AP Stylebook’s 2019 edition includes guidance on “suicide,” “deepfakes,” bitcoin” and more
The resource isn’t just for journalists: Communicators of all stripes should refer to the style guide to sharpen their writing. Here are several new and edited entries.

It’s time for spring cleaning, but you can spruce up your writing, as well as your office, with updated AP style rules.
On Wednesday, AP Stylebook launched its 2019 edition:
The 2019 AP Stylebook went on sale today.
Customers who participate in our automated annual delivery program get their Stylebooks first. Here are the boxes as they were getting ready to leave our warehouse Friday.
To get your book early next year: https://t.co/Dcjo6KZSxh pic.twitter.com/l56iokD4dX— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Following its launch, AP Stylebook editor Paula Froke shared several revisions and new entries in the resource publication’s Twitter chat, #APStyleChat.
Here are several you should know:
Science, health and environmental studies
Along with a sports betting section, the new edition has a new health and science chapter, which gives guidelines on selecting stories, citing expert sources, using scientific journals and reporting the type of scientific study conducted. These guidelines can help when writing about environmental issues as well.
Here are a few tips from the chapter:
Among the tips: Beware of “breakthroughs” because few things truly are. Exaggeration makes readers and viewers distrust the media and science. #APStyleChat (2/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Keep in mind that scientists are not infallible. They are human, with their own biases, and can make mistakes even when they’re very careful. #APStyleChat (3/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
The entry notes that how a study was done helps determine how reliable its results are. And we go into detail on things to consider about some common study designs. #APStyleChat (4/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Among the most critical parts of reporting a story that involves health, science or the environment is getting comments from outside experts who know the subject well. #APStyleChat (5/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Reporting details from suicides
AP Stylebook already had an entry on “suicide,” but added additional guidance:
We’ve expanded our entry on suicide. Our existing guidance noted that AP generally doesn’t write about suicides, unless the person is well known or the circumstances are particularly unusual or publicly disruptive. Now we’ve added more detail. #APStyleChat (1/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
The expanded entry includes guidance from suicide prevention experts, such as including the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline and leaving out details of the suicide.
This guidance follows efforts by suicide prevention organizations to stop the reporting of celebrities’ suicide details, including the deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade. In June 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that suicide rates have risen nearly 30% since 1999. More than half (54%) of the 45,000 deaths by suicide in the United States in 2016 were people not known to have mental health issues.
We say: Suicide prevention experts believe that the less said in the media about the methods of suicide, the less likelihood that a death will prompt at-risk people from taking their lives by that same method in the days immediately after. #APStyleChat (2/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
If police or family members announce publicly the method of a suicide, it is acceptable to describe the method. But do not specify the method in the headline or lead, and do not go into specific details, such the type of gun used. #APStyleChat (3/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Often, it may not be necessary to say anything other than that the person died by suicide. #APStyleChat (4/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Notes or letters are another area for caution. Generally avoid reporting the contents. Some experts recommend including in stories the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255. #APStyleChat (5/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
You should still avoid writing “committed suicide.” Here are several alternatives:
And we continue to say: Avoid using the phrase committed suicide. Alternate phrases include killed himself, took her own life or died by suicide. The verb commit with suicide can imply a criminal act. #APStyleChat (6/6)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Race-related coverage
During the 2019 ACES conference, a national gathering of editors, AP Stylebook announced entries on “race-related coverage,” which include not using the terms “racially charged,” “racially motivated” or “racially tinged” as replacements for “racist” or “racism.”
Froke tweeted several excerpts from the entries, which include:
Reporting and writing about issues involving race calls for thoughtful consideration, precise language, and an openness to discussions with others of diverse backgrounds about how to frame coverage or what language is most appropriate, accurate and fair. #APStyleChat (2/4)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Avoid broad generalizations and labels; race and ethnicity are one part of a person’s identity. #APStyleChat (3/4)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Identifying people by race and reporting on actions that have to do with race often go beyond simple style questions, challenging journalists to think broadly about racial issues before having to make decisions on specific situations and stories. #APStyleChat (4/4)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Deciding whether a specific statement, action, policy, etc., should be termed racist often is not clear-cut. Such decisions should include discussion with colleagues and/or others from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. #APStyleChat (2/8)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Begin by assessing the facts: Does the statement or action meet the definition of racism? That assessment need not involve examining the motivation of the person who spoke or acted, which is a separate issue. #APStyleChat (3/8)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
In general, avoid using racist or any other label as a noun for a person; it’s far harder to match the complexity of a person to a definition or label than it is a statement or action. Instead, be specific in describing the person’s words or actions. #APStyleChat (4/8)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Removing hyphens
Addressing race-related coverage, AP style no longer requires a hyphen in the term “African American.”
Several other terms have lost hyphens, including “bestseller,” “passerby,” and “babysit”:
We’ve changed our style to delete the hyphen from babysit, babysitting, babysat, babysitter. Also, no more hyphen in bestseller and bestselling. #APStyleChat
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
AP Stylebook has also removed the hyphen in double-e combinations using “pre-“ and “re-“, including “reelection” and “preempt.” However, words such as “de-emphasize” and “de-escalate” still requite hyphens.
