. There are 11 simple rules that govern the comma in ap style.
Jun 12, 2015 ap style has a funny little way of sneaking into your ear and whispering sweet nothings like, didnt i teach you better than to leave street designations unabbreviated. However, if the comma is necessary for clarity or if an integral part of the series includes a conjunction, it should be added. It is important to note that the ap style guide is just that. 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. 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. Dec 07, 2017 it featured in a 2008 lyric by the band vampire weekend that might be politely paraphrased as who gives a hoot about the oxford comma.
Ah, yes, the familiar panic of poring over your article to make sure hyphens are correctly placed and quotes are wellattributed. Sorry if this spoils your fun at the aps expense, but their decision is just too sensible for me to poke fun at. Here are a few clarifications from textbroker for where we stand on these. Chicago to keep track of style and usage according to the popular style guides the associated press stylebook and the chicago manual of style. The case against the oxford comma the startup medium.
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. The oxford comma is extremely important and everyone. Mar 01, 2018 whether youre an english teacher, reading specialist, or just a grammar nerd, we get you. See more ideas about serial comma, oxford and humor. Use of the oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use. Nov 16, 2011 there are 11 simple rules that govern the comma in ap style. Its updated throughout the year and valuable onlineonly resources, including ask the editor, topical guides and pronunciation guide, expand on the print book s guidance.
The sentence above written in ap style would look like this. However, we can all agree that these grammar puns and jokes are funny. What they are and how to use them site title english grammar and use are the ap associated press and chicago manuals. And this year a single oxford comma was even the subject of a court fight with millions of dollars at stake. Nov 12, 2019 the style guide that newspaper reporters use, ap style, doesnt require use of the oxford comma. This style guide is mainly used in most longform publishing. Before the party began, mary prepared all of the food, cleaned up the kitchen and chilled the wine. But if you are dealing with someone who works in the news industry and uses the ap stylebook, the sentence is correct if you omit the last comma. According to the ap stylebook, you use a comma to separate elements in a series, but never before the conjunction in. The department prefers bullets, but punctuate them per ap style. Keep in mind whether you use an oxford comma or not, you still have to write in a way that people can understand you.
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 little punctuation has caused huge debates among writers as to whether or not it is a critical component of modern communication. The oxford comma is extremely important and everyone should be using it. Ap style thats the associated press stylebook, which many journalists live by does not use an oxford comma.
That final comma before the and in a list is called an oxford comma, or serial comma. Questions about the oxford comma are the most common. No newspaper is going to be shut down because they added an oxford comma in a sentence or wrote a date incorrectly. 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. Oxford comma stickers featuring millions of original designs created by independent artists. The associated press and new york times style guides have already done away with it. Neither of these are incorrect, depending on who you talk to. Ap wants hyphens to literally go the way of the oxford comma. Five updates to the 2017 associated press stylebook. The guidelines help writers present clear and concise information with consistent structure to keep readers focused. The first style book to recommend using the serial comma came out in 1905 in. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours.
753 401 513 511 1265 796 917 681 255 1389 981 1207 15 2 1192 577 766 1218 209 1077 820 1132 1015 700 503 1340 534 728 1394 399 344 685 482 669 152 614 401 1397 460 897 37 1450