Style Scout Reference Handout Style Scout Reference
The Editor's Quick-Reference Handbook
Doc Ref: AP-6-ED
Numbers & Figures
Spell out whole numbers one through nine .
Use figures for 10 and above .
Exceptions: Always use figures for ages, dimensions (6 feet tall), and money ($5).
Never start a sentence with a figure (except for years).Incorrect: 15 students... Correct: Fifteen students...
Dates & Times
Abbreviate these months with a date: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
Never use "st," "nd," "rd," or "th" with dates.Example: Oct. 31 (Not Oct. 31st)
Times: Use lowercase periods a.m. and p.m. Example: 8 a.m. (Not 8:00 AM)
Capitalization & Titles
Capitalize formal titles before a name: Principal Smith .
Lower-case titles if they appear after the name or alone: Smith, the principal.
Quotes: Put quotation marks around book/movie titles. AP style does not use italics for titles!
Accuracy Check
Crucial Step: Trust But Verify
Name Spelling
Check every single letter. Smith or Smyth? Sarah or Sara?
Day vs. Date
Does the date actually fall on that day? Check a calendar!
Locations
Verify names of buildings and cities exactly.
Editor's Pro-Tip:
Consistency builds authority. When in doubt, look it up. House style ensures the whole publication speaks with one professional voice.
Ink and Impact Presentation Ink & Impact
Mastering Style and Accuracy
The Editor's Masterclass
The "House Style"
Consistency isn't just about rules; it's about trust.
"If we can't get the date right, why should the reader believe our story?"
What is AP Style?
Standard for news writing worldwide.
Created by the Associated Press.
Keeps writing clean and professional.
The Big Three: Numbers
1
Numbers 1–9
Spell them out!
Example: "The team has five players."
2
Numbers 10+
Use figures!
Example: "There are 24 desks in the room."
Accuracy is King
Names
Double-check spelling on ID cards or official lists. One wrong letter ruins your credit.
Dates
Check the calendar. Did that Friday football game actually happen on Friday?
Math
Do the percentages add up to 100%? Do the total student counts match?
The "Red Pen" Mentality
An editor is not a critic; an editor is a partner. Your goal is to make the writer look their absolute best.
Read it aloud
Question everything
Guided Practice
How many style or accuracy errors can you find in this paragraph?
On oct. 5th, the football team played it's 1st game. Principal davis said that 9 players scored. The game started at 7:00 PM and ended with a 14 to 12 victory.
1. oct. (Needs capitalization)
2. 5th (AP style: Oct. 5)
3. it's (Should be 'its')
4. 1st (Should be 'first')
Final Polish Worksheet Final Polish Worksheet
Stage 2 Edit: Style & Accuracy Verification
Editor:
Date:
Instructions:
In Stage 1, you checked for flow and big ideas. In Stage 2, we zoom in. Use your Style Scout Reference to verify every detail. A professional journalist never leaves a number or a name to chance.
Part 1: The Style Audit
Verify Numbers
Are 1-9 spelled out? Are 10+ written as figures? Check ages and money.
Clean Up Dates & Times
Remove "th," "st," or "rd" from dates. Check month abbreviations. Ensure times use a.m./p.m.
Professional Titles
Capitalize "Principal" or "Coach" before names; lowercase if used alone.
Part 2: Fact-Check Log
Identify 3 facts in your article and prove they are accurate:
Fact (Name, Date, or Stat) Source (How do you know?) Verification Status Verified by: __________ Verified by: __________ Verified by: __________
Editor's Summary
What was the most frequent style error you found in your draft?
One fact I double-checked that I'm glad I did:
Attach this plan to the front of your revised article draft.
Final Polish Worksheet Final Polish Worksheet
Stage 2 Edit: Style & Accuracy Verification
Editor:
Date:
Instructions:
Zoom in on the details. Use your Style Scout Reference to verify every detail. A professional journalist never leaves a number or a name to chance.
Part 1: The Style Audit
Verify Numbers
1-9 spelled out? 10+ figures? Check ages/money rules.
Clean Up Dates & Times
No "th/st/rd." Check month abbreviations. Use a.m./p.m.
Professional Titles
Capitalize titles only BEFORE names. Use quotes for book/movie titles.
