Writing News
Releases & PSAs: Suggested Activities
Writing
News Releases & PSAs
This section provides pointers on how to write effective
tip sheets, news releases, and public service announcements. Refer to this
section when you need to send written information to reporters.
Suggested Activities
Section 1
-
Invite someone in your area of expertise to
your organization. Write a tip sheet about the upcoming event. (You may
need some biographical information on the speaker so you will have enough
information for the tip sheet.) Send it to local reporters. Be sure to
include any supporting information that will entice reporters to cover
the story. (What makes this presentation/meeting different from others?)
(Objectives 1, 5)
-
Read the tip sheet example provided in Example
Tip Sheet, News Release, & PSA. Practice writing tip sheets
for activities that you do.
Section 2
-
With the expert mentioned in the previous
section’s suggested activities, conduct a practice news conference with
the expert. Write in advance at least two questions to ask during the news
conference. (Objectives 1, 5)
-
Following the news conference, write a news
story release about the speaker’s presentation. Send the news story release,
with a photograph, to the local newspaper for possible inclusion in the
next issue of the paper.
(Objective 5)
-
Read the news release examples provided in
Example
Tip Sheet, News Release, & PSA. Practice writing news releases
for activities that you do.
Section 3
-
To complete the scenario, write a public service
announcement, inviting the public to the meeting, to be read on the air
at local radio stations. The PSA should be 20 seconds or less. (Objectives
1, 5)
-
Send the PSA to the public information representative
at your local radio stations. (Objectives 1, 5)
-
Read the PSA examples provided in Example
Tip Sheet, News Release, & PSA. Practice writing PSAs for activities
that you do.
Section 4
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