Subject: Methodology of teaching English Theme: Written press The Aim of the Lesson

5. Get to the point. A well-crafted press release will have no more than 400 words. Use the first paragraph to tell the audience about the upcoming event. Use the second paragraph to summarize how the event will be helpful for your target audience. Include a third paragraph providing your contact information, and bid adieu. You can make it longer if you have additional relevant information to share — but don’t make it longer than five paragraphs. Use short sentences and write in an active voice. If you want to get chatty, do it when people show up to your event.
6. Use proper punctuation. Listen, grammar matters. Too many people rely on spell-check — or straight out fail to proofread a statement — at the expense of their own credibility. You only have one chance to make a good first impression. Don’t botch it over something that’s so easily preventable — especially when you’re targeting an educated audience.
What is a news release?
Even though journalists publish press releases sent to them by individual companies, the bread and butter of their work is to write news articles — a written statement discussing current events. They research the background facts, interview individuals involved, eyewitnesses, and experts on the subject, and relay the facts.
As opposed to press releases — which are marketing tools announcing an upcoming event — news releases can be about any topic a community would find relevant or newsworthy. They could be based on politics, heartwarming stories of good samaritans, crime, or scandals — to name a few. Their purpose is to inform readers about what’s happening around them in an objective manner. They answer five basic questions:

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  What happened?
  
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  When did it happen?
  
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  Who was involved?
  
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  Where did it happen?
  
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  Why did it happen?
  

To keep the reader’s attention, know your audience — their age, geographical location, income bracket, education, and interests. News outlets that target Millennials tend to use a different format than those targeting Baby Boomers — especially when it comes to politics.
Homework
Students will make presentations about press.