Names

Names are the Most Important



When writing a story, the most important thing always is getting the name correct for the person you are interviewing. As you come across the first person, you need to give the interviewees first and last name. However, as you progress in writing your story, you will refer back to them only by their last name only. In addition, a writer can not use Mrs., Ms., or Mr. unless there is more than one person in the story with the same last name. Names are key to writing a story because your readers will get displeased if they read about someone they have never heard of.





Stephen Proler- Writer

Parentheses

When finishing a sentence with a phrase in parentheses, put the period outside the closing parentheses.
i.e. They lost the battle (but won the war).

If the phrase or clause in parentheses expresses a separate thought, place the period inside the parentheses.
i.e They lost the battle. (Luckily, they won the war.)

Use parentheses to insert a state name or similar information within a proper name.
i.e He is a reporter for the Houston (Tx.) Chronicle.

Do not use parentheses to set off a political designation. Use commas instead.
i.e Barack Obama, D-Il, announced his run for president.

Nicolas Aldape
Writer, Three Penny Press

Ages

For ages, always use figures. If the age is used as an adjective or as a substitute for a noun, then it should be hyphenated. Don’t use apostrophes when describing an age range. 

Example: She 21 years old.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/

Manlin Yao, Staff Editor

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Some widely known abbreviations are required in certain situations, while others are acceptable but not required in some contexts. For example, Dr., Gov., Lt. Gov., Mr., Mrs., Rep., the Rev. and Sen. are required before a person’s full name when they occur outside a direct quotation. Other acronyms and abbreviations are acceptable but not required (i.e. FBI, CIA, GOP). The context should govern such decisions.

Example: Lt. Johnson was a dangerous man. 

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/

Nathan Hiransomboon
Editor, Three Penny Press

How to write out the time

When you need to write out the time of an event in your story, use figures, but spell out noon and midnight for events that happen at 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. Separate the hours and minutes with a colon, except when it is an exact hour (:00). Clarify the time by adding (space)a.m. or p.m. after the figure.
Example: 1 p.m., 3:30 a.m.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/

Laurence Zhang, Staff writer

Should commas go inside quotations marks?

Yes- Commas go inside quotations marks.
Example: "I did nothing wrong," he said.
http://quizlet.com/2046964/ap-style-quiz-flash-cards/
Jackie Wertheimer, Three Penny Press Writer

Do you capitalize PRINCIPAL?

You do not capitalize principal unless it is the first word of the sentence.
Example: Principal Smith taught English for two years.
Example: I introduced myself to principal Johnson on Monday.

 http://communications.med.nyu.edu/advertising-branding/editorial-style-guide/spelling-and-usage-common-problematic-words
http://www.umc.pitt.edu/styleguide/c.html

Sophie Daily
Writer, Three Penny Press

When do you abbreviate a month?

Spell out the month unless it is used with a date. When used with a date, abbreviate only the following months: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.

School ended in May, and it started again on Aug. 27.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/

Laure Cundiff
Writer, Three Penny Press

Use middle initials to help identify a specific individual.
Micheal C. Mantle was accused of killing his wife.
The Associated Press Stylebook
Johnnie Sinclair
Writer, Three Penny Press

You spell out numbers under ten.
She has three jobs, but she still manages to get 12 hours of sleep every night.
http://quizlet.com/2046964/ap-style-quiz-flash-cards/
Leslie Cundiff
Writer, Three Penny Press