Press Release

Designed by: Mary H. Harris. Hopkins Middle School

1) CORE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVE(S): Write various types of compositions (journals, letters, essays, reports, poetry, stories, and plays, scripts). (6-WA-4) (PACT:1V.E)

Grade Level: Sixth       Subject(s): Language Arts/Reading

2) OVERVIEW: Students will use a variety of Language Arts/Reading skills to publish a press release. The press release will cover a major event in the school year. The information must be informative and include all-important details (who, what, when, where, why, and how).

3) PURPOSE/ESSENTIAL QUESTION (S):     How and why are press
releases written?

4) TIME FRAME: FOUR FIFTY MINUTE CLASSES

5) RESOURCES:

http://www.abcnews.com

http://www.cbsnews.com

http://www.msnbc.com

http://www.ja.org/press/results.html

NEWSPAPERS

MAGAZINES

 Sample interview questions

Press Release Revision Checklist

Press Release Rubric

Sample Press Releases

6) ASSESSMENT: The students will write a press release about a major event in the school. Criteria: must include the history of the event, cost to spectators, interviews, place and time of the event, an attention-getting headline, and a logo for the event. A rubric is provided.

7) INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:

1. Teacher will describe the function of a press release.

2.Teacher will distribute samples of press releases to the class.  Also, students may read sample press releases at any of the following sites: http://www.abcnews.com, http://www.msnbc.com. http://www.cbsnews.com.

3.Press-release rubric will be given to the students and any questions answered by the teacher

STEP ONE: RESEARCH SKILLS:

1. During this stage of the lesson, the goal is for the students to become the “expert” on the topic.

2.The students will decide which event they want to research.

The teacher should provide students with a list of school events from which students can select.  For example, school pageant, intramurals, football, basketball, volleyball, school book fair, field day, grade level assembly, special presentations, assemblies, field trips, school- wide charity events, a school wide service learning project, band concert, dance recital, drama production, etc.

3.Students will research all the pertinent facts: the project’s history, planning, vendors,  cost to spectators, sponsors, time, place, purpose, who’s involved, why the activity is taking place, etc.

4.Students may use a variety of references to gather the key facts about a project. (school personnel, students, participants, and previous information from past events).

5.Students will interview key personnel to get all the facts and some striking quotations.

6.Students will write their interview questions in advance. (See Attachment.)

(Students should assume the reader’s position and design specific questions-the kind that will elicit answers you would be interested in reading.)

7.Students will collect as much information as possible about the school event.

8.Teacher will monitor the student’s progress throughout the activity.

STEP TWO: DESIGN PLAN

1.In pairs, the students will practice writing an attention-getting headline and stating the key information, called”the lead,” in the first few sentences.

2.Students will be given a press release revision checklist to evaluate a peer’s writing. (See Attachment.)

Note: Students should keep in mind all the various audiences-students, teachers, administrators, parents, other schools and communities.

Optional: In pairs, the students should design a logo and a graphic for the press release.  Students may use the various reference tools to locate a graphic that demonstrates the primary point of the press release or create one on the computer.

STEP THREE: COMPOSE/REVISE/RELEASE

1.Students will compose a draft of the press release.

2.In pairs the students will complete the revision checklist. (See Attachment.)

3.Students will write the final draft.

4. Press release could be sent to a local newspaper, a local television or radio station, school magazine, community bulletin, and/or published on-the school web page.

Interview

Write out the questions you will ask the person you will be interviewing.  Then conduct your interview and record your notes here with the questions.

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WRITE ALL PERTINENT FACTS.

 (A signature verifies that all copyright laws have been observed.)