Part 2: Fact-Check Log
Verify 3 specific facts from your article:
Fact (Name, Date, Stat) Source (Evidence) Status Verified By: __________ Verified By: __________ Verified By: __________
Editor's Reflection
Most common style error found:
Hardest fact to verify:
Attach this plan to the front of your final draft submission.
Ink and Impact Presentation Ink & Impact
Mastering Style and Accuracy
The Editor's Masterclass
The "House Style"
Consistency isn't just about rules; it's about trust.
"If we can't get the date right, why should the reader believe our story?"
What is AP Style?
The standard for news writing worldwide.
Created by the Associated Press.
Ensures writing is clean and unified.
The Big Three: Numbers
1
Numbers 1–9
Spell them out!
Example: "The team has five players."
2
Numbers 10+
Use figures!
Example: "There are 24 desks in the room."
Accuracy is King
Names
Check spelling on official lists. One wrong letter ruins credibility.
Dates
Check the calendar. Did that Friday game actually happen on Friday?
Math
Do the counts match? Do percentages add up correctly? Double check!
The "Red Pen" Mentality
An editor is not a critic; an editor is a partner. Your goal is to make the writer look their absolute best.
Read it aloud
Question everything
Guided Practice
How many style or accuracy errors can you find in this paragraph?
On oct. 5th, the football team played it's 1st game. Principal davis said that 9 players scored. The game started at 7:00 PM and ended with a 14 to 12 victory.
1. oct. (Needs capitalization)
2. 5th (AP style: Oct. 5)
3. it's (Should be 'its')
4. 1st (Should be 'first')
Final Polish Worksheet Final Polish Worksheet
Stage 2 Edit: Style & Accuracy Verification
Editor:
Date:
Instructions:
Zoom in. Use your Style Scout Reference to verify every detail. No number or name is left to chance.
Part 1: The Style Audit
Numbers
1-9 spelled out? 10+ figures? Ages/money correct?
Dates/Times
No "th/st." Abbreviate months. Use a.m./p.m.
Titles
Caps before names only. Quotes for book/movies.
Part 2: Fact-Check Log
Fact (Name, Date, Stat) Source (Evidence) Status Verified By: __________ Verified By: __________ Verified By: __________
Part 3: Final Polish Reflection
Most frequent error found:
Hardest fact to verify:
Attach this plan to the front of your final draft submission.
Ink and Impact Presentation Ink & Impact
Mastering Style and Accuracy
The Editor's Masterclass
The "House Style"
Consistency isn't just about rules; it's about trust.
"If we can't get the date right, why should the reader believe our story?"
What is AP Style?
The standard for news writing worldwide.
Created by the Associated Press.
Ensures writing is clean and unified.
The Big Three: Numbers
1
Numbers 1–9
Spell them out!
Example: "The team has five players."
2
Numbers 10+
Use figures!
Example: "There are 24 desks in the room."
Accuracy is King
Names
Check spelling on official lists. One wrong letter ruins credibility.
Dates
Check the calendar. Did that Friday game actually happen on Friday?
Math
Do the counts match? Do percentages add up correctly? Double check!
The "Red Pen" Mentality
An editor is not a critic; an editor is a partner. Your goal is to make the writer look their absolute best.
Read it aloud
Question everything
Guided Practice
How many style or accuracy errors can you find in this paragraph?
On oct. 5th, the football team played it's 1st game. Principal davis said that 9 players scored. The game started at 7:00 PM and ended with a 14 to 12 victory.
1. oct. (Needs capitalization)
2. 5th (AP style: Oct. 5)
3. it's (Should be 'its')
4. 1st (Should be 'first')
Final Polish Worksheet Final Polish Worksheet
Stage 2 Edit: Style & Accuracy Verification
Editor:
Date:
Instructions:
Zoom in. Use your Style Scout Reference to verify every detail. No number or name is left to chance.
Part 1: The Style Audit
Numbers
1-9 spelled out? 10+ figures? Age/money rules?
Dates/Times
No "th/st." Abbr months. Use a.m./p.m.
Titles
Caps before names. Quotes for book/movie titles.
Part 2: Fact-Check Log
Fact (Name, Date, Stat) Source (Evidence) Verification Verified By: __________ Verified By: __________ Verified By: __________
Part 3: Final Reflection
Most frequent error found:
Hardest fact to verify:
Attach this plan to the front of your final draft submission.
