The associated press style guide is a style and usage guide used by news industry in the United States. I feel that AP style is extremely important, especially for aspiring student journalists. The guide allows them a reference to use when writing stories to be certain that their writing is following the associated press protocol. The use of AP style when writing makes the process much easier, it is a guide that assists journalists with grammar, punctuation, and most importantly the usage of abbreviation, dates, etc. The AP is constantly updating the editions of the AP style guide every year to ensure it is always up to date with correct information. I believe this allows both aspiring and veteran journalists a very useful tool when having to write stories that must be free of error.