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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.
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| − | Hat tip to Purdue OWL's condensed '''[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/ AP Style guide]''', most notably for the clear text on state abbreviations.
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| − |
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| − | {{Official:Notice|message='''Plagiarism, in any form, is not acceptable'''.<br>
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| − | If you use more than two words (an original phrase) from another source, you must use quotation marks and cite the source.<br>
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| − | For more info, read '''[[Plagiarism and syndication]]'''.}}
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| − | ----
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| − |
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| − | ==Standards==
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| − | ===KDHX Specific===
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| − | Use "'''DJs'''," not "'''programmers'''."
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| − |
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| − | The correct telephone number format for the station is '''314-664-3955, ext. 355'''.
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| − |
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| − | <u>'''"The" vs. "the"'''</u><br>
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| − | Generally, '''do not capitalize “the”''' for bands or venues in the '''middle of a sentence''' or in a '''headline''':
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| − | :- ''Los Lobos perform at '''the''' Sheldon Concert Hall''.
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| − | :- ''I love '''the''' Beatles''.
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| − |
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| − | '''Newspapers and magazines''' are different:
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| − | :- ''I write for '''The''' Riverfront Times, '''The''' Nation and '''The''' New York Times''.
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| − |
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| − | '''Composition titles''' follow the same convention:
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| − | :- ''My two favorite CDs are "'''The''' Essential Leonard Cohen" and "'''The''' Beatles."''
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| − |
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| − | '''Radio shows and TV shows''' should preserve the capital "The" in all instances and should take quotation marks:
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| − | :- ''I never miss "'''The''' Other One," "'''The''' Rhythm Section," "'''The''' Sopranos" and "Saturday Night Live."''
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| − | ----
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| − |
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| − | ===Common Word Groups===
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| − | '''Genres are not capitalized''', with the exception of ''Americana, R&B, Tex-Mex, Southern rock'' and a handful of others.<br>
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| − | There's a reason for such exceptions. E-mail '''roy at kdhx dot org''' for clarification.
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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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| − |
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| − | <u>'''Internet terms and capitalization'''</u>
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| − | * website
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| − | * email
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| − | * Internet
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| − | * Web
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| − | * online
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| − |
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| − | '''Collective nouns''' are nouns that refer to a single unit or group and take a singular verb (and pronoun):
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| − | :- ''The crowd was excited''.
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| − | :- ''The audience is large''.
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| − | :- ''The team was proud''.
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| − | :- ''The band features three exceptional singers''.
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| − |
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| − | A musical group that has a singular name takes a singular noun and pronoun:
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| − | :- ''Coldplay is returning to St. Louis''.
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| − | :- ''Boston is a classic-rock band, but it has made a mark on contemporary music''.
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| − |
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| − | Bands that have a plural name, take plural verbs and pronouns:
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| − | :- ''The Beatles are the greatest band in pop history''.
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| − | :- ''The Antlers are coming to St. Louis; they have just released a new album''.
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| − | ----
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| − |
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| − | ===Proper Nouns===
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| − | <u>'''St. Louis'''</u><br>
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| − | Unlike many cities, St. Louis is one that can stand alone in text copy, without state abbreviation.
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| − |
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| − | See the following list at '''[http://wordwise.typepad.com/blog/2010/02/you-bet-djibouti-updates-to-ap-style-part-ii.html Word Wise]''' for other examples.
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| − |
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| − | ----
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| − |
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| − | ===Geographic===
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| − | When using a '''ZIP code''': - ex. ''St. Louis, MO 63130''
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| − |
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| − | '''USA''' is always "'''USA'''" in both text and in headlines. No periods.<br>
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| − | '''U.S.''' with periods is used in text, but in headlines use "'''US'''" with no periods.
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| − |
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| − | ====State names====
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| − | '''Spell out state names''' when they stand alone.
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| − |
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| − | Use '''abbreviate state names''' when a city and state are coupled (except for Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah).<br>
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| − | :- ''He moved to Gary, Ind.''
