Part 1: Writer Guidelines
1.1 Style Foundation
Business Pulse follows the Associated Press Stylebook. Review the guidelines below when writing articles. For additional AP Stylebook explanations, visit apstylebook.com or search formatting questions online.
1.2 Priority of Guidelines
Although the AP Stylebook answers most formatting questions, writers should first consult the Business Pulse-specific guidelines in Part 2 below, as these take precedence.
Part 2: General Consistency Guidelines for Articles
Use the AP Stylebook for anything not listed here.
Spelling and Language
2.1 American Spelling
Use American dictionary spelling:
- traveling not travelling
- apologize not apologise
- color not colour
- center not centre
Punctuation
2.2 No Oxford Comma
Do not use the Oxford comma (serial comma before "and" in a list).
- Correct: The five-story structure has capacity for over 600 vehicles, 10 EV charging stations and 50 bikes.
- Incorrect: The five-story structure has capacity for over 600 vehicles, 10 EV charging stations, and 50 bikes.
2.3 Titles in Quotation Marks
Place titles of books, movies, poems, songs, TV shows, etc. in quotation marks. Do not use quotation marks around websites, journals or magazines.
- Book: "To Kill a Mockingbird"
- Magazine: Business Pulse (italicized, no quotes)
2.14 Single Space After Periods
Use only one space after a period.
2.15 Em Dashes
Use spaces on either side of an em dash.
- There has been an increase — though opposed fiercely by many — in alternative natural energy practices.
2.17 No Commas Before Business Suffixes
Don't add commas in front of LLC, Corp. or other business designations.
- Correct: Acme Corp.
- Incorrect: Acme, Corp.
Names and Titles
2.4 No Courtesy Titles
Don't use courtesy titles such as Mr., Mrs., Miss and Ms.
2.8 Name Usage
Use first and last names at the initial introduction, then first name afterward. This creates a more personable feel to the article.
- First reference: Sarah Johnson says the company is expanding.
- Subsequent references: Sarah explains that growth is expected to continue.
2.11 Job Title Capitalization
Capitalize job titles when used as proper nouns before a name.
- Executive Director Barbara Chase is requesting a meeting.
- The executive director is requesting a meeting.
Dates
2.5 Date Formatting
- Don't use st, nd, rd or th with dates
- Use Arabic figures for dates
- Capitalize and spell out the month unless used with a date
- When abbreviated with a date, use: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
- Always spell out: March, April, May, June and July
Examples:
- February (month alone)
- Feb. 15 (with date)
- March 20 (always spelled out)
Numbers
2.13 Number Formatting
- Spell out numbers one through nine
- Use figures for 10 and above
- Always spell out a number if it starts a sentence
Examples:
- In the first semester of the final year, five graduates served as interns.
- In the second semester, 15 students accepted positions with Whatcom County organizations.
- Eighteen sixth-graders went to summer camps.
Abbreviations and Terminology
2.12 Abbreviations
Use an abbreviation only after its full name has been explained.
- Whatcom Business Alliance members believe success is the largest driver of community prosperity. WBA members work together to make Whatcom a stronger place to do business.
2.16 Country Abbreviations
Write US or USA, not U.S. or U.S.A.
Writing Style
2.9 Active Voice
Keep your writing active, not passive.
- Active: The company asks that employees use the staff room.
- Passive: Employees are asked to use the staff room...
- Passive: The staff room was used by the employees.
2.10 Present Tense
Write articles in present tense.
- Correct: she says
- Incorrect: she said
Part 3: AP Stylebook Essential Guidelines
Numbers
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Spell out numbers below 10 | five children, three companies |
| Use figures for 10 and above | 11 grandchildren, 25 employees |
| Never start a sentence with a figure (except years) | Twenty-five people attended. |
| Always use figures for ages | a 5-year-old child, she is 25 |
| Hyphenate ages used as adjectives | 21-year-old student |
| No apostrophes in decade ranges | He is in his 20s |
Addresses
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Use figures for numbered addresses | 123 Main St. |
| Abbreviate Ave., Blvd., St. with numbered addresses | 456 Oak Ave. |
| Spell out when no number is present | Main Street, Oak Avenue |
| Spell out numbered street names 1-9 | Fifth Avenue |
| Use figures for street names 10+ | 42nd Street |
Technology and Modern Terms
| Term | Usage |
|---|---|
| One word, lowercase | |
| website | One word, lowercase |
| internet | Lowercase |
| hashtag | One word |
| smartphone | One word |
| esports | One word (no hyphen) |
Quick Reference Checklist
Before submitting your article, verify:
- American spelling throughout
- No Oxford commas
- Book/movie titles in quotation marks; magazine names without
- No courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms.)
- Dates formatted correctly (no st, nd, rd, th)
- First and last name on introduction; first name thereafter
- Active voice, present tense
- Job titles capitalized only before names
- Abbreviations explained before use
- Numbers 1-9 spelled out; 10+ as figures
- Single space after periods
- Spaces around em dashes
- US/USA without periods
- No commas before LLC, Corp., etc.
- Minimal formatting (italics/bold only where needed)
For additional guidance, consult the AP Stylebook at apstylebook.com
Updated: December 2024