Mar 16, 2017 the oxford comma is used before the words and or or in a list of three or more things. The oxford comma camp, the other camp, and the sane. Jul 31, 2019 some believe that the oxford comma is a pretentious addon used to make grammar nerds feel superior. And this year a single oxford comma was even the subject of a court fight with millions of dollars at stake. This is because traditionally, printed newspapers had space concerns when it came to adding text to a layout. Its turning 60, and in honor of the occasion its approximately 500 pages of copy guidelines has had a. Perhaps no mark of punctuation ruffles feathers more than the serial comma also called series comma, oxford comma, and harvard comma. For newspapers, you simply write the name of the publication no quotation marks or italics, e. Ap style is to not include a comma before the conjunction in a simple series like the flag is red, white and blue. This week we address the serial comma, seventh in the list of the top 10 most common apa style errors as identified by onwuegbuzie, combs, slate, and frels 2010. It covers much more than the ap stylebook, which generally covers only common words and their usage.
Here are a few clarifications from textbroker for where we stand on these issues. Dec 20, 2018 questions about the oxford comma are the most common. Associated press style guide ap style the serial commaoxford commas. Serial commas and serial semicolons the mla style center. If you prefer a nonbranded term, then serial comma ascribes the same comma usage to no one in particular. The oxford or serial comma is the final comma in a list of things. Jun 23, 2014 ap style should adopt the oxford comma. Rule 1to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. In september 2017, chicago issued its seventeenth edition. However, chicago style or the chicago manual of style, which is commonly used by book publishers, academics and trade publications does require an oxford comma. While ap style is largely sound, there are a few rules that are quite subjective. Omission of the serial comma is common in journalism and is prescribed by the associated press stylebook, though even the ap stylebook. With the exception of newspapers, most publications use the.
Some think it is a good idea to decide on a case by case basis, but. Thus, only numbers one through ten are written out numerals are used for higher numbers, state names use the postal code, and the oxford or serial comma is nowhere to. For apa style, place quotation marks around journal articles, song. Either ap style must change to meet the needs of language, or newspapers should exercise leniency with its use in the name of communication. Ap style, the oxford comma, and communication the daily campus. I would like a coffee with sugar, creamer and whipped topping. A serial comma simply means that a comma will separate each element in a series of three or more, even before the coordinating conjunctions and and before or. This is not a style change, but a clarification because the editors noted that some writers were confused. But news writing has traditionally omitted the serial comma perhaps seeking a more rapid feeling in the prose, or perhaps to save time and effort in the old days of manual typesetting.
The new ap style manual says to add the serial oxford comma to avoid confusion or ambiguity, whereas cmos 17 continues to recommend the serial oxford comma generally. The style guide that newspaper reporters use, ap style, doesnt require use of the oxford comma. However, the ap style rule is that you do not include that final comma unless its necessary. This case backs up that habit as more than just an oldschool tic i havent yet let go. I devote a chapter in my book the glamour of grammar to my preference for that final comma, and now believe that ap style should now include. This article explains some of the differences between ap or associated press style and the chicago manual of style. Although it is sold as a guide for reporters, it has become the leading reference.
At this time we have reason to believe the killings were gangrelated and carried out by adherents of both the ap and chicago styles, part of a. An oxford comma is the final comma used before an and at the end of a list and is used to avoid ambiguity. Jan 08, 20 for starters, associated press style is aimed at newspapers. That was settled in 1972 when millions of ap and upi staff fought on the very moon. How to use commas in associated press style pen and the pad. In contrast, the associated press stylebook advises against it. A comma is used to separate an introductory clause or phrase from the main clause. Before the party began, mary prepared all of the food, cleaned up the kitchen and chilled the wine. In ap style, omit the comma before the last item in a simple series, such as joe, john and steve. It is clear that the oxford comma is an important tool for this purpose. Many style guides advocate its use, particularly those.
