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past tense
The use of past tense should be favored whenever possible. Your content will almost always be consumed after you’ve created it — in most cases, several days after — so you should write with a future audience in mind. Past tense should be especially favored when talking about events in progress or that are unlikely
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long term, short term
Always two words. Hyphenate when used as adjective: Drew Bledsoe signed a long-term contract with the Patriots; The Pelicans hoped Zion Williamson could lead them long-term. Unhyphenated when used as a noun: Jacoby Brissett will serve as the Cardinals’ answer at quarterback in the short term.
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datelines
A dateline should be used when the preponderance of reporting is done outside the news outlet’s home location. The dateline should identify where the bulk of the reporting was done. It does not identify where the story was written or where a subject was located when interviewed by phone or video call. When applicable, a
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United States
In all headlines and on subsequent reference in copy, US (no periods) is acceptable. See: Team USA
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46 defense
Typically a variant of the 4-3 defense characterized by a hybrid strong safety/linebacker to put eight defenders in or near the box. On subsequent reference, simply 46 is acceptable.
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frontrunner
One word.
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records
Be mindful of the difference between “breaking a record” and “setting a record.” Use broke in the context of the presenting the previous record-holder or record-setting figure: Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s MLB record for most career home runs. Use set when the achievement is presented alone: Roger Maris set the single-season home run record
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tennis scoring
Use the following format for all match-based scoring summaries: Name (affiliation) def. Name (affiliation), X-X, X-X, X-X. Example: Mary Gilligan (St. Joseph’s) def. Tanya Christmas (Buford Prep), 6-3, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6.
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money
Always use a dollar symbol followed by digits to represent a dollar figure: the candy cost $2; a $485 dollar ticket For numbers in the thousands, use commas: a $50,000 bonus For numbers in the millions, billions, etc., use digits followed by the multiplier: a six-year, $117 million contract For cents, use digits followed by