Posted on

New to PR? Avoid These Typical News Release Errors

When you’re drafting a news release, the devil’s in the details, especially with AP style. It’s a bit like Goldilocks: not too hot, not too cold, but just right. For example, get your dateline city names in ALL CAPS. It’s a spotlight on where the action is happening. And those state abbreviations? They’re not a free-for-all; they’ve got to match AP’s specific style.

Headlines, though? They’re more of a low-key affair. Stick to sentence case—only the first word and proper nouns earn the right to a capital letter. It’s like a calm handshake compared to a high-five. And when releasing your news, timing is everything. “For Immediate Release” can scream urgency, but sometimes a specific date whispers professionalism.

Remember, too, that active voice is your friend. It strides confidently into the room, while passive voice might just hover at the door. These aren’t just tips; they’re the threads that weave your news release into a tapestry of credibility. Let’s zoom in and fine-tune these elements, ensuring your news release hits all the right notes with the precision of a professional.

Common Errors to Avoid

Below are some more of the most common errors I tend to see in the first news releases written by public relations students.

  • Forgetting that a news release needs to be NEWSWORTHY
  • AP style errors, most notably including a serial comma, capitalizing titles after a name and improper abbreviations
  • Some cities don’t need states in the dateline.
  • Missing a strong summary lede
  • Missing the nut graf
  • Missing required elements, such as end marks, contact information and boilerplate content
  • Including exclamation points unless they are part of a quotation from a source
  • Using I/we/our, unless you are using a direct quotation. The story should read as though it is from a journalist, not a PR practitioner or the client.
  • Editorializing in a news story.
  • Failing to use a quotation or two to liven up the story

So what’s the best way to avoid these errors? Read news releases from written by public relations practitioners. And just like getting to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.

PR Pros & Journalists: What other mistakes do you tend to see new public relations writers make?

Signature Block: Barbara is Listening

Image Credit: Created using DALL-E 3

Posted on

Where to Find AP Style Practice Quizzes

white newspaper beside teacup
Photo by Elijah O’Donnell on Pexels.com

If you’re preparing to take graded Associated Style quizzes, it would definitely benefit you to take a few practice quizzes first. Below are several sites with practice quizzes. NOTE: I have not verified that every quiz site has correct answers on all their quizzes, but this should give you a great, low-pressure start.

Try out the quizzes from:

Have you come across other sites with AP Style quizzes? Please share them in the comments.

Posted on

Crafting Professional Emails to Professors: A Practical Guide

Ever wanted to email your professor but didn’t know how to hit the right note? Fear not! Here’s a quick guide to help you sound like a pro!

1. Your Email Address Matters: Be sure to use your official university email with your name in it! It’s like your virtual business card and helps your email land safely in your professor’s inbox. (Plus, if you use a personal email address, your name might not match what shows in the course roster, which will likely cause a delay in the response.)

2. Say ‘Hi’ Like You Mean It: Start with a cheerful “Hello Professor [Last Name]” or “Dear Dr. [Last Name].” It’s friendly but still shows respect.

3. Don’t Forget the Course Deets in the Subject Line: Include the course name and number. It’s like giving your professor a roadmap to your question – super helpful!

4. Ask Away! Got questions? Don’t be shy! Make them clear and to the point, so you get the answers you need, pronto!

5. Grammar is Your New BFF: Show off your writing skills with proper punctuation and grammar. It makes your email as smooth as your favorite latte!

6. Say ‘Bye’ with Style: Wrap it up with a “Thanks a million!” or “Catch you in class!” or something that resonates with you. It keeps things friendly and upbeat.

7. Give It a Once-Over: Before you hit send, read it again. It’s like checking your reflection before heading out – you want to look your best!

TIP: Why the Course Name and Number are Your Secret Weapons ?

Professors juggle a lot of classes, so adding the course name and number is like giving them a helpful nudge in the right direction. It’s like saying, “Hey, remember me? I’m in that awesome class with you!”

Wrap It Up!

Emailing your professor doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Keep it friendly, clear, and don’t forget to sprinkle in those essential details. With these tips, you’ll be rocking those academic emails in no time!

What questions do you have about writing? Or maybe you have some tips to share?

NOTES

The framework of this article was inspired by ChatGPT. Images were created using Adobe Firefly.

