Writing for public relations

ADV 225 Activity #7: Organizing a Traditional News Release

DUE BY 7:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Traditional news releases have a rigid standardized format that mirrors a news story as it would appear in a daily newspaper. Based on the assignment/prompt for Writing Project #3, use the following template to organize your announcement news release.

RELEASE TIMING CONTACT: {NAME}

[ ] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE {DATE} {PHONE NUMBER}

[ ] EMBARGOED UNTIL {DATE}

HEADLINE

Eight words that include ALL or PART of the NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT. Should use present tense verbs.

{WHO} will {WHAT}

SUBHEAD

14 words that support the NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT. Should use present tense verbs.

LEAD PARAGRAPH

25 words (or fewer) that describe the NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT, beginning with a DATELINE. (Dateline does not count toward the word count.)

DATELINE, State –– {WHO} has announced {WHAT} for the purpose of {WHY} scheduled for {WHEN} at {WHERE}.

QUOTE #1 - SIMPSON

Explain WHY news announcement is exciting and/or deliver an UNSUBSTANTIATED FACT in a format consistent with a PRINT NEWS STORY.

“Start your quote at the beginning of a new paragraph,” said {NAME}, {TITLE}, {ORGANIZATION}. “Finish it after your attribution.”

SUPPORTING DETAIL

Support the quote or news announcement with the next-most important detail or background information.

QUOTE #2 - SYLVESTER

Explain WHY news announcement is exciting and/or deliver an UNSUBSTANTIATED FACT in a format consistent with a PRINT NEWS STORY.

“Start your quote at the beginning of a new paragraph,” said {NAME}, {TITLE}, {ORGANIZATION}. “Finish it after your attribution.”

MORE SUPPORTING DETAIL

Support the quote or news announcement with the next-most important detail or background information.

CONCLUDING SUPPORTING DETAIL (if necessary)

Further support the quote or news announcement with the next-most important detail or background information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION/CALL TO ACTION

End your news release with a “For More Information” paragraph that tells readers how to learn more.

Fore more information about {WHAT}, visit {WEB ADDRESS} or {FACEBOOK PAGE}.

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