Instruction
Instructions:
Write a press release of 300-500 words on one of the following events:
• The AwesomeCon comic convention coming to Washington, DC in August
• The Iditarod race, which begins March 6
• Earth Hour, which is scheduled for March 27
Visit the website of the event you choose to determine your news angle, as well as other research necessary to complete a press release. Do not copy any releases you find during your research.
Your press release must include:
• Logo of the organization or event
• Contact name and information
• Headline (subhead is optional)
• Dateline
• Lead, including attribution/source
• At least one quote from a likely spokesperson. As the organization’s public relations representative, you will ghost-write the quote for your spokesperson.
• Background data, research, pricing or other facts
• Boilerplate (OK to copy boilerplate if it exists)
Grading:
• Does the press release include logo, contact info and dateline? (1 point)
• Is the headline newsworthy, interesting and brief (2 points)
• Does the lead cover the 5Ws in one to two sentences and include attribution? (2 points)
• Is there a quote from a high-level spokesperson? Is the quote interesting? Does it bring another perspective to the information? Does it persuade the reader? (2 Points)
• Is the press release newsworthy? Does it provide details and facts that convince the reporter to cover the story? Is it written in AP style (2 points)
• Does it include a complete boilerplate? (1 point)