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− | ==Overview==
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− | KDHX.org web properties are a volunteer produced information and entertainment outlet designed for consumption by a diverse, primarily English-speaking audience. In order to best focus on our content, our editorial guidelines define consistent and reader-friendly standards based on the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook 2011, with a few exceptions. Hat tip to Purdue OWL's condensed [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/ AP Style guide], notably for the clear text on state abbreviations.
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− | {{Official:Notice|message=Plagiarism, in any form, is not acceptable. If you use more than two words (an original phrase) from another source, you must use quotation marks and cite the source. For more info, [[Plagiarism and syndication]].}}
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− | ==Standards==
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− | ===KDHX Specific===
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− | * DJs not programmers.
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− | * 314-664-3955, ext. 355
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− | * Generally, do not capitalize “the” for bands or venues in the middle of a sentence or headline: Los Lobos perform at the Sheldon Concert Hall. I love the Beatles. Newspapers and magazines are different: I write for The Riverfront Times, The Nation and The New York Times. Composition titles follow the same convention: My two favorite CDs are "The Essential Leonard Cohen" and "The Beatles." Radio shows and TV shows should preserve the capital "The" in all instances and should take quotation marks: I never miss "The Other One," "The Rhythm Section," "The Sopranos" and "Saturday Night Live."
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− | ===Common Word Groups===
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− | * rock 'n' roll
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− | * a cappella
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− | * hip-hop
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− | * in-studio
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− | * Genres are not capitalized, with the exception of Americana, R&B, Tex-Mex, Southern rock and a handful of others. There's a reason for such exceptions. E-mail roy at kdhx dot org for clarification.
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− | *website and email and Internet and Web and online
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− | *Collective nouns: Nouns that refer to a single unit or group take a singular verb (and pronoun): The crowd was excited. The audience is large. The team was proud. The band features three exceptional singers. A musical group that has a singular name takes a singular noun and pronoun: Coldplay is returning to St. Louis. Boston is a classic-rock band, but it has made a mark on contemporary music. Bands that have a plural name, take plural verbs and pronouns: The Beatles are the greatest band in pop history. The Antlers are coming to St. Louis; they have just released a new album.
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− | ----
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− | ===Proper Nouns===
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− | St. Louis (Note: Unlike many cities, St. Louis is one that can stand alone, without state abbreviation, in copy. See following list for other examples: http://wordwise.typepad.com/blog/2010/02/you-bet-djibouti-updates-to-ap-style-part-ii.html)
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− | ----
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− | ===Geographic===
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− | * When using ZIP code: St. Louis, MO 63130
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− | * USA and U.S. in text. In headlines, USA and US
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− | * Spell out state names when they stand alone. Abbreviate state names when a city and state are coupled (except for Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah). Examples: ''He came from Lafayette, Ind. The peace accord was signed in Dayton, Ohio. The wildfire began in California and moved east toward Carson City, Nev.'' Source: [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/ Purdue OWL].
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− | State abbreviations in AP style differ from the two-letter ZIP code abbreviations (see above). Here are the proper abbreviations when using city and state together without a ZIP code:
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− | {|
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− | |Ala.
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− | |Neb.
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− | |-
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− | |Ariz.
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− | |Nev.
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− | |-
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− | |Ark.
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− | |N.H.
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− | |-
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− | |Calif.
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− | |N.J.
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− | |-
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− | |Colo.
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− | |N.M.
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− | |-
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− | |Conn.
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− | |N.Y.
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− | |-
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− | |Del.
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− | |N.C.
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− | |-
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− | |Fla.
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− | |N.D.
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− | |-
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− | |Ga.
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− | |Okla.
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− | |-
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− | |Ill.
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− | |Ore.
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− | |-
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− | |Ind.
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− | |Pa.
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− | |-
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− | |Kan.
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− | |R.I.
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− | |-
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− | |Ky.
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− | |S.C.
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− | |-
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− | |La.
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− | |S.D.
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− | |-
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− | |Md.
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− | |Tenn.
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− | |-
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− | |Mass.
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− | |Vt.
