AP Stylebook tweets you right May 31, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism.Tags: AP Stylebook, Associated Press, Twitter
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My life just got a little more complete.
I previously vowed on this blog that I would not become a Twitter fiend, yet I find myself strangely addicted to the social networking site. Yet, thanks to a few certain Tweeters (such as LarryMendte, Captn_Morgan and AlexsLemonade), I’ve embraced this ridiculous Web service.
But now, the ultimate product joined Twitter — the AP Stylebook.
The AP Stylebook is the fundamental product any aspiring journalist should worship, regardless of the type of journalism (even broadcasters). Marketing manager Colleen Newvine tweets to followers who ask AP style questions. I think this might be my dream job (next to host of Wheel of Fortune, of course).
I encourage everyone to follow APStylebook and learn a thing or two. And while you’re at it, follow me, too.
Thank gosh she’s not VP… November 22, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.Tags: Alaska, Associated Press, Sarah Palin
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…so she can do all these interviews!
I never wrote much about Sarah Palin this election cycle (save the Tina Fey postings). But maybe not winning the vice presidency was the best thing to happen to her.
According to this article from the AP, Palin has numerous offers — interviews, book deals, even hosting a TV show — from multiple companies. Must be nice.
Now, the Alaska governor isn’t allowed to have employment with compensation outside of the governor’s office, so is all this stuff considered employment?
God, I hope not.
One, I’d love to see her on Letterman. I think that would be excellent for all parties involved. Second, Elizabeth Hasselbeck needs some help on The View, and she’d make an excellent addition. And I’d love to read the propaganda that would be her autobiography (in my opinion, to be released a year and a half prior to her 2012 presidential bid).
But there are two sides to the story here. The second thing I considered when reading this article is the Anchorage reporter for the Associated Press. My gosh, this person must be living on cloud nine by now.
At first, what happened in Alaska? And now, they have a pseudo-celebrity garnering international attention living in a state of 500,000! And this reporter, who once covered snowfall (I made that up), now gets to cover it all.
Maybe Alaska isn’t all that far-fetched for that first job…
Britney’s comeback after her last comeback? August 15, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.Tags: Associated Press, Britney Spears, Journalism
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Last year’s MTV VMAs was supposed to be Britney Spears’ big comeback. It wasn’t.
But apparently, she may be getting another chance, according to the Associated Press.
However, the AP might have been a little editorial in its lead…
After delivering one of the worst performances in the history
of the MTV Video Music Awards, Britney Spears has a chance to be crowned this year as the absolute best.
Granted, the performance couldn’t be defined as “excellent,” “good” or “FDA-approved,” but unless MTV has announced it as the “worst performance,” it’s not.
However, I’ve also learned in my journalism experience that usin
g the term “one of” is a godsend.
Therefore, I must be one of the best bloggers in the world, no?
The article does mention a few of her “rebounds” in recent months, however, including guest stints on How I Met Your Mother and promos for this year’s VMAs — as pictured above. She already looks like the old Britney, doesn’t she?
Let’s hope she won’t do it again…
Buy the AP an AP Stylebook July 10, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism.Tags: Associated Press, Journalism
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OK, so I’m sure it happens frequently, for we’re all human and everyone makes mistakes.
However, based on my experience as a copy editor, this mistake, for me, is one of the most unforgiveable under the Associated Press Stylebook. We all know how I love Wikipedia. In fact, Wikipedia is itself a new entry in the most recent stylebook.
The Associated Press lauds itself on its consistency, hence the need for such a book. One of my favorite books, actually. It just beats out Where’s Waldo? Only by a hair, though.
In an article by the AP about the inclusion of jalapeno peppers and cilantro to the tomato salmonella warning (which, by the way, I’m not happy about — no more salsa for me), this casual mistake occurs:
Tauxe said that makes the toll of the current salmonella outbreak far surpass recent large outbreaks of any foodborne disease: salmonella linked to peanut butter in 2006 and hepatitis A from green onions in 2003. It’s not quite as big as when cyclospora-tainted raspberries sickened well over 1,000 people in the mid-1990s.
As I’d stressed to The Temple News staff last year, this was one of the most common and most disturbing mistakes copy editors found in copy. I nearly cried every time I saw it.
OVER means physically above. The cow jumped OVER the moon. When discussing quantities, the term MORE THAN should be used. There are more than 100 people interested in the position.
Seems trivial. But it’s not. Let’s start incorporating this in our speech in addition to writing.
And by the way, same rule applies for UNDER and LESS THAN. In case you were wondering.
