Here’s a take: How you write is just as important as what you write. Let’s be honest, if your reading is too grammatically butchered to comprehend- your reader is long gone.

AP style is a beast of its own. That’s the style used in journalism. While its features are not always used for easier comprehension, using AP style shows a level of education and care put into the craft. It builds your credibility.

So, here’s a list of some super important AP style features, some of my personal favorites and some pet peeves:

Active vs. Passive Voice

Always use active voice. That’s when the subject is performing the action. In passive voice, the action is being done to the subject. It’s clunky. It’s confusing. Don’t do it.

Adjectives and Adverbs

Generally, descriptive words shouldn’t be used in AP style. It could lead to issues with objectivity and it’s typically unnecessary. Plus, if you pick a descriptive verb, you shouldn’t need the adverb. 

Qualifiers

Be confident in what you write. Adding phrases like a little, kind of or very make your writing wordier and weaker. I did have an issue with adding these to more personal writing. (See some of my old blogs for reference) Ever since one of my classmates called me out on it, I’m more aware, and my writing is better because of it.

Formatting Quotes

In my time editing other’s work, I’ve seen all sorts of punctuation when it comes to quotations. Your punctuation always goes inside the quotation marks. 

When your source interrupts your quote, add a comma to the end of the first half of the quote, then a period after the source. Continue the rest of the quote after the period.

AP Style
… the exam,” Smith said. “We won’t…

Also, your source always comes before the verb.

The Oxford Comma

This is where AP style loses me. The oxford comma is the comma you put before the conjunction, like and, in a list. AP style doesn’t use it. I was always an oxford comma fan, and while I’ve trained myself to not use it, I still love her. I’m a big fan of consistency, so I’d like all list items to have some form of punctuation after them. I think it also can help the reader to understand that the list continues.

There’s a plethora of more rules you can find in the AP stylebook. I keep mine on my desk at all times, and still consult it pretty frequently. It’s a great reference.

This post was written by me as a comparison of human writing and a blog post generated by AI. Below you can find the AI version of a blog on this topic.

This copy and headline below were generated by Microsoft 365 Copilot using the prompt: “Write a 300-500 word blog about AP Style. Focus on Active vs. Passive Voice, Adjectives and adverbs, qualifier phrases (like “a little” or “very”), quote formatting and the oxford comma.”

Mastering AP Style: Key Rules Every Writer Should Know

Whether you’re drafting a news article, writing for a brand, or polishing a press release, AP Style remains the gold standard for clear, concise, journalistic communication. While the full AP Stylebook covers thousands of rules, several foundational principles can immediately elevate your writing. Here are five essential areas to master: active vs. passive voice, adjectives and adverbs, qualifier phrases, quote formatting, and—everyone’s favorite debate—the Oxford comma.

Active vs. Passive Voice

AP Style favors active voice because it’s direct, energetic, and easy to understand.

• Active: “The committee approved the proposal.”
• Passive: “The proposal was approved by the committee.”

Active voice leaves less room for ambiguity and keeps sentences efficient. Passive constructions can be useful—such as when the actor is unknown—but should be the exception, not the rule.

Adjectives and Adverbs

In AP Style, adjectives and adverbs should be used sparingly. Over-modifying nouns and verbs weakens writing rather than strengthening it. For example:

• Overwritten: “The extremely talented, remarkably dedicated team achieved a very impressive win.”
• Stronger: “The team won decisively.”

Let concrete details and strong verbs carry the weight.

Qualifier Phrases

Phrases like “a little,” “very,” “quite,” and “really” tend to add fluff without adding clarity. AP Style encourages trimming these unnecessary qualifiers unless they offer meaningful nuance. Instead of saying something is “very important,” explain why it matters.

Quote Formatting

AP Style uses a clean, consistent format for quotations:

• Use double quotation marks for direct quotes.
• Place punctuation inside the quotation marks:
  • Correct: “We’re ready to begin,” she said.
  • Incorrect: “We’re ready to begin”, she said.
• Use attribution verbs like said or stated—neutral, unobtrusive choices that keep the focus on the speaker.

Quotes should be word-for-word accurate and introduced or followed by clear attribution.

The Oxford Comma

AP Style famously does not use the Oxford comma—except when its absence would create confusion.

• Standard AP Style: “The flag is red, white and blue.”
• Use Oxford for clarity: “I’d like to thank my parents, Beyoncé, and God.”

Context determines whether it stays or goes.

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Mastering these AP Style fundamentals helps you write with precision and professionalism. Whether you’re crafting headlines or long-form content, these guidelines ensure your message is polished, consistent, and unmistakably clear.