Style of Writing

While AP Style is the most often used and preferred style of the CSIU, there are instances when a grant, funding source, or research paper may require a different style (for example APA or MLA). Below you will find highlights from the Associated Press (AP) Guide, followed by exceptions at the end.

Associated Press Style

The following is a short introduction and quick reference to the Associated Press (AP) style of writing. This is the preferred kind of writing for the CSIU. This information was obtained from Perdue Online Writing Lab.

Purpose

The content of newspapers and other mass media is typically the result of many different writers and editors working together. AP style provides consistent guidelines for such publications in terms of grammar, spelling, punctuation and language usage. Some guiding principles behind AP style are:

• Consistency

• Clarity

• Accuracy

• Brevity

AP style also aims to avoid stereotypes and unintentionally offensive language. By using AP style, CSIU projects consistency in our messaging and provides content that can be readily used by the news media.

There are some examples where AP Style may not be used, such as:

• Social media posts

• PowerPoint presentations