The Stylebook offers a basic reference to American English grammar, punctuation, and principles of reporting, including many definitions and rules for usage as well as styles for capitalization, abbreviation, spelling, and numerals.

Additionally, the AP Stylebook also provides English grammar recommendations through social media, including Twitter,[1] Facebook,[2] Pinterest,[3] and Instagram.

[5][6] Writers in broadcasting, news, magazine publishing, marketing departments and public relations firms traditionally adopt and apply AP grammar and punctuation styles.

The first publicly available edition of AP Stylebook was published in 1953 under the title "The Associated Press Style Book".

[8] In 2000, the guide was renamed The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law and the paperback edition has been published under this title since then.

The first corporate-wide style guide, with a complete reference to American English words and grammar, was released in 1909, under the title: "The Associate Press Rules Regulations and General Orders".

By the early 1950s the publication was formalized into the AP Stylebook and became the leading professional English grammar reference by most member and non-member news bureaus throughout the world.

Due to growing demand by non-member journalists and writers working in public-facing corporate communications, the AP published their first official "stylebook" for the general public in 1953 under the title Associated Press Style Book; the first publication focused on "where the wire set a specific style".

[14][15][16][17] For nearly a quarter century it assumed its reader had a "solid grounding in language and a good reference library" and thus omitted any guidelines in those broader areas.

[17] Firstly, The structure was changed and entries were organized in alphabetical order so that users could find what they need in a timely manner.

[20][21] In 1982, Eileen Alt Powell, a co-editor of AP Stylebook 1980 edition, stated that: Howard Angione... at times thought the task he and UPI counterpart Bobby Ray Miller had undertaken resembled the quest of Don Quixote.

[32][33] Many other North American sectors disseminating information to the public began to adopt news styles as early as the late 1800s.

The Associated Press has reduced the frequency in print publication due to the popularity of the online version of the AP Stylebook.

[6] In 2008, about 200 new or revised entries were added, including "iPhone", "anti-virus", "outsourcing", "podcast", "text messaging", "social networking", "high-definition" and "Wikipedia".

[44] In 2013, about 90 new or revised entries were added, including "Benedictine", "Grand Marnier", "madeleine" and "upside-down cake", "chichi" and "froufrou".