The new stylebook emphasizes that clarity is the bottom line. Keep in mind, however, that newspapers are often pressed for space. Aug 08, 2019 this comma, also called the serial comma, is placed before and at the end of a list. As mignon fogarty explained in a grammar girl piece in 2011, the first style book to recommend using the serial comma came out in 1905 in england, and strunks first edition of the elements of. Apr 02, 20 in the current edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation and on the website, we have stated a preference for use of the serial, or oxford, comma. What they are and how to use them site title english grammar and use are the ap associated press and chicago manuals. Jun 23, 2015 style guides for book and academic publishing generally would insist on another comma after pears, the socalled serial comma or oxford comma. Also known as the oxford comma, the serial comma is the final comma in a list of three items or more, and it is used immediately before and, or, and occasionally nor. The first edition of the book was 203 pages, which has since evolved into a book that is more than 1,000 pages. In english language punctuation, a serial comma, or series comma also called an oxford comma or harvard comma, is a comma placed immediately after the penultimate term i. Spell out all numbers up to 10, then use numerals after that. What is the oxford comma and why is it so important. The style guide that journalists and newspapers adhere to does not require the oxford comma.
The family meal was soup, fish and chips, and ice cream. So the example i used above would read like this without the oxford comma. Note that while ap style uses abbreviations for months sept. It is also required by the chicago manual of style and mla style. Its founded on the idea that people must write briefly so as much information as possible can fit onto pages. Mar 26, 2018 the ap stylebook, first published in 1953, is the bible for journalists. In this post, youll learn about some crucial updates to chicago and see comparisons of its instructions with ap style. It always appears before the coordinating conjunction. Apr 30, 2019 the ap stylebook, the style bible of journalists and online writers, says not to use the oxford comma in a simple series unless its needed to prevent confusion. This comma precedes the final item in a list or series, before the word and or or. The ap stylebook, the style bible of journalists and online writers, says not to use the oxford comma in a simple series unless its needed to.
If the series includes internal commas that necessitate semicolons or uses a conjunction such as and, include the comma. Use of the oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others dont. For instance, ap would use the serial comma in this sentence. Chicago style recommends its use in almost all instances, while ap style leans somewhat against it. Many people get confused with the different citation styles. Dec 30, 2010 whether to use the serial comma is a style issue, which is why patti and her friends ended up in a debate. No newspaper is going to be shut down because they added an oxford. When he had tired of the mad pace of new york, he moved to.
Ap stylethe style guide that newspaper reporters adhere todoes not require. The following are simple examples that use serial commas. Oxford style requires the use of the comma to avoid confusion, hence the name oxford comma. Ap stylethe style guide that newspaper reporters adhere todoes not require the use of the oxford comma. Jun 15, 2017 serial commas and serial semicolons by erika suffern serial commas. New yorklaw enforcement officials confirmed friday that four more copy editors were killed this week amid ongoing violence between two rival gangs divided by their loyalties to the the associated press stylebook and the chicago manual of style. Do you know the big differences between ap, apa, chicago, and. The ap stylebook has a few simple rules for using quotation marks in ap style stories. Its name is always pretentious, and its purpose is always the same. Mar 01, 2016 the comma after creamer is the oxford comma. Instead, you place quotation marks around books, plays, poems, lectures, etc. It is important to note that the ap style guide is just that. Their stance is that, in general, the final comma before and, or, or nor is an antiquated, unnecessary waste of space and should be left out. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook.
Ive been reading that ap is saying now that you only use the serial comma when it affects the meaning of the sentence. As a diehard oxford comma loyalist, this ruling made my day. Jun 20, 2016 this friday, june 24, at 3pm est, we will host a live video debate on our facebook page. Ap style thats the associated press stylebook, which many journalists live by does not use an oxford comma. Oct 02, 2011 but in the other camp, the new york times, the economist, the ap stylebook, and virtually all of europe claim that the oxford comma is clunky and obsolete. The jumper is available in green, yellow, and black and white. Associated press style book ap, and the new york times do not support the oxford comma. While many of the sites i write for as a freelance blogger follow ap style including this one, which is sansserial comma, i still sneak one in when it seems needed to avoid potential confusion. Although the british are less likely to use serial commas than americans 1, 2, primarily its newspapers that allow writers to omit that final comma 1, 3. Oxford comma helps drivers win dispute about overtime pay. The oxford comma vs harvard comma vs serial comma the last comma in that sentence above is an oxford comma, also known as the serial comma or the harvard comma. The oxford comma is used more often in nonjournalistic prose.
For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as france, italy and spain without the serial comma or. The school offers courses titled arts and entertainment. In ap style, you never italicize or underline book, poem, or newspaper titles. Difference between ap stylebook and chicago manual of style. However, if the comma is necessary for clarity or if an integral part of the series includes a conjunction, it should be added. Although the normal style is to avoid the serial comma, use one if it is needed for clarity.
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