School/Squirrles: Writing With (AP) Style

On first reference, you use a first and last name: John Smith. But what do you do on a second and subsequent references?

Here is AP Style, under names:

In general, use only last names on second reference.

But what if there is more than one person with the same last name? AP Style has that covered, too. Also under names:

When it is necessary to distinguish between two people who use the same last name, as in married couples or brothers and sisters, use the first and last name.

So in the case of Sandra Adler, who was talking about her daughter -- presumably with the same last name -- it would be Sandra Adler in all references. If her daughter wasn't in the picture, it would simply be Adler in all references after the first.

Either way, try not to use just a first name on any reference.


Also, does punctuation go inside a quote, like this:

"I rule," Omar said.


or outside, like this:

"I rule", Omar said.

It's the former.  Punctuation goes inside a quote.

Now, let's talk about titles.

If someone's title precedes their name, then you capitalize: East Lansing Athletic Director Hugh Baker

If someone's title follows their name, then it's lower-case: Hugh Baker, East Lansing athletic director

Also, titles in most cases should not be included after a first reference. You may start out by saying Professor Laura Ruffenboch, but in subsequent references it's just Ruffenboch, minus the professor and Laura.


If you're referring to an organization by formal title, then it's usually caps: the East Lansing School Board

However, on second reference -- once you've established what group you're referring to -- you can use a generic title in lower-case: the school board

And if you break up the title or rearrange the sequence in an informal way, then drop to lower-case: the school board in East Lansing