Media Skills 2014: Week 6

Media Skills 2014!Week 6: Writing Media Releases !

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Dr Kane Hopkins

Active vs Passive Voice

Active The man must have eaten five hamburgers

subject verb object

Passive Five hamburgers must have been eaten by the man

subject verb object

Who Is What media release structure?

Who whatis

subject verb object

And don’t forget…

• Inverted triangle !– Three sections!

1. Lead!2. Support lead (quotes, details etc)!3. Anything else!

• Include who, what, when and where in the lead!• 20 words max per sentence

Lead example

Wanganui Immortalises Running Great !

Wanganui will honour running legend Sir Peter Snell this Friday, by unveiling a statue to commemorate breaking the world one-mile record at Cooks Gardens. !

The life-sized bronze statue depicts Sir Peter in full running action and is situated to overlook the finish line where he broke the record in 1962.

Break it down

• Who: The town of Wanganui !• What: Unveiling a statue!• Where: Cooks Gardens!• When: Friday

Who is what

Wanganui

Sir Peter Snell

will honoursubject

verb

object

Example

Wanganui Immortalises Running Great !

Wanganui will honour running legend Sir Peter Snell this Friday, by unveiling a statue to commemorate breaking the world one-mile record at Cooks Gardens. !

The life-sized bronze statue depicts Sir Peter in full running action and is situated to overlook the finish line where he broke the record in 1962.

24 words

26 words

Lead example

Wanganui Immortalises Running Great !

Wanganui will honour Sir Peter Snell by unveiling a statue to commemorate breaking the world one-mile record at Cooks Gardens this Friday. !

The life-sized bronze statue depicts Sir Peter in full running action and is situated to overlook the finish line.

Supports the lead

Wanganui Mayor, Annette Main, believes that the statue not only remembers a great moment in New Zealand sport, but it is a symbol of determination. !“Sir Peter’s is a truly great New Zealander. His story is one of triumph and it shows that anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it. I hope future generations see this statue and use it as motivation to achieve their goals”, said Ms Main.!Sir Peter, who is a triple Olympic gold medallist, said he was flattered when told of Wanganui's intention to construct a statue of him.!“This really is a great honour and something that is meaningful to me. Wanganui has always held great memories for me and it has a special place in my heart”, said Sir Peter. “It nice to think that my athletics career is still remembered 40 years later and has inspired young runners. That is very humbling”.

Two and two

Wanganui Mayor, Annette Main, believes that the statue not only remembers a great moment in New Zealand sport, but it is a symbol of determination. !“Sir Peter’s is a truly great New Zealander. His story is one of triumph and it shows that anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it. I hope future generations see this statue and use it as motivation to achieve their goals”, said Ms Main.!Sir Peter, who is a triple Olympic gold medallist, said he was flattered when told of Wanganui's intention to construct a statue of him.!“This really is a great honour and something that is meaningful to me. Wanganui has always held great memories for me and it has a special place in my heart”, said Sir Peter. “It nice to think that my athletics career is still remembered 40 years later and has inspired young runners. That is very humbling”.

Indirect quote

Direct quote

Indirect quote

Direct quote

Who is what

Wanganui Mayor, Annette Main

a symbol of determination

believessubject

verb

object

Other stuff

The ceremony will begin at 1pm and the Mayor will host a dinner in honour of Sir Peter in the evening.

As the leader in world youth travel, Topdeck Travel have kicked it up a notch with today’s release of the first-ever Europe 2015 preview brochure. In a move that will surprise-and-delight both travel agents and keen-bean explorers, the release sees 22 of the most popular Topdeck European trips go to market ahead of the full release of all itineraries.