Ledes: Writing With (AP) Style

Let's take a look, shall we?

First, let's revisit number rules: in general, spell out numbers nine and under; use numerals for 10 and above.

Exceptions include ages (always use numbers; e.g., a 6-year-old) and numbers at the start of a sentence (always spell out; e.g., Forty-year-old Joe Smith died today).

Also, when talking abut Constance Wei, is is State Representative Constance Wei; or State Rep. Constance Wei; or Constance Wei, a State Representative; or Constance Wei, a state representative?

It's State Rep. Constance Wei; or Constance Wei, a state representative. How do I know that? AP Style, under titles:

In general confine capitalization to formal titles used directly before an individual's name ... capitalize formal titles when they are used immediately before one or more names ...  the following formal titles are capitalized and abbreviated as shown when used before a name both inside and outside quotations: Dr., Gov., Lt. Gov., Rep., Sen., and certain military ranks listed in military titles. All other formal titles are spelled out in all uses. 

There are a ton of exceptions under titles, so that's a section you probably want to check frequently.


In writing about this robbery, one of you referred to the robber as a thief. Are those terms interchangeable? No. How do I know that? AP Style.

This is what it says under burglary, larceny, robbery, theft:

Legal definitions of burglary vary, but in general a burglary involves entering a building (not necessarily by breaking in) and remaining unlawfully with the intention of committing a crime.

Larceny is the legal term for the wrongful taking of property. Its nonlegal equivalents are stealing or theft.

Robbery in the legal sense involves the use of violence or threat in committing larceny. In a wider sense it means to plunder or rifle, and may thus be used even if a person was not present: His house was robbed while he was away.

Theft describes a larceny that did not involve threat, violence or plundering.

So, based on that information, was he a robber or a thief? Why or why not?

Also, was the address 2752 Michigan Ave or 2752 Michigan Ave. or 2752 Michigan Avenue?

Let's revisit AP Style, under addresses:

Use the abbreviations Ave., Blvd. and St. only with a numbered address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Spell them out and capitalize when part of a formal street name without a number: Pennsylvania Avenue. Lowercase and spell out when used alone or with more than one street name: Massachusetts and Pennsylvania avenues.

Spell out and capitalize First through Ninth when used as street names; use figures with two letters for 10th and above: 7 Fifth Ave., 100 21st St.So in this case, it's 2752 Michigan Ave.

And if you referred to the intersection of 29th Street and Melrose Avenue, that would be the corerct reference, not just 29th and Melrose.

Let's be sure we're getting familiar with these larger AP Style points.