I’ve written in and taught AP style for more than two decades. But the more I read, the more I wonder if this standard is becoming less of a standard. The companies I’ve worked for in public relations have all used AP style as the baseline for press-related documents. Some of them have created their own style books, which invariably start with “Our standard style is Associated Press style, with the following exceptions.” The company then states its own exceptions from “the standard.”
Publications almost always used AP style (if they aren’t the New York Times, that is). But I’m reading more and more material – including publications – that don’t follow AP style on some of the fundamental style issues, such as state abbreviations, commas in a series, and the use of Internet, e-mail and Web site.
I also hear reports from former students that style issues matter little to many clients and organizations today. Maybe the leadership has grown up in the electronic communications era enough to feel more flexible now on some of those style questions, particularly around electronic communication (Internet, e-mail and Web site, for example).
I’d like your perspective. What do you see from your clients and your organizations? Are they sticklers for style? If so, is it AP style? If not AP style, what is it? If the standards are loose, how do you maintain consistency? Put your thoughts in a comment. I’m sure others will be interested in knowing what’s happening with other companies.
This is something I’ve thought a great deal about with my job at GM. I know all of our press releases are written in AP Style, but I don’t think we so strict with it for blog posts. As a personal preference, I always write in AP Style whether it be a press release, blog post or even an e-mail. I labored over many projects in college in an effort to avoid AP Style errors, so it would be ashame to not keep it up! Gotta love those GFEs.
Comment by Adam Denison — July 9, 2008 @ 10:42 pm
thank you for addressing my biggest professional pet peeve! you already know this (i assume the student shout-out was directed at me
but it seems like no one really cares if we use AP style or not. even grammar and general writing errors don’t seem to bother my colleagues (i cringe every time i see someone write “follow-up” when they really mean “follow up”…RRGH). my personal preference is to use AP style at all times as well (although as you can see i don’t like to capitalize…it’s my personal style 
so i’m still glad it’s a skill i learned.
Comment by lyndsey — July 10, 2008 @ 4:57 am
In my past experiences at various internships AP style has been stressed far less than it was in classes. Most, if not all internships had AP style as their standard. But there were more than a handful of times I found documents in violation of AP style. I don’t know if they were intentional deviations of AP style or if they were shooting for AP style but slipped up.
Comment by Sarah T. — July 11, 2008 @ 4:42 am
As I find myself using AP style even outside of work, it was hard when I started my internship to adjust to their standards of writing. Having the serial comma rule ingrained in my mind for the past few years, I was kind of disappointed to learn that the communications department I work in does not use the serial comma or use Web site (isn’t that one kind of new, anyway? I can forgive them for that). What I’ve found more is that they have their own style of formatting, and not following that is worse than forgetting an AP rule or two.
Comment by Tara L. — July 17, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
I am intern for the publications department for my university. We write in AP style on the Web, but have a modified AP style for our magazines, newsletters and other publications. I think when in doubt, AP is the way to go. But sometimes it is understandable to modify your style for your audience.
For example, AP style calls for using “adviser,” but the academic advising department uses “advisor.” Because of that, we use “advisor” in most publications. If we used “adviser” and then someone goes to their office and sees “advisor,” it might look like one of us made a mistake.
I think AP style strictness depends on the place and the audience.
Comment by Rachel — July 20, 2008 @ 1:32 am