Writing for the yearbook is a mix of storytelling, journalism, and design. To help your team stay on the same page (literally), here’s a quick and easy overview of the most important writing rules based on the Associated Press Style Guide...you can find their most recent version HERE.

NAMES AND TITLES

• Use first and last names the first time you mention someone. After that, just use the last name. For adults, use Mr., Mrs. or Ms. with the last name. Never use a single initial.
• The first time a name appears in a story, identify the person with their proper title. They aren't capitalized unless they replace Mr., Mrs. or Ms. For example, "Mr. Chad Friesen, chief executive officer" or "Student Body President Brett Falk".
• Capitalize formal titles before a name (e.g., Principal Smith), but not after (e.g., Jane Smith, principal).
  
  

CAPITALIZATION

Capitalize the following:

• Proper nouns (names of people, places, school teams, etc.).
• Short titles when they precede the names of adults (e.g. "Principal Chris Dueck").
• Subject names if they are languages (English, French, Spanish) or specific course titles (Algebra II, Journalism III).
• Main words in the titles of movies, books, songs, etc., including "A", "An", or "The" when they first appear in the title (e.g. The Handmaid's Tale).

Don't capitalize the following:

• Generic words like "school" (unless in the name e.g. Lincoln School), "team", "grade", or "teacher".
• Abbreviations for the time…a.m. or p.m.
• Seasons of the year…summer, fall, spring, winter.
• Personal titles used without the name…"The principal spoke at the assembly."
• School subjects that aren't languages…algebra, journalism, and language arts.
  
  

ABBREVIATIONS

• Spell out most abbreviations on first use, then use the short form after (e.g., Student Council Association (SCA), then SCA).
• Avoid using acronyms that aren’t widely known.
• No spaces or periods in abbreviations like GPA or NHS.
• Use the abbreviations Ave., Blvd., or St. only with a numbered address…123 Main St. Spell them out in full without a number…Main Street.
• Don't use signs or abbreviations for percent, distances, weights, or degrees.
  
  

DATES AND TIMES

• Dates are written one way…July 28. Never July 28th, 28 July, or the 28th of July.
• Don't use "o'clock" to show time. Omit zeros when possible…2:10 p.m., 3 p.m., noon.
• Abbreviate months with more than five letters when following a date…Jan., Feb., Sept. Never abbreviate March, April, May, June, or July…"The schedule in December is always crazy, but Winter Break starts Dec. 17."
• Use a.m. and p.m. with periods…7:30 a.m., not 7:30 AM. No need to use "in the morning" or "at night" if a.m. or p.m. is used.
  
  

NUMBERS

• Spell out numbers one through nine and use numerals for 10 and above.
• Use numerals for dimensions, money, degrees, scores, room numbers, chapter numbers, and street numbers.
• Always use numerals for ages, grades, percentages, and dates…She is 15 years old and in Grade 10.
  
  

PUNCTUATION

• Use a COMMA (,) in a list: We need cameras, notebooks, snacks, and batteries. Also used before a conjunction (like and, but, or) when joining two complete thoughts…The deadline is tomorrow, and we still need to finish three pages. Use a comma also to set off extra info: Albert, our lead photographer, is covering the football game.
• Use a SEMICOLON (;) to link two related sentences that can stand alone.
  Example: The team worked late; the deadline was approaching.
• Use a COLON (:) to introduce a list or explanation.
  Example: Bring the essentials: camera, notebook, and ID.
• Use an APOSTROPHE (') to show possession: Sarah's camera, the team's goal. For plural possessives, put the apostrophe after the "s": students' work.
• Use QUOTATION MARKS (" ") for direct quotes and song, book, movie, and game titles.
  Example 1: "We're proud of this year's team," said Alex.
  Example 2: She loves "The Hunger Games".
• Use a HYPHEN (-) to connect two words together as one idea before a noun. DON'T use a hyphen after adverbs ending in "-ly".
  Example: full-time student, well-known artist
  
  

PUNCTUATION IN TITLES OF CREATIVE WORKS

Use quotation marks for:

• Songs: "Bohemian Rhapsody"
• Books: "To Kill a Mockingbird"
• Movies: "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"
• Games: "Minecraft"

Don't italicize or underline, just use quotation marks.

FREQUENTLY MISSPELLED WORDS


School & Academic Terms

• Principal (not principle when referring to the head of school)

• Attendance (not attendence)

• Curriculum (not curriculem or curriculam)

• Achievement (not acheivement)

• Committee (not commitee)

• Schedule (not schedual)

• Library (not libary)

• Semester (not semister)

• Extracurricular (not extra-curricular or extracuricular)
  
  
  Commonly Used in Captions & Articles

• Definitely (not definately)

• Embarrass (not embarass)

• Surprise (not suprise)

• Separate (not seperate)

• Occurred (not occured or occureded)

• Successful (not succesful)

• Recommend (not reccomend)

• Environment (not enviroment)

• Friendship (not freindship)
  
  
  Event & Activity Words

• Athletics (not athletix or athletcs)

• Rehearsal (not rehersal)

• Performance (not performence)

• Photography (not fotography)

• Participation (not particpation)
  
  
  Descriptive Words

• Beautiful (not beautifull)

• Weird (not wierd)

• Awesome (not awsome)