Communication 3505 Press Release Assignment

Due:

Submission Checklist:

1. Grading Template

2. Preface: Audience description; rationale for communication tools; audience decision-making needs; measures of success.

3. Completed Peer Review

4. Press Release: Contact Information; Release time; Headline; Text

5. Communication Tool #1

6. Communication Tool #2

Description: You will receive a set of facts for a story which will serve as the basis for your press release assignment.

Required Elements:

1. PREFACE

You must have a preface, separate and apart from the press release itself.

In this preface you must:

a. describe the audience(s) you are trying to reach,

b. describe why you have selected the two additional communications tools (beyond the press release) which you will employ as part of your strategy to reach this/these audience/s explaining your rationale for using them,

c. explain what information your audience needs to make a decision whether or not to support the ideas contained within the press release.

d. Finally, you must describe the means by which you will measure the success of your communication efforts.

2. PRESS RELEASE

a. Your press release must have a headline, contact information, and release time at the top of the page.

b. The writing style must be in the form of a news story. It must be concise and precise; it must answer all of the pertinent questions about the story; it must emphasize what an editor will think is the most important about this event/topic. Incorporate news values discussed in the text, such as prominence, timeliness, proximity, impact, and magnitude. If relevant, include conflict, oddity, or emotional impact. Write a lead which summarizes relevant information and organize the rest of the release in the inverted pyramid style (as discussed in the text). Refer to the Associated Press style book for other questions on style.

c. Communication tools for the press release (review class notes and refer to the text). Create two additional tools for the press release. Consider developing your tools from the list below (see your text for more information, consult other texts as well):

Letters, Newsletter articles, Pamphlets/brochures, Websites, Speeches, statements, oral presentations, Public Service Announcements, Video news releases, Image advertising, Media Kits.

Consult with your client to make sure the information incorporated in this package is accurate and complete.

Grading Standards:

Objective----------------------------------------------------------Subjective

Are required elements present?----------------------------Style, language use

Grammar/Accuracy/Factuality---------Creativity/Insightfulness/Persuasiveness