10 Exercises in Media Writing

WRITING EXERCISES
1. The sentences below contain at least one AP style error each. Locate the errors and make
the appropriate corrections.
a. I gave Reverend Jamie Stokes 1/3 of the money I had in my wallet after he gave a
rousing sermon on the pulpit.
Change 1/3 to “one third”

b. Prof. Tim Gleason once lived at Four S. ash Boulevard in Akron, OH.

Change “Prof.” to “Professor” and capitalize “ash” and abbrieviate “Boulevard” to

“Blvrd.”

c. After Senator John Kerry served in the Vietnam war, he received 3 purple hearts,
1 bronze star and 1 silver star.

Spell out all the numbers instead of writing the number.

d. In the 1980's, Charles lived on S. Third St. in a 2 bedroom house.

Spell out the number two

e. At 9PM, I met Jim at the movies to see Deadpool, starring Mr. Ryan Reynolds.

Instead of “9PM” write “9 P.M.”

f. When I turned sixteen, my Dad bought me a membership to the American

Automobile Association so I never had to worry about my car breaking down.

Write “16” instead of “sixteen”

g. Jim attended Westminster college because he could get a 2 room suite in the dorms
and a one thousand dollar scholarship.

Capitalize “college” and write out the number two.

h. Even when he got four Fs on his report card, Barry's bad grades did not seem to
phase him.

Change “Fs” to “F’s”

i. When he heard the devastating news, the Governor declared that the flag at the
capital should be lowered to half-mast.

Capitalize “capital”
j. After he received her BA in Journalism, Tracy went to N.Y. and worked as a reporter
for Newsweek Magazine.

Spell out “New York”

k. Jones lost the election for Senator in Wis. to Smith by a ratio of two to one.
Write out full names.

1. During WW 2, Sargent Bill Jones would always run towards danger to help people.

Spell out “World War II”

m. When Zoe was three-years-old, we put her in a day care group for the Summer.

Un-capitalize “summer”

n. When he drives on I-94, he usually exceeds 70 miles per hour.