AP Style Study Guide

Question 1

Ages

Answer 1

Always use figures for people and animals (not inanimate).

She is 12 years old. That desk is six years old.

Question 2

a.m, p.m

Answer 2

Lowercase, with periods.
Avoid 10 a.m. this morning.
Noon and midnight stand alone. Don’t use 12 noon or 12a.m.

Question 3

States

Answer 3

Spell out the names of all states. (Los Angeles, Chicago stand alone because they are large cities)
Northridge, California

Question 4

Died

Answer 4

Use died not passed away

Question 5

It’s, its

Answer 5

It’s is a contraction for it is or it has.

Its is the possessive form of the neuter pronoun. The cat ate its food.

Question 6

Spacing

Answer 6

Only one space between sentences

Question 7

to

Answer 7

Use to between two dates, times or numerals.

Question 8

Academic degrees

Answer 8

Use phrases instead of abbreviations when establishing someone’s credentials.
Only use abbreviations when identifying many people with degrees.
When used after a name, the academic abbreviation is placed after a comma.
Do not give titles before a name.

Question 9

Academic departments

Answer 9

Use lowercase except.

Only uppercase when using proper nouns or adjectives or when the department is apart of the title.

Question 10

Addresses

Answer 10

Use abbreviations only with a numbered address
Spell and capitalize the street names when listing a street without its number.
Only use figures for an address number.
Spell and capitalize numbers and locations when used in the address.
123 Fourth St. to 321 North St.

Question 11

held, hold

Answer 11

Use held in the literal sense: She held the lightsaber.

Don’t use it when referrinf to events, concerts, conventions etc.

Question 12

Months

Answer 12

Capitalize the names in everything.
Abbreviate only when the month is used in a specific date.
Spell out months with five letters or less.
No comma between the month and year.

Question 13

Numerals

Answer 13

Spell out 1-9, 10+ use numerals.

Question 14

Over

Answer 14

Usually spatial, nut is now accepted when referring to quantity.

Question 15

Percent

Answer 15

One word. Always spell out.

Question 16

Quote marks

Answer 16

Use quote marks for exact, word-for-word comments.

Put comma inside quote marks.

Question 17

Seasons

Answer 17

Lowercase always unless apart of a formal name.

Question 18

Series of three or more

Answer 18

Don’t use a comma before the word “and” when listing a series of three or more.

Question 19

Who, whom

Answer 19

Who= pronoun used for references to human beings and animals with names. 
Whom= when someone is the object of the verb or preposition

Question 20

Affect, effect

Answer 20

Affect - (v) to influence; as a noun is best avoided.
Ex. The game will affect the standings.

Effect - (v) to cause; she will effect a lot of leadership in her sorority;
(n) result; the effect of her leadership was amazing!