Transcript Command Messages - South Carolina National Guard

News Releases
Objectives
• State the purpose of a news release
• Describe the writing style and format used in a
news release
• Describe the way a news release is organized
• Write a news release
Overview
• Purpose
• Format
• Organization
Purpose
• To inform the media about a newsworthy
event or to provide additional information
about an ongoing case in a clear and easily
understood manner.
• To notify a number of media outlets
simultaneously about a newsworthy event.
Goal of a News Release
To produce a news release that can be
run verbatim in the next day’s paper or
read verbatim by an electronic journalist.
- Accuracy: verify the facts
- Brevity: give JUST the facts
- Clarity: keep it simple
Format
Elements of a News Release
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Header (SC NG)
Contact name, phone number and/or email
Conditions for release (Immediate)
Headline
Dateline
Story (one page only, if possible)
Clear indication of ending (“###” or “30”)
General Guidelines
• Fact: Just because the Army is putting out a
news release, doesn’t mean the media will
find it newsworthy – that’s your job!
• Grab their attention with the Headline, but
don’t tell the whole story in the headline
• Make maximum use of space!
General Guidelines (Cont.)
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Use simple construction and words
Write in active voice
Use vivid words
Use abbreviations and acronyms only when
they can be understood by the general public
• Be specific!
Organization
• Inverted Pyramid Style – facts arranged in
order of importance from most to least
Most Important
Lead
F
A
C
T
S
Bridge
Body
Least Important
The Lead
• Tells the gist of the story
• Must answer the 4 main Ws
– Who, What, Where and When
LEAD
Bridge
Body
• Should be one sentence, 30 words or less
• Don’t try and jam all your info. In the lead
• People are almost always your lead emphasis
The Bridge
• Transition paragraph that connects
lead to body
• WAITS:
– Ws not in the lead (Why/How)
– Attribution
– Identification
– Tie-back information
– Secondary information
Lead
BRIDGE
Body
The body
• The rest of the story
• Should list all remaining pieces of
releasable information, in
descending order of importance
Lead
Bridge
BODY
AP Style
• The Associated Press Stylebook and
Briefing on Media Law, usually called the
AP Stylebook, is a style and usage guide
used by newspapers and in the news
industry in the US.
• The book is updated annually by Associated
Press editors, usually in June.
AP Style
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Grammar
Acronyms
Punctuation
Principles and practices of reporting
Interviewing
Preparation and Research
Interviewing
• Research your subject thoroughly
- Internet, trade magazines, bios/fact sheets,
previous stories
• Prepare questions before the interview
• Pre-interview other people
• Schedule place, time for interview
• Set up photo opportunity
Interviewing
Determine appropriate SMEs
• The “who” or “what” will determine SMEs
• Use additional resources
• Vary your SME’s on similar stories
Conducting the interview
Interviewing
• Remember military bearing
• Be flexible
• Avoid Yes/No questions (probing)
• Focus on your questions
• Don’t ask dumb questions
Conducting the interview
Interviewing
 Get rid of any awkwardness
 Build a real sense of interest
 Keep the door open for follow-ups
 Send a copy of the article
Effective note taking
Interviewing
• Use personal form of shorthand
• Go back over notes ASAP
• Learn to keep writing and talking simultaneously
• Keep writing even if uninterested
• Learn to get the high points
• Review notes prior to concluding the interview
Tape recorders: advantages
Interviewing
• Records everything
• Captures rapid speakers
• Lets you listen
• Captures quotes accurately
• Eliminates “I didn’t say that…”
• Allows for self-criticism
Tape recorders: disadvantages
Interviewing
• Records everything
• Tapes must be transcribed
• Mechanical failures
• Might intimidate the subject
• ALWAYS supplement with notes!!!
Quotes
• One to three sentences.
• Attribute after first sentence if more than
one.
• Used to give specific details.
• Used for opinions or feelings.
AP stylebook tip: On second reference, only a person’s last name is used, unless
there is more than one person with that last name!
Check on Learning
Q. What are essential elements of a news
release?
• A. Header, contact info, conditions for
release, headline, dateline, story, and
indication of ending.
Q. State the purpose of a news release
A. To inform the media about a newsworthy event
or to provide additional information about an
ongoing case in a clear and easily understood
manner.
• To notify a number of media outlets
simultaneously about a newsworthy event.
Q. What is AP Style?
A. It is a style and usage guide used by
newspapers and in the news industry in the
US.
Write a news release
Situation: Your unit is conducting off road driver
training during annual training right before
hurricane season. This is the first time in 8
years, so a majority of the unit hasn’t done it.
Location: McCrady Training Center, Eastover,
SC
Quote: “We want them to learn these
fundamental skills so they will be able to
navigate any obstacles in the event of a
hurricane,” said 1st Sgt. Jim McQueen.
Questions?