AP Stylebook

What exactly is AP Style?

I would define Associated Press Stylebook as an essential tool to be used by everyone who has a voice that needs to be heard. Everyone is capable of displaying written work to the public, but not everyone puts their work out in a way to be understood. AP Style is such a popular aspect of writing that it attracts those who rely on it as well. I believe your work is more prone to be acknowledged if it follows AP Style. It's an extended version of the dictionary. Anything you hope to find is instilled in the AP Stylebook.

Why is it important to follow AP Style?

I think before you can follow AP Style you have to become familiar with it. Once you become familiar with it, it will become a second nature to adapt to its style. Those who apply AP Style in their work appreciate others who do the same. http://alberscommunications.com/2010/09/ap-never-goes-out-of-style/ I think the saying “you are the company you keep,” fits AP Style perfectly. Those who follow AP Style attract others who do the same. Using AP Style is essential to all writers, publishers and those appreciate well written work.

How can knowing AP Style help you as a PR practitioner?

Knowing AP Style can help you as a PR practitioner majorly! Being familiar with the top 15 correct journalistic principles to writing is a great start. http://web.ku.edu/~edit/ap15.htm Knowing AP Style is impressive and contagious. Seeing one who incorporates AP Style in their work and receives positive feedback encourages one to adopt the methods of AP Style as well. Knowing AP Style and applying it to your work can go a very long way.

How does knowing AP Style make your news releases and fact sheets more relevant?

Knowing AP Style makes your news releases and fact sheet more relevant because the information presented in them will be in correct format. No one is interested in reading work that doesn’t have correct or up to date formats. PR professionals and employees are for sure to have adopted AP Style so when they note it in your work, they’ll definitely be impressed and tentative. All it takes is being familiar with the basics to get one off on the right foot with AP Style and making it relevant in all aspects of your work. http://lcctorch.messageforums.net/topic31-the-basics-of-associated-press-style.html

How would you react if you were given an AP Style quiz during an interview at an agency?

I wouldn’t be surprised one bit! The adopting of AP Style has become very popular! My only hope would be that I’ve retained all I needed to within such a rich text to do well on the quiz.

YouTube Videos

Watching YouTube videos of Whitewater Alum was very refreshing! To know there are so many indviduals who graduated with majors in public relations and are doing quite well brings such a feeling of comfort. I often feared when I graduate the hardest task for me would be to find a job. I've been completely reassured that as long as I do my part in college everything will be just fine. Everyone offered very substantial advice, but I think I have a top three. I really enjoyed the video of Melissa Dimotto. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc5qL5u-8q4 I think we have so much in common. Both former writers for Marketing and Media Relations and a genuine love for writing and speaking. Dimotto currently works for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and I'm currently interning for Froedtert Health. I definitely didn't imagine going into heathcare with my mjaor, but it's something I'm highly concersidering now. I also enjoyed the video of my greek advisor Rick Daniels. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbZ4VJQ2r_U He's such an awesome guy and provides some of the best and worthwhile advice. I enjoyed hearing him speak on the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity given no matter how big or small it may be. I think other vital information Daniels expressed is keeping documentation of recent assignments. I can't count on my fingers how many times I've been told to start developing my portfolio now!!:) Lastly I really enjoyed watching the video of Lynnette Hulgan!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax1agT4OOHc I think she's the ideal PR professional!! She's her own boss!! She has so much going for herself.It was very evident through her video she is always doing something!! She was very aspiring and motivational!! Through her apparent wisdom and words of advice I now know all things are possible with the power of PR!!:)

"Tweet Tweet"

     Okay so this may not be the exact sound I hear when I receive a mention from Twitter, but it’s pretty close. I got convinced to join the Twitter world in early December of last year. I was a bit skeptical at first because I didn’t quite know what to expect. It took no time for me to get familiar with the process of “tweeting.” Within the first week I was uploading pictures and re-tweeting messages from others. I thought to myself either I’m a fast learner or this is a rather simple site to use. I’ve grown quite found of this social network because it was easy to use to and manage. Not only this, but I enjoyed all that it allows you to do. In my opinion it really helps you to stay connected to what’s happening around you. I’m able to find out through Twitter the latest job offerings in the field of Public Relations, latest music that’s out by different music artists and I even have the ability to find out what’s occurring in other countries. Not only is Twitter used to keep in contact with friends and family, but is also beneficial in the realms of networking and building relationships. http://www.talenthq.com/2009/02/find-a-job-using-twitter-and-networking-twitter-job-search-strategies/ I have two Twitter accounts, one for the purposes of this class and the other I for personal use. It wasn’t until I began the page for this class I realized how many connections could be made with individuals from various backgrounds. I was very excited to follow those who we were instructed to follow because I knew I would be given some valuable information.
      For example “MarkRaganCEO,” tweeted an article on how to deliver a polished speech with 17 useful tips. From following different organizations and individuals a lot of knowledge and experience can be gained. I think trending topics is the best feature on Twitter. It’s a great way to inform those who may or not be following you on the latest news on just about any subject matter. If you find yourself being out of the loop and the topic is trending you’ll soon be informed on all you need to know. http://joshuadelung.blogspot.com/2011/04/broken-trending-topics-and-abcs-twitter.html
     To my surprise, a lot of well off organizations began to follow me. Organizations such as @PR_JobForce, and @prbizdaily. I believe it truly was a reflection of the tweets as well as re-tweets I’ve made and who I was already following that encouraged them to add me to their list of followers. This helped me to realize majorly if this social network is used to its full potential it could make the world or differences in someone’s life. I really enjoy utilizing Twitter and benefiting from its perks. It’s a great tool to use to network with different organizations or individuals, build relationships and I especially enjoy that it has the ability to make time go by a little bit faster. Ultimately I’ve learned that Twitter is definitely what you make it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/technology/personaltech/12pogue.html

"The PR Student"

As you probably already noticed my name is Sasha Dantzler and I am indeed a "PR Student." I attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. I will be a fourth year student this upcoming fall, majoring in Public Relations with an emphasis in English Writing. I'm very excited in learning all that I possibly can within the next school year. I'm more so excited about becoming more knowledgeable in the field of Public Relations. It's such an awesome topic to discuss:) I’m currently interning for Froedtert Health in the department of Planning and Strategic Support. I honestly work with such an amazing team. They’ve taken me under their wings and have shown me so much in the short amount of time I have been there. I’m very excited to learn all that I possibly can. I’m confident it will all be of much use to me as I continue on in my journey in PR. A very important fact to know about me is that I absolutely love my family and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to ensure their happiness. I’m very goofy and I love to live and enjoy life. I am your ideal “PR student.”