1. Associated Press style Not just a set of rules

2. What’s style, and why’s it so damn important to journalists?

4. Just information

6. Clarity

7. Accuracy

9. So let’s look at some specifics of style {At the university, we call this a test}

10. Style changes Use figures for all ages, including those of animals and inanimate objects. Old way: A three-year-old bridge, a 10-year-old car, the law is eight years old New way: A 3-year-old bridge, a 10-year-old car, a 2-year-old dog, the law is 8 years old Gambling is preferred term for playing games of chance. Avoid use of the term gaming except in quotations or proper names. Sexual orientation: Gay preferred. Lesbian is OK for gay women. Use homosexual in clinical contexts or references to sexual activity. Mention sexual orientation only when relevant to the story. Avoid "sexual preference" or gay or alternative "lifestyle."

12. 904-386-2610, ext. 14

13. 800-328-7448 U.S. and U.N. how OK as nouns or adjectives. Periods are not needed in US and UN in headlines.

14. A great way to review AP style: www.newsroom101.com

15. And don’t forget to check out the Fake AP Stylebook on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/fakeapstylebook