Posted on

Reservations for Learning: Booking a Table at the Journal Article Café

I remember the first time I was asked (told) to use a “peer-reviewed article” in my research for a paper, I had no clue what the professor was talking about. I looked around the room, and the other students in the course were either nodding along or nodding off; no one looked confused, so I decided I wasn’t going to speak up and ask what she meant.

But I didn’t want to do poorly on the assignment, so I waited until after class and went up to ask.

Thank goodness I had a kind and caring professor who was much more interested in making sure her students learned than showing how intelligent she herself was. She told me that in general, it meant that the article came from an academic or professional journal (rather than something like a popular magazine) and that the article had gone through a rigorous review process before being published. It wasn’t just the writer and editor who decided it was good enough to print; other experts in the field provide their input. (There’s a lot more to it than that, but this was a clear enough explanation to get me started.)

When I got to the library (yes, I had to physically go to the library when I was an undergrad), I went to the periodical section and took a recent Public Relations Journal off the shelf. Flipping through the journal, I realized quickly that these articles were nothing like the ones in People or Newsweek. They were written in a much (much!) more formal way, a way that would take some serious getting used to. I pored over an article, trying to make sense of it.

Then, I had an a-ha moment.

Reading a journal article is kind of like going to a new restaurant.

Should we even go here?

Now, when we explore a journal article, we want to make sure it’s a trustworthy source. Think of it like checking out a new restaurant. We’ll look at things like the reputation of the journal (like checking online reviews), the authors’ credentials (are they renowned “chefs”?), and when the article was published (fresh ingredients or stale leftovers?). There’s not really a Yelp for academic journals, but maybe that would be a fun side gig for me. But I digress.

Read the menu

Before we dig in too deep, let’s start by giving the article a quick skim. Think of it as reading the menu to see if anything catches your eye. We’ll check out the title, abstract, and headings to get a sense of what the article is all about.

Eat dessert first

Despite what your parents and grandparents might have told you as a child, it’s 100% okay to eat dessert first, at least in terms of reading a journal article. A journal article is NOT a mystery novel. You won’t ruin anything by knowing how it ends before you start. Skip to the end of the article and read the limitations and conclusions right away to see if it supports or denies the claim you are trying to make in your own research paper. (NOTE: You will want to read articles on both sides of your claim.)

Taste the app

Now, the introduction is like the appetizer that sets the stage. We’ll find out why the authors decided to do the research, what questions they wanted to answer, and why it’s important. It’s like the first taste that gets our curiosity going. Still interested? Then . . .

Sit at the chef’s table

Time to get to the juicy parts! In the methodology section, we’ll learn how the researchers cooked up their study. We’ll look at the ingredients they used (research design), how they gathered data (like secret recipes), and how they analyzed everything. We want to make sure their approach is solid and follows the rules of the kitchen; it’s like sitting at the chef’s table in the restaurant kitchen, watching how things are prepared for the diners.

Dive into the main course

Ah, the results and discussion sections, the main course! This is where the researchers present their findings and start digging into the flavors. This is the meat of the article (see what I did there?). We’ll see charts, graphs, and analysis. Then, in the discussion, they’ll interpret those results, link them to previous research, and talk about any limitations. It’s like a chef explaining the unique flavors and how they relate to other dishes.

Try an intermezzo

At a restaurant, an intermezzo is a refreshing sip or bite of a palate cleanser between courses. Reading journal articles can be heavy. If you’re feeling like your brain is getting full, get up and walk around for five minutes or watch that TikTok that your best friend just sent you. Then get back to your table.

Savor the dessert

Finally, let’s enjoy the article’s takeaway. It’s time to indulge in our own thoughts and opinions. We’ll consider what we’ve learned, how it contributes to the field, and how it might inspire our own research or practice. And don’t forget, we’re here to discuss and debate, so feel free to spice things up with your own ideas!

Yelp it

Once you’ve finished with the article, you won’t want to forget what it was about. Take the time to make notes on the article, including all the required information for an APA citation (just in case you’ll actually use it in your research) and your own paraphrased thoughts about the article. I used to use the app EndNote to keep track of information like this — it was great when I was working on my Ph.D., as I could easily find articles I’d read for previous classes using it.

A question for you: do you remember what it was like reading your first academic journal article? What advice would you give students early in their college careers on how to read one?

NOTES

The analogy comparing reading a journal article to going to a restaurant was inspired by ChatGPT. Images were created using Adobe Firefly.

