The easiest way to learn how to write a hews release is to study newspaper reports. You should observehow they are written because there is a special technique.The following two important characteristics will be apparentfrom reading newspapers: • The subject is mentionedin the opening words.In a release the subject is rarelythe name of the organisation but what the organisation is doing. For example, 'A new route to Japan has
Simple _
identification heading in colour
Brief identification-of story
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Allsuccedingpara--graphsindented
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Clear information without excessive display
been introduced by British Airways' rather than 'British Airways have introduced to a new route to Japan'. • The opening paragraphis a summary of the whole story, and if no more was printed this single paragraphwould tell the whole story.
Busy editors say they have 'one moment in which to acceptor rejecta news release. They receive hundreds daily. The first paragraph can make all the differencebetween acceptance and the waste-paper bin.