--- title: Quoting and Punctuation Rules for AP and CP Style description: In this article, you will find explanations and examples of how quotations are handled differently in AP and CP style of news writing. --- [Skip to content](https://help.indiegraf.com/quoting-and-punctuation-rules-for-ap-and-cp-style#main-content) - [English](https://help.indiegraf.com/quoting-and-punctuation-rules-for-ap-and-cp-style) - [Español](https://help.indiegraf.com/es/quoting-and-punctuation-rules-for-ap-and-cp-style) English Show submenu for translations [Publisher Portal](https://portal.indiegraf.com/tickets?hsLang=en) [![Indiegraf-PrimaryLogo-FullColor-1](https://help.indiegraf.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Indiegraf-PrimaryLogo-FullColor-1.png?width=262&height=60&name=Indiegraf-PrimaryLogo-FullColor-1.png)](https://help.indiegraf.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - - [English](https://help.indiegraf.com/quoting-and-punctuation-rules-for-ap-and-cp-style) - [Español](https://help.indiegraf.com/es/quoting-and-punctuation-rules-for-ap-and-cp-style) English Show submenu for translations - [Publisher Portal](https://portal.indiegraf.com/tickets) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Indiegraf](https://help.indiegraf.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Indie Website](https://help.indiegraf.com/indie-website?hsLang=en) 3. [Content Creation & Management](https://help.indiegraf.com/indie-website?hsLang=en#content-creation-management) January 14, 2026 # Quoting and Punctuation Rules for AP and CP Style ## In this article, you will find explanations and examples of how quotations are handled differently in AP and CP style of news writing. Both styles aim for clarity and accuracy, but CP style aligns more closely with British punctuation rules, while AP style follows standard American conventions. Let's take a look at some key examples of their differences: ### **1. Punctuation Placement** **AP Style:** Places **commas and periods inside** the quotation marks. ​**CP Style:** Places **commas and periods outside** the quotation marks unless they are part of the quoted material. ✅ **AP Style Example:** - The mayor said, **"We will rebuild,"** after the storm devastated the town. ✅ **CP Style Example:** - The mayor said, **"We will rebuild",** after the storm devastated the town. ---   ### **2. Quotations Within Quotations** **AP Style:** Uses **single quotation marks (‘ ’) for a quote inside another quote**. ​**CP Style:** Uses **double quotation marks for both the main quote and the inner quote**. ✅ **AP Style Example:** - The teacher said, **"When I asked the student, ‘Did you complete your assignment?’ she nodded."** ✅ **CP Style Example:** - The teacher said, **"When I asked the student, 'Did you complete your assignment?' she nodded."** ---   ### **3. Partial Quotations** **AP Style:** A **partial quote should not alter the meaning of the original sentence**. ​**CP Style:** Similar to AP, but is more likely to **paraphrase rather than break a sentence into multiple quotations**. ✅ **AP Style Example:** - The CEO said the company is **"on track to meet its goals"** by the end of the year. ✅ **CP Style Example:** - The CEO said the company is on track to meet its goals by the end of the year. ---   ### **4. Quotes in News Headlines** **AP Style:** Uses **single quotation marks in headlines**. ​**CP Style:** Uses **double quotation marks in headlines**. ✅ **AP Style Headline:** - City Official: **‘Budget Cuts Are Necessary’** ✅ **CP Style Headline:** - City Official: **"Budget Cuts Are Necessary"** - [Welcome to Indiegraf](https://help.indiegraf.com/welcome-to-indiegraf?hsLang=en) - [Onboarding](https://help.indiegraf.com/onboarding?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Quick Start Guide](https://help.indiegraf.com/onboarding?hsLang=en#quick-start-guide) - [Indie Website](https://help.indiegraf.com/indie-website?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Analytics & Growth](https://help.indiegraf.com/indie-website?hsLang=en#analytics-growth) - [Audience Engagement & Forms](https://help.indiegraf.com/indie-website?hsLang=en#audience-engagement-forms) - [Configuring your Homepage](https://help.indiegraf.com/indie-website?hsLang=en#configuring-your-homepage) - [Content Creation & Management](https://help.indiegraf.com/indie-website?hsLang=en#content-creation-management) - 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