"More than" Just Words: Following AP Style Lends Credibility in the Newsroom
by Jennifer Karchmer, published March 24, 2014
While some people may roll their eyes after reading Merrill Perlman’s CJR post from March 24, 2014: “So over it – The reaction to a rule change,” I would like to weigh in as a fan of the discussion regarding the correct, and apparently changing, usage of “more than” vs. “over.” I’m a preservationist and believe the details matter.
While some people may roll their eyes after reading Merrill Perlman’s CJR post from March 24, 2014: “So over it – The reaction to a rule change,” I would like to weigh in as a fan of the discussion regarding the correct, and apparently changing, usage of “more than” vs. “over.” I’m a preservationist and believe the details matter.
See the CJR story for background on why some copy editors are up in arms about a style change.
I am not a copy editor but a reporter with 23 years on the beat. Having worked as a staff writer at the AP in the early 1990s and now as a college newswriting instructor tasked with drilling AP style into students’ brains, I follow and adhere to AP style in all of my writing. The latest edition of the style guide is within arm’s reach on my desk, and several marked up copies I can’t seem to part with are neighbors on my bookshelf.
Like some copy editors, I am similarly aghast at the news that “more than/over” can be used interchangeably. Is this acquiescence due to carelessness and incorrect usage over the years? Is it due to inconvenience? Laziness? Or is it a move to make things more clear for the reader?
While this may seem like a topic appropriate only for a cocktail party full of nerdy wordsmiths, I believe this discussion hits on the very essence of journalism and its foundation built on accuracy.
All style is arbitrary; that’s why it’s called style. Whether the period goes inside the quotation marks or outside is a matter of preference based on traditional rules of a culture. Quotation marks, for example, are constructed and don’t come with directions for usage. The users of the language create and dictate those rules. In the UK, I might be “nitpicky”. Whereas in the US, I might be “nitpicky.”
Take a moment and refer to your AP style guide (technically “The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law”) to look up “further/farther,” the correct spelling of “email” or “Internet” and where to place “only” correctly in a sentence (I love this one: “He only has eyes for me. He has eyes only for me… Only he has eyes for me…” You get it.)
Like some copy editors, I am similarly aghast at the news that “more than/over” can be used interchangeably. Is this acquiescence due to carelessness and incorrect usage over the years? Is it due to inconvenience? Laziness? Or is it a move to make things more clear for the reader?
While this may seem like a topic appropriate only for a cocktail party full of nerdy wordsmiths, I believe this discussion hits on the very essence of journalism and its foundation built on accuracy.
All style is arbitrary; that’s why it’s called style. Whether the period goes inside the quotation marks or outside is a matter of preference based on traditional rules of a culture. Quotation marks, for example, are constructed and don’t come with directions for usage. The users of the language create and dictate those rules. In the UK, I might be “nitpicky”. Whereas in the US, I might be “nitpicky.”
Take a moment and refer to your AP style guide (technically “The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law”) to look up “further/farther,” the correct spelling of “email” or “Internet” and where to place “only” correctly in a sentence (I love this one: “He only has eyes for me. He has eyes only for me… Only he has eyes for me…” You get it.)
Test your knowledge. Take an AP Style quiz.
These rules are based on history, usage and tradition with the goal of clarity for the reader. Everyone has a rationale for correct usage but the bottom line is: where do we go for the standard? Chicago Manual? Turabian? Strunk & White? In the newsroom, we pull out our AP stylebooks.
As I read a news story, and come across “Over 200 people attended the event” or “More than 200 people attended the event,” this word choice tips me off on how well trained the writer is and leads to other credibility questions. Did the reporter take the time (10 secs) to consult AP style? Did she take the steps to double check dates in her reporting? Did she get the spelling of sources’ names right? Did she go the extra mile in asking questions beyond the spoon-fed press release?
Journalism is based on the details, the extra phone call for verification, the primary source to the obscure fact. Triangulation and corroboration are cornerstones of the profession and our word choice demonstrates our work ethic. An incorrect usage of “they’re/their/there” is a credibility killer that introduces doubt in the reader’s mind potentially putting an entire story in question.
As I read a news story, and come across “Over 200 people attended the event” or “More than 200 people attended the event,” this word choice tips me off on how well trained the writer is and leads to other credibility questions. Did the reporter take the time (10 secs) to consult AP style? Did she take the steps to double check dates in her reporting? Did she get the spelling of sources’ names right? Did she go the extra mile in asking questions beyond the spoon-fed press release?
Journalism is based on the details, the extra phone call for verification, the primary source to the obscure fact. Triangulation and corroboration are cornerstones of the profession and our word choice demonstrates our work ethic. An incorrect usage of “they’re/their/there” is a credibility killer that introduces doubt in the reader’s mind potentially putting an entire story in question.
Yes, words matter. Careless writing or sloppiness is no excuse for lack of adherence to AP style.
In an all too common example in local crime stories, absence of the word “alleged” means a libel suit from someone merely arrested or accused of a crime. Whether it’s a trespassing misdemeanor or an egregious felony, those accused are innocent until courts prove otherwise. An “according to police” or “alleged” makes all the difference.
Yes, words matter. Careless writing or sloppiness is no excuse for lack of adherence to AP style. Words are tools — the only tools — that we reporters, copy editors and headline writers employ to enter into the dance with our readers. Similar to a musician whose oboe is slightly out of tune or the architect whose measurements are off by just a 1/16th of an inch, a writer whose words lack precision is irresponsibility to the craft.
As writing lacks nonverbal cues such as a smile, a wink or even an augmentation in volume, it is inherently flawed as a communication medium. Even in speech, each word carries weight and shows our audience how much homework we’ve done. Don’t let speed or carelessness overpower the foundation of precision in our language.
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Links for further reading:
Freedom of the press: What is libel?
CJR: More on "More than"
CJR: The Language Corner
The AP Stylebook
Yes, words matter. Careless writing or sloppiness is no excuse for lack of adherence to AP style. Words are tools — the only tools — that we reporters, copy editors and headline writers employ to enter into the dance with our readers. Similar to a musician whose oboe is slightly out of tune or the architect whose measurements are off by just a 1/16th of an inch, a writer whose words lack precision is irresponsibility to the craft.
As writing lacks nonverbal cues such as a smile, a wink or even an augmentation in volume, it is inherently flawed as a communication medium. Even in speech, each word carries weight and shows our audience how much homework we’ve done. Don’t let speed or carelessness overpower the foundation of precision in our language.
###
Links for further reading:
Freedom of the press: What is libel?
CJR: More on "More than"
CJR: The Language Corner
The AP Stylebook