AP Style Reference Sheets
Words and phrases to avoid in journalistic writing
In stories
a lot
a variety of
all the hard word paid off
appears to be …
basically
believes
definitely
done
etc. (the abbreviation)
everybody
everyone
everyone had a good time
extremely
feels
goals and purposes for anything
great
great deal
like no other
many
most adjectives and adverbs (if a word ends in –ly or –y, it is most likely an adverb and should be avoided)
most of the first and second person pronouns—we, our, you, your, I, me—except in quotes
nice
numerous
rather
really
passion
says (for attribution instead of said—or anything else except said. Likewise, no stated, commented, smiled, laughed …)
seems to be
several
some
sort of
spirit (The team shows its spirit …)
2011, 2012, 2013 (any year within 12 months of the publication date)
school’s name or initials
stuff
there is, there are, it is, it was—particularly at the beginnings of sentences
thing/things
this year
under the direction of …
unlike any other
various
very
when asked about …
zeroes in times (for minutes)—10:00 should be 10 a.m. or 10 p.m.
In quotes
“We were like a family” (in sports stories)
“It is/was fun”—or any quote that uses “fun”
“We have spirit”
in captions/cutlines
looking on (whatever that means)
left to right—in captions for groups and teams
pictured above or below (or whereever)
posing for the camera
smiling for the camera
omit whenever possible
a
an
the
that
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