When it comes to news writing, two major style guides dominate the industry:
AP Style (Associated Press Style) in the United States
CP Style (Canadian Press Style) in Canada
Both AP and CP styles serve as essential guides for journalists, ensuring clarity and consistency in news writing. Understanding their distinctions allows writers to effectively tailor their content to their audience, whether in the U.S. or Canada.
AP Style (Associated Press Style)
Purpose
AP Style is primarily used by journalists and media outlets in the United States for news writing and reporting.
Focus
The AP Stylebook prioritizes clear, concise, and objective writing, ensuring accuracy and readability in journalistic content.
Key Features
Uses American spellings (e.g., "color" instead of "colour").
Follows specific rules for capitalization, punctuation, and abbreviations.
Emphasizes person-first language in certain contexts.
Avoids academic citations.
CP Style (Canadian Press Style)
Purpose
CP Style is the primary style guide for journalists, public relations professionals, and marketers in Canada. It is widely used across news organizations and corporate communications.
Focus
It emphasizes clear, concise, and accessible writing while incorporating Canadian cultural nuances and language standards.
Key Features
Uses Canadian spellings (e.g., "colour" instead of "color").
Has distinct rules for capitalization, punctuation, and abbreviations that often differ from AP style.
Encourages short, direct sentences with one or two clauses.
Avoids academic citations.
Key Differences Between AP and CP Style
