The NewsWriter

Following an emergency event, information can be as vital as food, water, and shelter. An effective and important method for communicating with the news media is the news release.

The NewsWriter is an interactive training course that allows users to work at their own speed to improve their writing skills. Each “chapter” begins with a topic discussion that includes advice from experts in journalism and media relations, followed by a series of activities so users can try out new skills or brush up on old ones.

The workbook covers practical considerations involved in writing a news release, such as structure, tone, and content, as well as other factors that can determine effectiveness, like deadlines and dissemination. The course also provides resources helpful to the application of public information skills and techniques in a real-world situation.

Inside The NewsWriter:

• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Inside the Newsroom
• Chapter 2: Matters of Style
• Chapter 3: Properties of a News Release
• Chapter 4: Organizing Information
• Chapter 5: Elements of a News Release
• Chapter 6: Now What?
• Chapter 7: Other Skills
• Glossary of Media Terms
• Acronyms & Abbreviations
• Writers’ Resources

The NewsWriter has something for everyone—from seasoned writers to those just learning how to write for the public. The program is easy to use and does not require technical knowledge. All that is needed is a computer that runs Adobe Acrobat Reader.