Welcome to the Press Release and Media Writing Course at NZ Writers' College.
This online course gives you all the tools you need to write press releases that will deliver the correct information in the correct way. Everything from understanding your target audience to choosing the right style, dealing with responses and becoming a freelance writer
Course Details:
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Course fee: $795.00 GST inclusive
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Modules: 6 Modules
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Duration: Course can be completed at own pace: between six and twelve months
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Start date: At any time; applications all year round via our website
Student must complete:
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5 writing exercises (for assessment and feedback)
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2 press releases suitable for issue
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1 letter of introduction
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1 photocall invitation
Admission Requirements:
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Basic writing skills are essential
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Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required
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No previous tertiary qualification required
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There is a skype session option available for this course. More.... |
Tutor for this course : Fiona Walsh
Course Curriculum
Module 1 - Getting started
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Overview of the publicity field
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What is a press release?
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Who are you writing for?
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What’s the angle?
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Exercise 1 – identifying target media and news angles for a press release (for feedback and assessment)
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Module 2 -
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Finding the right style
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The Inverted Pyramid
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The opening paragraph
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Five W’s (& an H)
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Exercises 2 & 3 - using the Five W’s (& an H) model to draft an introductory paragraph (for feedback and assessment)
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Module 3 -
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Paragraph two
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Using titles
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Incorporating quotes
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Exercises 4 & 5 – drafting a second paragraph and incorporating quotes into your release (for feedback and assessment)
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Module 4 -
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The closing paragraph
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Headlines and footnotes
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Layout
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Less is more - edit, edit and edit again
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The importance of credibility
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Proof reading & fact checking
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Press release 1 – using the key building blocks to draft your own press release (for feedback and assessment)
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Module 5 -
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Issuing your press release
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Adapting your press release
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What happens next? be prepared.
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Press release 2 – adapting your press release to suit a variety of media
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Introductory letter – drafting a brief letter or email to accompany your release (both exercises for feedback and assessment)
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Module 6-
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Images vs. photocalls
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Building up a strong portfolio
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Looking for work
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Freelance vs in-house PR
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Charging for work
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Photocall notice – drafting a photocall notice for picture desks (for feedback and assessment)
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How does the course work?
Detailed class notes covering the content of each module are e-mailed to students. At the end of each module, students will be required to complete one or two writing exercises. In total, the course includes five short writing assignments, all of which count towards the final result of the student. Students must also produce one photocall invitation (100 words approx.) and two press releases (450 words approx. each).
Once the writing assignment has been completed, and e-mailed to the lecturer, an assessment and feedback will be sent to the student, and the module will be considered complete.
Conditions of Certification:
Students will receive an NZ Writers' College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided they meet the following conditions:
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Students must have completed all 9 assignments (namely: 5 writing exercises, 2 press releases, 1 introductory letter, 1 photocall invitation)
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Students must have attained a minimum of 50% for both press releases
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The course must have been completed within twelve months of registration.
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Students are expected to attain a minimum average of 50% for the course
Minimum Estimated Time Commitment:
The minimum time required to benefit from the course is roughly:
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Reading time: 6 hours
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Writing time: up to 15 hours
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Research time: up to 3 hours
