How to Answer: Do you prefer AP Style or Chicago Style writing? Which writing style guide do you best follow?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Journalist job interview.
19. Do you prefer AP Style or Chicago Style writing? Which writing style guide do you best follow?
How to Answer
AP Style, known more formally as the Associated Press Stylebook is a 330-page style book that addresses writing styles or 'rules' for copy written by journalists, PR firms, or news entities. It touches on adequately citing sources and correct usage of titles.
Chicago Style, also known as the Chicago Manual of Style is a much longer 950-page style book that acts as a much more robust guide for editors, authors, and book publishers.
Discuss with the interviewer which stylebook you prefer, and why. It's essential that you are familiar with both style books, but it is common for writers to lean towards one over the other.
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 27th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"As a journalist, I am much closer to the AP Style, since it helps me to prevent potentially embarrassing errors when it comes to titles, citing sources, or accidental plagiarism. With that said, I am also very familiar with Chicago Style, which I refer to when writing larger pieces such as ebooks or editorials."
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 27th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I have training in both Chicago Style and AP Style; however, I find that I reference AP Style more often in my journalism career. I see both style books to be an excellent help to me as a writer, and a journalist."
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 27th, 2019