Posted on

Word Nerds Unite: 19 of William Safire’s Best Fumblerules of Grammar

Alte Underwood Schreibmaschine
Image Credit: “Alte Underwood Schreibmaschine” by Peter Mayr

When I was a college student back at Auburn University in the 1980s, my father mailed me a typewritten list he had prepared on his Underwood typewriter. This was a list of some “rules” of grammar that he thought were humorous. I agreed. (We were both word nerds.)

Though I don’t have the specific original sources for each of these, I believe that they all came from William Safire. Some of them are from his “On Language” column in the New York Times, while others are from his book Fumblerules: A Lighthearted Guide to Grammar and Good Usage. Enjoy!

  1. Help stamp out and eliminate redundancies.
  2. Don’t use no double negatives.
  3. Avoid run-on sentences they are hard to read.
  4. Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
  5. Surly grammarians insist that all words ending in “ly” are adverbs.
  6. Avoid colloquial stuff.
  7. Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
  8. Also, avoid awkward or affected alliteration.
  9. Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
  10. Use the semicolon properly, always use it where it is appropriate; and never where it isn’t.
  11. Avoid commas, that are not necessary.
  12. If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
  13. Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixed metaphors.
  14. Reserve the apostrophe for it’s proper use and omit it when its not needed.
  15. Don’t string too many prepositional phrases together unless you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
  16. Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns on their writing.
  17. A preposition is something you should never end a sentence with.
  18. Who needs rhetorical questions?
  19. Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague; use viable alternatives.
Posted on

Feature Story Packages from #COMM2423 on Noah’s Ark of Central Florida

Students in my Writing for Digital Media class wrote stories about Noah’s Ark, an organization in Lakeland that helps developmentally disabled adults and their families. Below, you will find excepts from their stories. To read the whole story, click on the story title.

Featured Stories

A Light of Hope For Parents of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities by Nick Tedeschi

Almost every parent looks ahead with mixed feelings to the point in their child’s life when they will finish school and move on to become independent young adults. However, this is not always the case, especially for those who are parents of children with developmental disabilities. These parents have to face the reality that 93% of children with disabilities will be unemployed upon leaving the public school system and most will remain unemployed for their entire life.

Jack Kosik, founder and director of Noah’s Ark, informed me of how parents with children with developmental disabilities have a neglectful mindset when it comes to their child’s future. “Many families just try to get through a day, or a week and pray that the future will take care of itself. They do not understand how challenging it becomes when an individual with a developmental disability exits the school system to a life of video games and soap operas.”

Healthy Eating Starts with a Garden by Mikelle Liette

Food shortage has been a growing concern for many Lakeland families as the economic downturn has left families scraping from the bottom of the barrel just to come up with the funds to purchase enough groceries to feed their family. According to the 2010 US Census, 14.9 % of Lakeland families fall below the poverty line.

Jack Kosik, executive director of Noah’s Ark of Central Florida, has recognized a greater concern for developmentally disabled adults. As many supportive services are being cut, community members with disabilities have been left without enough money to live independently, or to purchase healthy and nutritious foods. Noah’s Ark is a home that daily supports the developmentally disabled and assists them by educating them on important issues of guardianship, special needs trusts, and available services. In addition to the weekly array of social and recreational activities that Noah’s Ark hosts, Kosik has plans to begin a community garden….

Hope and Healing by Melanie Shoults

The green ball, flawless except for three small holes, rumbled down the lane in a swirl of color and plowed into twelve perfectly placed white pins. A cheer erupted from spectators and smatterings of high-fives were exchanged. Smiles spread from face to face, regardless of who was winning.

The cheerful group of adults appeared to be having the time of their lives with just a round of bowling. But this wasn’t just a game. As a fund-raiser for Noah’s Ark, an organization that aids in rehabilitating adults with developmental disabilities, the event was much more meaningful than that….

 

Additional Stories from COMM 2423 Class (in alpha order)

Jack Kosik’s Ark by Dean Adams

What happens when individuals with “intellectual disabilities” lose their main center of support? Their parents, what happens when their parents leave this world and leave their sons and daughters behind with no one to care for them? If only there was a facility “designed to be sensitive to the unique needs of individuals who are intellectually challenged” and for a long time there was no such place.  Before 1997 there was no such place in Florida and as well as there being no place there were some troubling facts around this time concerning those with developmental disabilities in Florida….

