An AP-style press release uses clear, consistent news-writing conventions for spelling, numbers, dates, names, and punctuation. The AP Stylebook is a reference, not a badge of endorsement: The Associated Press does not approve an organization's release merely because it follows a style convention. Its current guidance is updated, so verify a rule in the official edition instead of relying on an old online list.
Edit the news before the typography
Lead with a verified development that matters to a defined audience. Give the who, what, when, where, and why that are actually known. Support the strongest claim with a source, not a slogan. A perfectly styled release with vague news or an unapproved quote remains a weak release.
Keep the headline specific and the opening paragraph direct. Put essential facts before background. If a figure is an estimate, label it. If a partnership is only proposed, do not describe it as signed. Confirm names, job titles, organization names, dates, and locations with the people responsible before distribution.
A focused AP-style editing pass
01
Names and titles
Check each person's preferred name and role. Use the current AP Stylebook for capitalization and title placement, and keep the treatment consistent.
02
Numbers and dates
Use one style for figures, dates, times, and units. Verify the underlying quantities separately; a style check cannot make an incorrect number true.
03
Locations
Make the dateline and place names unambiguous to readers beyond the organization's headquarters. Confirm local and international naming where relevant.
04
Abbreviations
Spell out an unfamiliar term when first introduced, then use the short form only if it helps the reader. Do not assume every newsroom knows internal acronyms.
05
Quotes and attribution
Attribute opinion to a real, authorized speaker. Preserve the speaker's meaning; do not edit a quote into a factual claim that cannot be supported.
06
Links and contacts
Test source links and provide a reachable media contact. Style cannot replace the ability to verify or follow up.
Use the official guide for disputed rules
AP describes its Stylebook as a writing and editing reference used by newsrooms and communicators. It covers much more than a handful of familiar punctuation rules, and its online version changes as usage evolves. When a client, publication, or legal requirement uses another style, document that exception rather than silently mixing conventions.
A final review should include a factual approver, a plain-language read by someone outside the project, a style check, and a contact check. Never claim an AP affiliation or imply that compliance guarantees pickup. NewswireJet's AP-style quick reference is a concise companion, but confirm edge cases in the official Stylebook.