"The Basics" AP Style Study Guide

Question 1

Academic Departments

Answer 1

the department of history, the history department
the department of English, the English department
(When department is part of the full name): University of Connecticut Department of Medicine

Question 2

Academic degrees

Answer 2

John Jones, who has a doctorate in psychology
Daniel Moynihan,Ph.D., spoke.
Dr. Pam Jones, a chemist.

Question 3

Addresses:

1600 Pennsylvania Ave or 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

Answer 3

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Use the abbreviation Ave, Blvd, and St. Only with a numbered address

Question 4

Apostrophe:
She gave the CD’s to me.
He has too many CDs to count.

Answer 4

WRONG: She gave the CD’s to me.
RIGHT: He has too many CDs to count.

Do not use an apostrophe if it’s simply a plural and NOT a possessive.

Question 5

Died

Answer 5

Use “died” not “passed away”

Question 6

Months

Answer 6

Capitalize the names in all uses. When a month is used with a specific date,
Abbreviate only: Jan, Feb, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, and Dec
Spell out months with five letters or less: March, April, May, June, and July

Question 7

Numerals:
993 freshman entered the college last year or
Last year 993 freshman entered the college?

Answer 7

WRONG: 993 freshman entered the college last year.
RIGHT: Last year 993 freshman entered the college.

Avoid starting a sentence with a numeral since it will need to be spelled out.

Question 8

Quote marks

Answer 8

Use quote marks for exact, word for word comments. Put a comma inside the ending quote marks.

CSUN is a great place to learn,” said Stephanie Bluestein, journalism professor.

Question 9

Seasons: Capitalized or lowercase?

Answer 9

Lowercase spring, summer, fall and winter

Question 10

Series of three or more: comma or no comma before and?

Answer 10

Do not use a comma before the word “and” when listing a series of three or more things.

Question 11

Titles: when to use Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms.

Answer 11

Use courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) only In direct quotations. On second reference use only their last name.

Wrong: Mrs. Sally Smith is a Beatles fan.
Right: Sally Smith is a Beatles fan.

Question 12

To: when to use to?

Answer 12

Use “to” between two dates, times, or numerals (Do not use a hyphen to separate dates, times or numerals)

Question 13

That and which

Answer 13

Use “that” and “which” in referring to inanimate objects and to animals without a name.
Use “that” for essential clauses (Important to the meaning of the sentence and without commas)
Ex: I remember the day that we met.

Use “which” for nonessential clauses (pronoun is less necessary and use commas)
Ex: The dog, which had strong legs, was a natural jumper.

Question 14

Who, whom

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Over: quantity and spatial relationships

Answer 15

Spatial relationship: The plane flew over the city

Quantity: Their salaries increased over $20 a week.

Question 16

State Names

Answer 16

Spell out names of all states. For large cities like Los Angeles, don’t include the state.

Question 17

Held,hold

Answer 17

Do not use held when referring to events, concerts, conventions, etc.
Wrong: The club held its meeting on Thursday.
Right: The club had its meeting on Thursday

Question 18

a.m, p.m

Answer 18

Always lowercase and with periods

Question 19

Affect, effect

Answer 19

Affect: (verb) to influence
Affect: (noun) best avoided
Effect: (verb) to cause
Effect: (noun) result

Question 20

Numerals

Answer 20

Spell out one through nine; 10 and higher use numerals