Noah’s Ark: Making a Difference . . . Differently by Daniel Barcelo

Noah’s Ark. An organization “committed to empowering individuals who have developmental disabilities by advocating on their behalf and by providing or facilitating choices of meaningful employment, recreational and social opportunities and affordable housing in an inclusive community of their choice.” This mission, and a personal dream of its founder, Jack Kosik are at the core of this organization….

Love of a Mother by Laurita Carranza

A young adult, full of energy, with so much shine to give, but yet no one notices him. This is exactly what occurs with individuals who have developmental disabilities. These individuals are all around us. They might be the one that shops at the same store you do, at the restaurant you go, and might even sits right next to you in your favorite class. You won’t notice because all you care is who you are seen with. Do me a big favor and say hi to these individuals when you see them, don’t ignore them like if they don’t exist….

Will You Help Build the Ark? by Liz Colburn

What is Noah’s Ark?  Yes, it is a big boat built by Noah back in Bible times to avoid a world wide flood – but – that is not the Noah’s Ark I am talking about.  Noah’s Ark is a living facility based in Lakeland, Florida that houses special needs adults.  The purpose for Noah’s Ark is so that parents who can either no longer physically take care of their adult children or can not take care of them for other reasons, live in peace by knowing their children are being cared for….

The Past, Present and Future of Noah’s Ark by Annalee Cole

Imagine being the parent of a mentally disabled child. Now imagine growing old and knowing that one day you must part ways with them. Where does the future of your child lie when all they know is you? …

Noah’s Arc by Tara Duffy

There is a blind spot in the Americans eyes. While most people in this world can walk around not seeing the problems, some people Like Jack Kosik see the blind spot and actively try to fix it…

The Ark Has Arrived by Johny Fernandez

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be young and not be able to move out of your parent’s house? Many young adults with developmental disabilities also desire to grow independently but cannot. Living with a developmental disability not only limits living life normally but also, for many, may create an internal isolation from the world. For parents dealing with this situation, many of them cannot live comfortably knowing that their child may never grow independently….

Noah’s Ark: Changing the Lives of Lakeland Families One by One by Taylor Flumerfelt

In 1996, five families began the search for a facility whose mission is to take care of developmentally challenged people after which they could create their own organization. These five families did not want to only give back to the community; they were worried about the future of their developmentally challenged children. What would happen to their children after they passed away? The answer to this question was unclear and they sought to answer it through researching the many services available all over the country…

Noah’s Ark Encourages Residents to Live, Laugh, Love–and Get Active by Amanda Furmage

Just over four years ago, Jeff Albro began his journey for freedom and independence. His developmental disability would no longer prevent him from fulfilling his dreams. Yet his new life soon came to an abrupt, unexpected halt. After a few months of living autonomously in a Plant City public housing project, Albro was beaten and robbed—an experience that left his body bloody, broken and bruised. However, the severe emotional distress that resulted from the incident affected Albro more than the temporary physical damage.

Bringing Unity to the Community by Sarah Hassani

Elvis entered the doors of the Lakeland Harbor Community Clubhouse on September 5, 2011 to perform some of his top hits and the crowd went wild! The music was loud, the dancing was groovy, and the food was finger lickin’ good. 84 people witnessed this night unfold but were you one of them?

This 50’s sock hop event is one of the many events hosted by Noah’s Ark, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering those with developmental disabilities. Among many things, they provide a housing residence and assist the disabled in finding employment and every month they provide opportunities for the community to get involved by participating in their events….

Jack Kosik Seeks to Build Noah’s Ark by Tiana Holding

Most people know the story of Noah from the Bible, even if they’ve never read it. Movies likeEvan Almighty give it a modern-day twist. In the Bible, Noah is commanded by God to build an ark. He was to build an ark as a place of safe refuge for him, his family, and 2 of every kind of animal on the Earth. Noah’s Ark was a way to start over.

Today, Noah’s Ark is a place of safe refuge for people with developmental disabilities. It is a place to start over, a community for people with disabilities to live together, yet on their own.

Parent of Disabled Individual Finds Hope Through Local Organization by Rachel LaFlam

It is the first time in his life that 81-year-old Lee McClure is able to enjoy empty-nest syndrome. Lee sits on his back porch in Lakeland, Fla. and can now enjoy his old age, knowing that everything is taken care of—everything meaning his 51-year-old mentally challenged son, Neal.

