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AP style Tip: Military Titles

• Capitalize military rank when it is used before a person's name
• Use title in first reference only
• Lowercase when used instead of a name
• Use discretion- explain title if it is not common knowledge what it means
• There are specific abbreviations for different titles and some (ex. General- Gen.)
• Use retired and then title in first reference for retired officers

Showing V. Telling

SHOWING: Sitting at her desk, diligently taking notes, Sydney heard the boys sitting behind her whispering and giggling as she tried to pay attention. She felt a tap on her shoulder as she was handed a note. She looked down at it, and there was a name on it: Anne Frank.

TELLING: Sydney was sitting in class when the boys behind her gave her an anti-Semitic nickname.

-Felicia Cohen