New technology terms
In its latest edition, AP Stylebook added entries for several technological advancements.
The terms “e-cigarette” and “vaping device” are included, but when referring to electronic smoking technology, “vape device” is incorrect:
The term e-cigarette is acceptable on second reference for an electronic cigarette, a battery-operated device that typically heats a flavored nicotine solution into a vapor, which is inhaled. Do not use e-cig. Also: vaping device, not vape device. #APStyleChat (1/2)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Both “Deepfake” and “deepfake video,” are now accepted terms used to describe the digital content created by artificial intelligence that superimposes and manipulates people’s images and videos. This process can be used to create fake news, hoaxes and fake pornographic videos.
Explain what the terms mean when you first introduce them:
A new entry says deepfake is a noun or adjective referring to a manipulated video or other digital representation produced by sophisticated machine-learning techniques that yield seemingly realistic, but fabricated, images and sounds. #APStyleChat (1/2)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Deepfake video can, for instance, make it appear that people said or did something that they did not. Deepfake or deepfake video is acceptable, but it must be explained on first reference. #APStyleChat (2/2)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
“Cryptocurrency” now has an entry, along with “Bitcoin” and “Ethereum,” two types of cryptocurrencies:
We have a new entry on cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin and Ethereum. It contains explanations as well as style points. #APStyleChat (1/2)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
The “cryptocurrency” entry reads, in part:
Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies don’t have a country backing them, a central bank, interest rates, or a long history of exchange rates against other currencies. That makes it extremely difficult to assess their value.
… Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies do not exist as physical bills or coins. Rather, they exist as lines of computer code that are digitally signed each time they travel from one owner to the next. Cryptocurrencies are typically stored in virtual wallets, including online services that resemble bank accounts.
The entries include style guidelines on when to capitalize the terms:
Capitalize when referring to Bitcoin and other currencies as a system, but lowercase when referring to their use as payment: The government wants to regulate Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. He bought a vacuum cleaner online using bitcoins. #APStyleChat (2/2)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
When writing about cryptocurrency, you might also use the term “blockchain,” which is the ledger of cybercurrency transactions. The AP Stylebook entry reads, in part:
… It works like a chain of digital “blocks” that contain records of transactions. Each such block is connected to those before and behind it, making it difficult to tamper with because a hacker would need to change the block containing that record and all those linked to it to avoid detection.
Blockchains are kept in “peer-to-peer” networks that are continually updated and kept in synchronization. It would require huge amounts of computing power to access every instance of a certain blockchain and alter all its blocks at the same time. A network of tech-savvy users known as miners pour their computing power into maintaining the blockchain and verifying its transactions, ensuring that someone cannot spend the same coin again after paying for something with it.
Quotations with grammatical and spelling errors
When quoting someone who has incorrectly spelled a term or used incorrect grammar, do not add “(sic)” after the error(s). Instead, quote the person as originally stated or written. AP Stylebook suggests paraphrasing instead of using a quotation, when possible.
We advise against adding (sic) to indicate incorrect spelling or grammar used by someone being quoted. Many readers have no idea what (sic) means. #APStyleChat (1/3)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Often, readers are better served if you simply paraphrase in a clearer and more direct way. That’s always the case, regardless of whether the quote in question contains an error. #APStyleChat (2/3)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
If the direct quote is essential, simply use it as spoken or written, without adding (sic). When quoting written words, retain the style used by the writer; do not alter the written words even if they don’t match AP style. #APStyleChat (3/3)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
A media researcher pointed out that using “(sic)” can also seem ostentatious:
Even if you do know what sic means, it usually comes off as pretentious rather than helpful. #APStyleChat
— Dylan McLemore (@voiceofD) May 29, 2019
Percentages and numbers
In April, AP Stylebook caused a stir on Twitter when it announced that you should now use the “%” sign, instead of writing out “percent”:
Use the % sign when paired with a numeral, with no space, in most cases: Average hourly pay rose 3.1% from a year ago. For amounts less than 1%, precede the decimal with a zero: The cost of living rose 0.6%. #APStyleChat (1/7)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
However, you should still spell out both the number and “percent” when it’s a casual reference:
In casual uses, use words rather than figures and numbers: She said he has a zero percent chance of winning. #APStyleChat (2/7)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Here’s additional guidance:
At the start of a sentence: Try to avoid this construction. If it's necessary to start a sentence with a percentage, spell out both: Eighty-nine percent of sentences don't have to begin with a number. #APStyleChat (3/7)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Constructions with the % sign take a singular verb when standing alone or when a singular word follows an of construction: He said 50% of the membership was there. #APStyleChat (4/7)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
It takes a plural verb when a plural word follows an of construction: He said 50% of the members were there. #APStyleChat (5/7)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Use percentage, rather than percent, when not paired with a number: The percentage of people agreeing is small. #APStyleChat (6/7)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
Be careful not to confuse percent with percentage point. A change from 10% to 13% is a rise of 3 percentage points. This is not equal to a 3% change; rather, it’s a 30% increase. #APStyleChat (7/7)
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) May 29, 2019
You can purchase the AP Stylebook 2019 edition here.