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| − | :- ''The movie was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio''.
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| − | :- ''The race began in California and traveled northeast toward Las Vegas, Nev.''
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| − |
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| − | Source: [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/ Purdue OWL].
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| − |
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| − | ====State abbreviations====
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| − | State abbreviations in AP style differ from the two-letter ZIP code abbreviations (see above).
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| − |
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| − | Here are the proper abbreviations when using city and state together and without a ZIP code.
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| − |
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| − | :{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; color: green; width: 400px;"
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| − | | Ala. || Kan. || Nev. || S.C.
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| − | |-
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| − | | Ariz. || Ky. || N.H. || S.D.
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| − | |-
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| − | | Ark. || La. || N.J. || Tenn.
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| − | |-
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| − | | Calif. || Md. || N.M. || Vt.
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| − | |-
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| − | | Colo. || Mass. || N.Y. || Va.
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| − | |-
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| − | | Conn. || Mich. || N.C. || Wash.
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| − | |-
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| − | | Del. || Minn. || N.D. || W.Va.
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| − | |-
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| − | | Fla. || Miss. || Okla. || Wis.
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| − | |-
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| − | | Ga. || Mo. || Ore. || Wyo.
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| − | |-
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| − | | Ill. || Mont. || Pa. ||
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| − | |-
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| − | | Ind. || Neb. || R.I. ||
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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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| − |
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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": - ex. '''''7 a.m. Central'''''
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| − |
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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”''': - ex. ''Apply here May 7-9, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.''
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| − |
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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.
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| − | :- '''Incorrect:''' ''January 11th, 2010''
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| − | :- '''Correct:''' ''January 11, 2010''
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| − | You may also abbreviate long months, when using the complete date.
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| − | :- '''Correct:''' ''Jan. 11, 2010''
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| − |
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| − | For '''centuries''', follow this rule:
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| − | :- for numbers '''less than 10''', spell out in lowercase: - ex. ''first century, seventh century''
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| − | :- for numbers '''11 and higher''': - ex. ''the 19th century, the 20th century, the 21st century''
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| − | ----
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| − |
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| − | ===Punctuation===
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| − | Unless absolutely necessary to avoid ambiguity, use '''no comma after the final item''' in a series: - ex. ''rock, rap and soul''.
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| − |
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| − | '''Separate sentences''' using '''one space''', not two.
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| − |
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| − | '''Never use the ampersand''' (&) unless it is officially part of a name, (i.e., name of a band, book, play, etc.).<br>
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| − | Do not use ampersand in tags or links to KDHX.org posts.
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| − | When making a '''plural noun''' possessive, just '''add an apostrophe''': - ex. ''The books' jackets were torn''.<br>
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| − | :- If the noun is singular but ends in an "s," add "'s": - ex. ''The bass's mouth was large''.<br>
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| − | :- If it's a proper noun that ends in "s," just add an apostrophe: -ex. ''St. Louis' parks are precious''.
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| − |
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| − | '''Avoid unnecessary ellipses'''.
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| − | :- Do not use to indicate pauses or disjointed thoughts.
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| − | :- Use only when deleting words from a quotation.
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| − | :- Include a space before and after the ellipsis: - ex. ''Bob Dylan said, "The answer ... is blowing in the wind."''
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| − | :- If the material deleted forms a complete sentence, consider punctuating like this: - ex. ''The volunteer wrote, "I don't understand your rules. ... Please explain them."''
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| − |
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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.
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| − | :- '''Incorrect:''' Visit [http://filmchallenge.org filmchallenge.org] for more information.
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| − | :- '''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:
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| − |
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| − | :- '''Incorrect:''' Listen to the new Nada Surf album at [http://npr.org NPR Music].
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| − | :- '''Correct:''' Listen to the [http://npr.org new Nada Surf album].
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| − | ----
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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − | ----
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| − |
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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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| − | ----
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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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| − |
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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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