News%20Releases

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News Releases
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Objectives

• State the purpose of a news release
• Describe the writing style and format used in a
  news release
• Describe the way a news release is organized
• Write a news release

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Overview

• Purpose
• Format
• Organization

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Purpose

• To inform the media about a newsworthy event or
  to provide additional information about an
  ongoing case in a clear and easily understood
  manner.
• To notify a number of media outlets
  simultaneously about a newsworthy event.

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Goal of a News Release

• To produce a news release that can be run
  verbatim in the next days paper or read verbatim
  by an electronic journalist.
• Accuracy verify the facts
• Brevity give JUST the facts
• Clarity keep it simple

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Format

• Elements of a News Release
• Header (SC NG)
• Contact name, phone number and/or email
• Conditions for release (Immediate)
• Headline
• Dateline
• Story (one page only, if possible)
• Clear indication of ending ( or 30)

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•  

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General Guidelines

• Fact Just because the Army is putting out a news
  release, doesnt mean the media will find it
  newsworthy thats your job!
• Grab their attention with the Headline, but dont
  tell the whole story in the headline
• Make maximum use of space!

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General Guidelines (Cont.)

• Use simple construction and words
• Write in active voice
• Use vivid words
• Use abbreviations and acronyms only when they can
  be understood by the general public
• Be specific!

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Organization

• Inverted Pyramid Style facts arranged in order
  of importance from most to least

Most Important
FACTS
Least Important
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The Lead

• Tells the gist of the story
• Must answer the 4 main Ws
• Who, What, Where and When
• Should be one sentence, 30 words or less
• Dont try and jam all your info. In the lead
• People are almost always your lead emphasis

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The Bridge

• Transition paragraph that connects
• lead to body
• WAITS
• Ws not in the lead (Why/How)
• Attribution
• Identification
• Tie-back information
• Secondary information

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The body

• The rest of the story
• Should list all remaining pieces of releasable
  information, in descending order of importance

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AP Style

• The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on
  Media Law, usually called the AP Stylebook, is a
  style and usage guide used by newspapers and in
  the news industry in the US.
• The book is updated annually by Associated Press
  editors, usually in June.

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AP Style

• Grammar
• Acronyms
• Punctuation
• Principles and practices of reporting

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Interviewing
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Interviewing
Preparation and Research

• Research your subject thoroughly
• - Internet, trade magazines, bios/fact sheets,
  previous stories
• Prepare questions before the interview
• Pre-interview other people
• Schedule place, time for interview
• Set up photo opportunity

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Determine appropriate SMEs
Interviewing

• The who or what will determine SMEs
• Use additional resources
• Vary your SMEs on similar stories

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Interviewing
Conducting the interview

• Remember military bearing
• Be flexible
• Avoid Yes/No questions (probing)
• Focus on your questions
• Dont ask dumb questions

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Interviewing
Conducting the interview

• Get rid of any awkwardness
• Build a real sense of interest
• Keep the door open for follow-ups
• Send a copy of the article

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Interviewing
Effective note taking

• Use personal form of shorthand
• Go back over notes ASAP
• Learn to keep writing and talking simultaneously
• Keep writing even if uninterested
• Learn to get the high points
• Review notes prior to concluding the interview

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Interviewing

• Records everything
• Captures rapid speakers
• Lets you listen
• Captures quotes accurately
• Eliminates I didnt say that
• Allows for self-criticism

Tape recorders advantages
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Interviewing
Tape recorders disadvantages

• Records everything
• Tapes must be transcribed
• Mechanical failures
• Might intimidate the subject
• ALWAYS supplement with notes!!!

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Quotes

• One to three sentences.
• Attribute after first sentence if more than one.
• Used to give specific details.
• Used for opinions or feelings.
• AP stylebook tip On second reference, only a
  persons last name is used, unless there is more
  than one person with that last name!

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Check on Learning
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• Q. What are essential elements of a news release?
• A. Header, contact info, conditions for release,
  headline, dateline, story, and indication of
  ending.

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• Q. State the purpose of a news release
• A. To inform the media about a newsworthy event
  or to provide additional information about an
  ongoing case in a clear and easily understood
  manner.
• To notify a number of media outlets
  simultaneously about a newsworthy event.

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Q. What is AP Style? A. It is a style and usage
guide used by newspapers and in the news industry
in the US.
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Write a news release
Situation Your unit is conducting off road
driver training during annual training right
before hurricane season. This is the first time
in 8 years, so a majority of the unit hasnt done
it. Location McCrady Training Center, Eastover,
SC Quote We want them to learn these
fundamental skills so they will be able to
navigate any obstacles in the event of a
hurricane, said 1st Sgt. Jim McQueen.
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• Questions?