In the Arms of Love by Naida Lindberg

It all began with a story. The story of Noah’s Ark is not that of a flood, nor of animals but rather a daughter. This story would change the lives in more ways then one. What about Jack and the parents of those who spend nights wondering what will happen to their children after they have gone? There is hope in this story. This is their story. In 1997, Joanne and Hank Warnock enrolled their son into Noah’s Ark. Having never seen a program like Noah’s Ark it seemed like an answer of prayer. This however, is not just the story of Noah’s Ark but it is about a loving family….

Noah’s Ark by Chelsey Lynn

Noah’s Art is a unique place.  Its a place where one can find some peace, some belonging.  Noah’s ark is an organization that is committed to empowering individuals who have developmental disabilities by advocating on their behalf and by providing or facilitating choices of meaningful employment, recreational and social opportunities and affordable housing in an inclusive community of their choice.

Lee McClure is a parent who took an extraordinary step for independence for his son, Neal.  He reached out to Noah’s Ark in hopes for his son to live there, with more freedom and independence, knowing that he would be taken care of if anything were to happen to him….

An Unfinished Home by Emily Meade

“Home. It’s more than a place to rest your head. It is at home where we are free to be our truest self. It’s a soft place to fall when the world gets too hard. It’s where we build memories and live out the small details that make up a life. It’s where we store our treasures, read a book, take a nap and talk with friends. Our home, wherever that may be, is an extension of our inner self. The picture is often quite different for people with disabilities. For those with disabilities home can mean no choice, crowded and unpleasant conditions, unfair treatment, no privacy and no personal connection to the place where they are forced to live.”

Fortunately, because of one man’s determination and passion, individuals who are intellectually disabled do not face that challenge. Fourteen years ago marks the beginning of the journey Jack Kosik embarked on into the unknown. Upon adopting a baby girl who was later found with developmental disabilities, Jack sought to find a place where his daughter, Brittany, could reside once he could no longer support her needs sufficiently. Just as every other parent in that similar situation, they find few comfortable options that are available and if so, the wait lists are high in numbers….

Why Noah’s Ark by Elizabeth Telg

When you think of Noah’s Ark what comes to mind? A big boat? Lots of animals? A big rainbow? Well there’s a new Noah’s Ark that doesn’t involve wiping out all of mankind. Noah’s Ark of Central Florida is a unique living facility that houses special needs adults. But why would one get involved? …

Posted on

The ABCs of Writing for Digital Media from #COMM2423 Class

My Southeastern University class created this list of 26 things people should know about writing for digital media. Some focused on writing for digital media in general, while others focused on succeeding in her class of the same name. (Note: A couple of the letters are missing, as Twitter is being a wee bit wonky this morning. I will do my best to add in D and M as soon as I can.)

What other tips would YOU add to this list?

Posted on

Getting a Jumpstart on Prof. Nixon’s Fall 2011 Classes

Image Credit: "Maple Leaf Structure" by Steve Jurvetson

If you’re looking to get a jumpstart on my classes this fall, here are the books and other required resources that we will be using. I’ve linked to many of them at Amazon.com, but of course you can purchase them from anywhere you like. I recommend you try the Facebook Marketplace first, so you can get a good deal AND help a fellow student.

Public Relations Applications (COMM 2322)

Writing for Digital Media (COMM 2423)


Questions? As always,

(PS: Syllabi for my classes will be posted in mid-August.)


Posted on

Writing a Public Service Announcement

Echoes From Another Time by drp.One way that nonprofit and government associations get the word out is through public service announcements.

For our PR Writing class, create a 30-second public service announcement or radio news release for your client. (If you have a nonprofit or gov’t client, write a PSA. If you have a for-profit client, write a radio news release.) Review the information in Chapter 9, especially pages 208-222 for tips on how to write.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Thirty seconds is not very long, approximately 75 words. You’ll need to get to the point quickly.
  • You’re writing information that will be spoken, not read silently. There’s a BIG difference between the two. Ask a friend or two to read your PSA or radio news release aloud. Edit and adjust as needed.
  • Write conversationally.
  • Use the same standard header that you have used on previous news release assignments (for contact information, etc.)
  • Feel free to write on the same topic as you have in previous releases, as long as the topic can fit this assignment.

Additional resources: