Mastering the Concrete Jungle's Name: Your AP Style Glow-Up
Hold the phone, buttercup! You’ve been tasked with writing about the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of—you know, New York City. And now your editor, who is probably way too intense about semicolons, has dropped the dreaded phrase: "AP Style."
Deep breaths. This ain't no math test, it's just a style guide. But let's be real, getting the name of the world's most famous city wrong is like showing up to a Yankees game wearing a Red Sox jersey. It's an epic fail.
Don't sweat it, though! We're gonna break this down so simple, so easy, you'll be dropping AP-compliant city names like a Wall Street broker drops zeroes on a check. Let's get this bread!
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| How To Write New York City In Ap Style |
Step 1: The 'First Date' Rule: Spell it Out, Player
This is the most crucial step, the golden rule for dating, I mean, for writing about New York City. Think of the first time you mention the city as the first date. You gotta be formal, respectful, and crystal clear about who you’re talking to.
1.1 First Reference: Go Big or Go Home
When you first introduce this magnificent metropolis in your article, headline, or epic Twitter thread, you gotta give it the full name. No shortcuts, no nicknames, no messing around.
The Vibe Check: You need to write New York City.
Crucial Detail: Notice the capitalization? New York City. Every major word starts with a capital letter. Why? Because it's a proper noun, and it's the center of the universe. The AP Stylebook is super chill about this. Don't call it 'new york city,' or you'll get side-eye from everyone who's ever corrected a press release.
Pro Tip: If you're talking about the whole state first, like maybe a headline about a farming crisis, you'd just write New York (State). But when you're talking about Broadway, Times Square, or that $15 slice of pizza, you're talking New York City.
Example: The new hot dog stand opened in New York City last Tuesday, drawing a huge crowd.
Step 2: The 'Second Date' Rule: Now We’re Getting Cozy
After that initial, formal introduction, you can start to relax. You've established you're talking about the five boroughs and not, like, some upstate town where folks think 'subway' is a sandwich shop. Now you can use the shorthand that everyone knows and loves.
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
2.1 Subsequent References: Keep it Punchy
Once you've dropped the full name, the AP Stylebook is all about efficiency—saving those precious characters!
The Move: After the first reference, you can almost always just use New York.
Why? Because in most contexts, saying "New York" is universally understood to mean the city, not the state, especially if your article is clearly city-focused (like, "New York’s mayor announced a new policy..." or "The latest fashion trend started in New York...").
It's like using 'T-Swift' instead of 'Taylor Swift'—you know who I mean, right?
You can also sometimes use the city, especially if your article only discusses NYC and you want to avoid sounding repetitive.
Example: The new hot dog stand opened in New York City last Tuesday. New York is buzzing about their secret sauce.
Step 3: The 'State of Confusion' Rule: The Great Abbreviation Debate
This is where most writers totally wipe out. When do you add the state abbreviation, and what is the AP-approved state abbreviation for New York? Prepare to have your mind blown.
3.1 The NYC Exemption: No Need to Overdo It
When you are referring to New York City, you almost never, ever, ever need to follow it up with the state abbreviation (N.Y.).
Why AP Says 'Chill Out': NYC is one of those global, recognizable cities (like London or Paris) that stands alone. Adding the state is redundant and clunky. It interrupts the flow, man! Your editor will think you've been sleeping on the job.
When You Might See It (Rarely!): You would only pair a city name with the state abbreviation (N.Y.) if you were talking about another city in the state, like Buffalo, Albany, or Rochester.
The concert is set for Buffalo, N.Y., next week.
But for the Big Apple? Nah. You're good.
3.2 The Actual Abbreviation: Periods Are Your Pal
Okay, but what if you are talking about a smaller city in New York State? You need the official AP Style state abbreviation. Don't be using the postal code abbreviation (NY without periods, which is for mailing addresses only—a total rookie move!).
The Correct AP Abbreviation: It's N.Y.
That's right, a capital 'N' followed by a period, a capital 'Y' followed by a period.
Remember this: AP Style uses abbreviations for states when paired with a city (and only 8 states are spelled out—but New York ain't one of them!).
The Final Boss Level Check:
First mention in the article: New York City
Any mention after that: New York (or the city)
Do I ever write 'New York City, N.Y.'? Heck to the no.
Tip: Break long posts into short reading sessions.
Step 4: Title Town Tussle: Headlines and Bylines
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Headlines are tight, and space is a premium. You can't be wasting characters! But AP Style also loves clarity, so this step requires a delicate balance—like walking a tightrope between skyscrapers!
4.1 Headline and Caption Clarity: Condense the Chaos
In headlines or photo captions, you often get a little wiggle room to make things shorter, but you still gotta make sense.
If your headline is already tight, you can often get away with just New York right out of the gate, assuming the story is clearly about the city.
Example: New York Mayor Announces Plan
If you need to be super specific because, for example, your article is about the state legislature meeting in the city, you might stick with the full New York City for that all-important initial reference.
The Key: When in doubt, go with the full name. It's better to be a little too formal than to be totally wrong.
4.2 Bylines and Datelines: Where the State Is Required
The one place where the state abbreviation (N.Y.) is practically mandatory is in a dateline—that little bit of info at the beginning of a news story that tells you where the reporter filed the piece from.
Dateline Format: NEW YORK (or sometimes NEW YORK CITY), N.Y. (The Associated Press often uses all caps for the city name in datelines, but for the actual story text, stick to New York City!)
If you're not writing a dateline, you can just forget you ever read this part. Focus on the body of your text!
You are now officially an AP Style wizard. Go forth and write about the amazing, chaotic, and totally unforgettable New York City! drop.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How do I write the full name of the city in AP Style?
You write it as New York City on the first reference in a story. Capitalize all three words.
Tip: Break down complex paragraphs step by step.
How do I write the city name after the first time I mention it?
After the initial mention, you can almost always refer to it simply as New York or the city, unless context dictates otherwise.
Should I ever use the abbreviation 'NYC' in my writing?
No. Avoid 'NYC' in formal AP Style writing. It's too informal. Only use 'New York City' or 'New York.'
What is the AP Style abbreviation for New York state?
The correct AP Style abbreviation is N.Y. (with both periods).
Should I write 'New York City, N.Y.' in a sentence?
Hard no. AP Style considers adding the state abbreviation 'N.Y.' to 'New York City' to be redundant. Only use New York City.
How do I write a dateline for a story filed from the city?
QuickTip: Pay attention to first and last sentences.
The standard AP dateline is often NEW YORK (AP) or NEW YORK (AP) — or NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) — at the start of the story.
Does AP Style require me to spell out the five boroughs?
AP Style does not require it, but if you mention them, always capitalize the names: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
Is 'Big Apple' acceptable in AP Style?
Yes. 'Big Apple' is an acceptable nickname, but it should be capitalized: The Big Apple. Use it sparingly, though.
How do I know when to use 'New York' vs. 'New York City'?
Use New York City for the very first mention. Use New York for all subsequent mentions in the body of the text.
How do I write about the subway system in AP Style?
Refer to the system as the subway (lowercase). Capitalize the specific lines, like the No. 7 line or the A train.
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