This document provides guidance on AP style for several terms: 1) Use "agent" instead of "Special Agent" except when using the formal title before a name or in special contexts like the FBI. 2) Capitalize "Capitol" when referring to the U.S. Capitol building or state capitol buildings. Use "capital" for money, equipment, or a city where a government is located. 3) Use "foul" for something offensive or out of line and "fowl" for birds used as food like chickens. 4) Spell out all state names when alone and abbreviate most state names in datelines or short lists, except for eight states that

1. AP Style Help Neil Morgan

2. agent Lowercase unless it is a formal title used before a name. In the FBI, the formal title is special agent. Use Special Agent William Smith if appropriate in a special context. Otherwise, make it agent William Smith or FBI agent William Smith.

3. Capital/Capitol Capital - The city where a seat of government is located. Do not capitalize. When used in a financial sense, capital describes money, equipment or property used in a business by a person or corporation. Capitol - Capitalize U.S. Capitol and the Capitol when referring to the building in Washington. Follow the same practice when referring to state Capitols.

4. Foul/Fowl Foul - Foul means offensive or out of line. Fowl - A fowl is a bird, especially the larger domestic birds used as food: chickens, ducks and turkeys.

5. State Names Spell out the names of the 50 U.S. states whenever they stand alone. There are eight names of states that never get abbreviated: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah. Abbreviate all other state names when: Used in conjunction with cities in datelines or text. When used in short-form listings of political affiliation.

6. Pope Capitalize when used as a formal title before a name; lowercase in all other references. Pope Paul spoke to the crowd. At the close of his address, the pope gave his blessing.