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− | |-
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− | |Mich.
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− | |Va.
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− | |-
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− | |Minn.
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− | |Wash.
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− | |-
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− | |Miss.
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− | |W.Va.
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− | |-
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− | |Mo.
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− | |Wis.
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− | |-
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− | |Mont.
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− | |Wyo.
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− | |-
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− | |}
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− | ----
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− | ===Dates and Times===
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− | * Times: 2 a.m. or noon or midnight
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− | * Central standard time is CST. However, to simplify and avoid confusion about daylight saving time, all times, when targeted at a non-local audience, should be indicated with the word Central: 7 a.m. Central
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− | * To indicate sequences or inclusive dates or times, use an en dash (or a single hyphen, with no spaces) instead of “to:” Apply here May 7-9, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
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− | * Numerical dates like 1/11/10 are not technically AP Style, and should be avoided in most cases; however, given the needs of KDHX, numerical dates are acceptable in titles and other listings.
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− | * Generally speaking, do not use “th,” “st” or “rd” with dates: January 11th, 2010 is incorrect. January 11, 2010 is correct. You may also abbreviate long months, when using the complete date: Jan. 11, 2010 is also correct.
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− | * However, for centuries, follow this rule: Lowercase, spelling out numbers less than 10: first century, seventh century, the 19th century, the 20th century, the 21st century, etc.
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− | ===Punctuation===
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− | * Unless absolutely necessary to avoid ambiguity, no comma after the final item in a series: rock, rap and soul.
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− | * To separate sentences, use one space, not two.
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− | * Never use the & (ampersand) unless it is officially part of a name (name of a band, book, play, etc.). Do not use ampersand in tags to KDHX.org posts.
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− | * When making a plural noun possessive, just add an apostrophe: The books' jackets were torn. If the noun is singular but ends in an s, add 's: The bass's mouth was large. If it's a proper noun that ends in s, just add an apostrophe: St. Louis' parks are precious.
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− | * Avoid unnecessary ellipses. Do not use to indicate pauses or disjointed thoughts. Use only when deleting words from a quotation. Include a space before and after the ellipsis: Bob Dylan said, "The answer ... is blowing in the wind." If the material deleted forms a complete sentence, consider punctuating like this: The volunteer wrote, "I don't understand your rules. ... Please explain them."
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− | === Hyperlinking ===
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− | *Unless absolutely necessary, do not write out URLs in copy. Instead, use the name of the institution, company or website and link it. Incorrect: Visit [http://filmchallenge.org filmchallenge.org] for more information. Correct: Visit [http://filmchallenge.org National Film Challenge] for more information.
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− | *Moreover, use semantic linking wherever possible. The linked text should describe what is being linked instead of naming the destination: Listen to the [http://npr.org new Nada Surf album]. (Not: Listen to the new Nada Surf album at [http://npr.org NPR Music].)
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− | ===Numbering===
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− | Generally, '''spell out numbers under 10'''; otherwise use figures for numbers.<br>
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− | Exceptions are made for ages and statistical context. (More detail below.)
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− | :- ''Apples, oranges and peaches are my three favorite fruits''.
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− | :- ''I made a top 10 list for 2011''.
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− | '''Spell out fractions''' less than 1 in text, using hyphens between words: - ''two-thirds, four-fifths, seven-sixteenths''.<br>
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− | Use figures for more than 1 in text: - ex. ''1 1/2, 2 3/4, 5 1/8''.<br>
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− | Preferably, '''convert to decimals''': - ex. ''The average household is 2.5 individuals''.
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− | Always '''spell out''' the number at the '''start of a sentence''': - ex. ''Two awesome DJs spun records last night''.
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− | Use '''figures for ages''':
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− | :- ''KDHX is 22 years old''.
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− | :- ''KDHX is a 22-year-old radio station''.
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− | :- ''My pet is a 3-year-old cat''.
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− | When using numerals in a '''statistical''' or "'''countable'''" context, '''do not spell out'''. Always use figures (unless at the start of a sentence):
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− | :- ''Currently, almost 9 percent of the U.S. is out of work''.
