How to Contruct A News Release in Journalism
Overview
This OER will effectively teach the proper ways and formatting of how to cultivate a news or press release in journalism. It is a valuable resource designed to help students master crafting news releases. News releases are essential for communicating newsworthy information to the media and the public. This OER provides a comprehensive overview of the key components, writing techniques, and best practices for creating impactful news releases.
Content and exercises will include tips on writing correctly formatted datelines, leads, nutgrafs, body paragraphs, quotes, proper information gathering and more!
Navigate through the information in this module and complete the exercise to evaluate your understanding of the material.
Overview
This OER will effectively teach the proper ways and formatting of how to cultivate a news or press release in journalism. It is a valuable resource designed to help students master crafting news releases. News releases are essential for communicating newsworthy information to the media and the public. This OER provides a comprehensive overview of the key components, writing techniques, and best practices for creating impactful news releases.
Content and exercises will include tips on writing correctly formatted datelines, leads, nutgrafs, body paragraphs, quotes, proper information gathering and more!
Navigate through the information in this module and complete the exercise to evaluate your understanding of the material.
Learning Objectives
Here's a list of learning objectives for such an OER:
Identify Newsworthy Topics:
- Learn how to recognize newsworthy events, stories, and announcements suitable for news releases.
Information Gathering:
- Determine which method of interviewing is most effective for the story
Write a Compelling Lede Paragraph:
- Compose a concise lede paragraph that answers the essential questions of who, what, when, where, and why.
Structure a News Release Properly:
- Understand the standard structure of a news release, including the order of information and formatting.
Maintain Clear and Concise Language:
- Master the art of writing with clarity, conciseness, and objectivity in news releases.
Incorporate Quotes Effectively:
- Learn how to use quotes from key sources to provide credibility and add depth to news releases.
Attribute Quotes and Sources:
- Ensure proper attribution and citation of quotes and sources within the news release.
What is Newsworthy?
Determining whether or not an event or situation is newsworthy is the first step in craving a news release.
Things to Consider:
- Timeliness- has it happened recently?
- Significance- who does it affect? How does it impact the reader?
- Prominence- is it relevant?
- Proximity- is it a global or local story?
- Conflict- opposition creating drama or human interest
- Human Interest- affects humans and is relevant to daily life
Interview Techniques
There are three main methods of information collection for a news release
Interview in-person:
- Best form of interviewing
- Can read body language
Interview by phone:
- the second best method of interviewing
Procedures: identify yourself/subject, personal connection, smiley voice
Pros: sources prefer, dress optional, more desk space, computer, sensitive questions easier, control the time
Techniques: explain quickly what you are asking, be polite – even to answering machines, and be courteous and professional; silences don’t work in phone interviews, and ends are tougher
Interview by email:
Pros: efficient
Cons: who are you talking to? No spontaneous questions, useable quote but no revealing answers
Keep in professional: identify yourself as a reporter, apply critical-thinking and fact checking skills
Ledes
The Lede:
- What was the unique/most interesting/most unusual thing that happened?
Who was involved/who said what
5 W’s and H
Who, what, when, where in LEDE
Don’t try to cram it all into the lede, can be too much information
Usually, WHAT and WHO first
A Lede Formula:
Subject Verb Object
Active vs. Passive
Nut Graf
Nut Graf:
Why am I writing this?
Why do I think the reader should read this?
How does the story affect the reader? (if it doesn’t, it is not a story.)
Include Transitions:
Present story elements in logical order (chronology)
Use introductions as transitions between speakers
Set the scene for a new area of discussion
Quotes and Attribution
Quote Guidelines
If a quote is more than one sentence long, put the attribution at the end of the FIRST sentence
Identify the speaker the first time his or her name is used
…. Said Anthony, assistant president of \
Dont attribute direct quotes to more than one person
In general, use the past tense throughout your story, and be consistent
The word “said” is perfectly acceptable and usually is preferable to its synonyms
Descriptive words: shouted, whispered, mumbled, rasped
Punctuate quotes with commas, not periods
“I predict we will win more than five games this season, “ Napier said.
Punctuation that follows a quote usually goes inside the quotation marks
Ex. the sex and violence was overwhelming in “Winnie the Pooh,” police reported.
The question mark
Ex. “ Have you eaten lunch yet?”
Who wrote “Gone With the Wind”?
Attribution is set off by commas if it follows the quote or if the attribution coms before a direct quote
“Williams set the meatballs on fire,” Jones said.
Attribution is not set off by commas if it comes before a paraphrased quote
A noted exception- using the words “according to”
According to campus police,
Richard was running naked through the Quad, according to campus police.
Begin a new paragraph when a new person speaks- DO NOT burry quotes
Ending Exercise
Exercise: Writing a News Release Headline and Subheadline
1. Choose a Newsworthy Topic: Select a newsworthy topic or event that you'd like to write a news release about. This could be a school event, a community project, a significant achievement, or any topic of interest.
2. Interview: Interview someone close to you as practice with each interview style.
3. Craft a Lede: Incorporate the 5W's and H into creating an engaging and adequately formatted lede for the story.
4. Nut Graf: Write a shortened nut graf, hitting all important aspects of the event
5. Quote: Find ONE strong quote, incorporate it with transitions and correct attribution