INSTRUCTIONS
Like most of the assignments in COMM 4590, the news release assignment simulates actual strategic communications work experience. You're going to assume that a client (see below) has asked your PR agency to help them publicize an event. Your boss has assigned you to the account and has asked you to follow up with the client, identify a source, interview the source and get a good quote, then write a news release to persuade the media to cover the event (hint: that's the strategy!)
First, you need to select one of the two options for the topic of your news release: 1) a campus event, or 2) a local non-profit event.
Then you will write an Announcement News Release (PDF/Paper) following the example in the lectures and textbook p. 112.
- Include your name, title (you can make one up), email and phone number on the news release as the contact.
- Follow the letterhead/template example from the textbook p. 112.
- The news release should include 3-5 paragraphs, be no more than one page long, include at least one quote from your source (a real person associated with your topic that you interviewed), a headline, and contain 4 of the 5 W's in your lead paragraph (who, what, when, where). Your quote should explain the 5th W (why).
- The final paragraph should contain a call to action with link to website and/or phone number for more information.
- Include three ### at the bottom to signify the end of the release.
- Be sure to have someone else review your assignment and make sure you review the grading rubric prior to submission.
- List the news release strategy at the bottom of the page (hint: it is revealed in the lecture videos).
This assignment does NOT require a word count.
Submit
Click the SUBMIT button that is associated with this assignment. Use this method to submit your assignment:
- Upload your paper in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format
Grading
Your paper will be graded according to the criteria in the rubric.
- Strategy clearly defined and listed on the release
- News release follows the correct format from the textbook and lecture videos
- Spelling, grammar, punctuation, style