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− | :- ''The cost of the average CD is $8''.
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− | :- ''It is not surprising that 1 in 4 KDHX listeners likes the Beatles''.
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− | '''Spell out million and billion''', and precede with figures, up to two decimals: - ex. ''There were 4.35 million MP3s downloaded in 2009. However, there were approximately 7,542,000 MP3s deleted from teenagers' iTunes in 2009''.
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− | For '''ordinals''' (first, second, third etc.) '''spell out first through ninth''' when indicating sequence in time or location: - ex. ''second base, the First Amendment, she was fourth in line''.
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− | :- '''Starting with 10th, use figures''': - ex. ''11th, 12th, 13th etc''.
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− | :- Use '''1st, 2nd, 3rd''' etc. only when the ordinal is '''part of a formal name''': - ex. ''The 1st Ward of St. Louis, the 2nd District Court''.
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− | For '''decades''', use figures: - ex. ''60s, '70s, '80s etc''.
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− | ===Hyphenation===
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− | When in doubt, '''do not hyphenate'''. Compound modifiers are an exception: ex. "''fast-paced action''," "''finely-spun cloth''," "''pitch-shifted vocals''," "''well-written essay''" and "''golden-haired hamster''."
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− | Use the '''em dash''' ( -- ) when creating a parenthetical or for appositive effect. Make the dash by typing the word, then a space, then two hyphens, then a space, then the next word: ex. ''I like chips -- especially potato chips.''
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− | ===Titling===
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− | '''Song titles''' go in quotation marks and use standard capitalization: ex. “''The Long and Winding Road''”
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− | '''Album''', '''movie''' and '''play''' titles go in quotation marks: ex. "''Abbey Road''," "''The Godfather''" and "''Hamlet''"
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− | "'''Titles'''" refer to composition titles (names of plays, songs, albums, novels). For titles:
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− | :* All substantial nouns, verbs, adjectives etc. are capitalized.
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− | :* Prepositions, pronouns and conjunctions which are 4 letters or more are always capitalized: ex. ''"I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One" by Yo La Tengo is a great album.''
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− | :* The first and last word of a book, song, movie etc. title are always capitalized, regardless of letter count: ex. ''“To Be or Not to Be In” is a strange title for a song.''
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− | :* When a composition title appears in a headline, use single quote marks: ex. ''John Hiatt continues his bluesy streak on 'Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns'''
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− | :* Newspaper, magazine and blog names do not go in quotation marks, nor are they italicized: ''ex. The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Atlantic Monthly, Consequence of Sound.''
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− | ----
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− | ===Headlines===
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− | For headlines (i.e., a KDHX.org website article,) AP headlines '''capitalize only the first word, proper nouns or proper abbreviations''':
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− | :- ex. ''KDHX welcomes the Twangfest festival to St. Louis, starting June 9, 2010''
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− | Use '''figures for all numerals''' in headlines and use '''single quote marks''' instead of double:
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− | :- ex. ''KDHX charts featured 3 bluegrass albums this week: 'Paper Airplane,' 'The Essential Bill Monroe' and 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'''
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− | ===Notes on Use of Software===
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− | Turn off "smart quotes" or "curly quotes" in Microsoft Word. These are the bane of web publishing.
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− | To turn them off - '''Tools''' > '''Autocorrect''' > '''Autoformat as You Type'''
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− | : [[File:AutoCorrectWdw.png|border|px300]]
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− | :- '''Uncheck''' the box by '''"Straight quotes" with "smart quotes"'''.
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− | That's how it works on '''Mac Word'''.
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− | If that doesn't work, try searching the '''Help''' menu in Word for "'''smart quotes'''" or "'''curly quotes'''."
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− | :- '''Be very careful when pasting''' from a Google or Word doc into an online text editor. '''Use plain text''' to paste in!
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− | :- Consider prepping your text by pasting it into the '''[http://jhy.io/tools/convert-word-to-plain-text Convert Microsoft Word to Plain Text tool]''', which will auto-magically scrub out the nasty characters for you.
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