JournalismFree
Write AP style bylines and datelines
Say who reported the story and where, and get the byline, an AP dateline with the right state abbreviation, and any contributor or wire credit lines.
River writes the byline and dateline for a news story from a plain description of who reported it and where. You get the byline as your publication would print it, an AP style dateline with the right state abbreviation or none at all, and the contributor, wire service or staff credit lines that belong at the end of the story.
Datelines trip up even experienced writers because the rules are specific. AP uses its own state abbreviations rather than postal codes, spells out eight states in full, and lets about 30 major U.S. cities stand alone. River applies those rules and explains each choice, so you learn the pattern rather than just copying a line.
It is for student journalists, freelancers filing to a new outlet, small newsrooms without a copy desk, and anyone putting a datelined story on a website or newsletter for the first time.
How AP datelines work
A dateline tells readers where the reporting took place. In AP style it is the city in capital letters, followed by the AP abbreviation of the state, then a dash before the first word of the story: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Many newspapers no longer include the date in the dateline, since online stories carry a timestamp. A dateline should be used only when the reporter actually gathered the core information in that place.
Some U.S. cities are well known enough to stand alone, such as ATLANTA, BOSTON, CHICAGO, DENVER, LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE and WASHINGTON. Eight states are never abbreviated: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah. AP abbreviations differ from postal codes, so Illinois is Ill., not IL. In body text, AP has spelled out state names since 2014.
Bylines credit the people who reported and wrote the story. When others helped, a line at the end usually credits them, often starting with Contributing or naming the wire service whose material was used. Publications set their own byline formats, including whether titles appear. River follows AP for the dateline and your house style for the byline if you describe it.
How it works
Describe the story
Say who reported it, where, who else contributed, and any wire material.
River applies AP rules
State abbreviations, stand-alone cities and credit lines are checked.
Get the lines
The byline, dateline and credit lines, each with a short reason.
Adjust in chat
Tell River your house style and it reformats to match.
What you get
- A byline formatted for one or more reporters, with titles if your publication uses them
- An AP dateline with the correct state abbreviation, or the city alone where AP allows it
- Contributor, staff and wire service credit lines for the end of the story
- A one-line explanation of each formatting choice, so you can apply the rule next time
- A flag if the dateline does not match where the reporting actually happened
Common questions
Why does AP write Ill. instead of IL?
AP uses its own traditional state abbreviations in datelines rather than two-letter postal codes, so Illinois is Ill., California is Calif. and Michigan is Mich. Postal codes are for mailing addresses. Eight states, including Texas and Ohio, are never abbreviated at all, and in body text AP spells out state names.
Which cities need no state?
AP keeps a list of about 30 U.S. cities that stand alone in datelines, including ATLANTA, BOSTON, CHICAGO, DENVER, LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE and WASHINGTON. Any city not on the list takes its state. River checks the list and tells you which applies.
Can I use a dateline if I reported by phone?
Generally no. A dateline tells readers the reporter gathered the core information in that place. If you reported from your newsroom by phone and email, most publications drop the dateline or use their home city. River flags a dateline that does not match where you say the reporting happened.
How do I credit a wire service or another reporter?
Most publications add a line at the end of the story, such as Contributing: followed by the names, or a note that the story includes material from a wire service. The exact wording is house style. Describe who contributed what, and River writes the line in the form your publication uses.
Write AP style bylines and datelines
Describe what you need, add any files you have, and your workspace opens with the work already underway.