# Presentation: 194318

## Writing 101 – The Basics

- Effective Writing
- Feature Stories
- and
- Press Releases

**Notes:**
The purpose of this presentation is to cover the basics of effective writing, writing feature stories, and writing press releases.

## Keys to Effective Writing

**Use a language your audience understands**.
- AP Style Book & Libel Manual (A reporter’s “Bible.”) Available at college bookstores or from AP.
- Read stories from outlets in which you want to get published (like Civil Air Patrol News) to get an idea of what stories they tend to publish and how they like them written.
- Avoid using jargon or acronyms (ELT, SAR, etc.) with which others are not familiar (unless you explain them.)
- Write like you write – not like you talk. (There is a difference.)

## Keys to Effective Writing

**Get the most important information out first**.
**Five** “**W**s:”
- Who
- What
- Where
- When
- Why
**And** (if appropriate) **a** “**H**”:
- How

## Keys to Effective Writing

**Inverted Pyramid:**
- Most important info first.
- Facts follow in _**descending**_ order of importance.
- Print outlets have limited space.
- Editors cut from the bottom.

## Keys to Effective Writing

_**Quality**_ – not quantity – of words.
**Economy of words**.
- “Spend your words like you spend your money.”
- Be frugal with your words.
- Don’t use three-dollar words when a dime word will do.

## Helpful Hints

**Numbers**:
- Generally, you should spell out single-digit numbers
- You can use the actual numbers for 10 and higher.
- Never start a sentence with an actual number. (i.e: “10 CAP squadrons participated in the mission.”) Alter your sentence if need be. (i.e. “A total of 10 CAP squadrons participated in the mission.”)

## Helpful Hints

- Contractions:
- Use sparingly if possible.
- Ensure they are used properly.
- “It’s” means “It is.” “It’s time to do something.”
- “Its” means “Belonging to.” “Its primary functions are Search and Rescue, Aerospace Education and a Cadet Program.”

## Before Sending / Submitting

- Spell Check (Correct misspelled words.)
- Proof Read (Ensure correct words used)
- Ewe Can Bee A Reel Good Writer Sum Day!
- Every word above is correctly spelled, but most are incorrectly used.
- Pre-Edit / Re-write (if necessary.)
- If time permits, let others read your story to ensure it **ACTUALLY** says what you **THINK** it says.
- Appropriate to the medium.
- Broadcast (Radio/Television)
- Print (Newspaper/Magazine)

- This may sound weird, but you can identify different types (tenses) of writing by using movies as an analogy.
- You’ll need to modify your writing style to match the type.

- Hurray for Hollywood!

## Coming Attractions (Previews)
Tells what WILL happen. Generally Future tense.
Example: IACE visitors, upcoming award presentation.
Now Showing! 
Tells what IS happening. Generally Present tense.
Example: ES missions.
Reviews
Tells what HAS happened. Generally Past tense
Example: Spaatz Award presented.

- Tells what _**WILL**_ happen. Generally Future tense.
- Example: IACE visitors, upcoming award presentation.
**Now Showing**!
- Tells what _**IS**_ happening. Generally Present tense.
- Example: ES missions.
**Reviews**
- Tells what _**HAS**_ happened. Generally Past tense
- Example: Spaatz Award presented.

- Let's go to the Movies!

## Feature Stories

**Usually written after the fact** (Reviews)
_**Past**_ tense vs. _Present_ or _Future_ tense.
**Contain more detailed information**.
**Usually longer in length**.
- Press Releases: One page ideal – two pages maximum.
- Feature stories: Long enough to tell the story, but no longer than necessary.
- Editors can tell you how many words they need/want.

## Press Releases

- Primary tool of a PAO in getting the word out.
- Generally one page in length. (But they can be up to two pages if need be – but no longer.)
- Give reader(s) enough info to know what’s going on but not everything.
- Leave some info for the reporter to discover.
- Standard items in the format for a press release.

## Header: Identifies Your Organization
Unit (Wing, Squadron) Logo and Address at minimum.
For Immediate Release:
Release Date: Month, Date, Year format
Contact Info: How to get in touch with you.
Home Phone
Cell Phone
Pager
E-mail, etc.

- Unit (Wing, Squadron) Logo and Address at minimum.
**For Immediate Release**:
**Release Date**: Month, Date, Year format
**Contact Info**: How to get in touch with _**you**_.
- Home Phone
- Cell Phone
- Pager
- E-mail, etc.

- Press Releases

## Headline:
Gives reader (usually an assignment editor) an idea of what the release (story) is about. 
Dateline:
Tells location of the event.
City, State (Especially important during missions that involve multi-wing searches.)
Main Paragraph:
Contains most important facts.
Opening sentence(s) need(s) to make reader want to continue reading. If it doesn’t, they won’t.

- Gives reader (usually an assignment editor) an idea of what the release (story) is about.
**Dateline**:
- Tells location of the event.
- City, State (Especially important during missions that involve multi-wing searches.)
**Main Paragraph**:
- Contains most important facts.
- Opening sentence(s) need(s) to make reader want to continue reading. If it doesn’t, they won’t.

- Press Releases

## Second Paragraph:
Slightly less important facts.
Add a quote (from commander or MC) if possible.
Other paragraphs:
Facts in descending order of importance.
Tag Line:
Tells what CAP is about. One or two sentences.
End:
“-- 30 --” or “##”

- Slightly less important facts.
- Add a quote (from commander or MC) if possible.
**Other paragraphs**:
- Facts in descending order of importance.
**Tag Line**:
- Tells what CAP is about. One or two sentences.
**End**:
- “-- 30 --” or “##”

- Press Releases

## Summary

- Write in a language your audience will understand.
- When appropriate – tailor your writing to the format of the outlet. (Print vs. broadcast. Radio vs. TV.)
- Use the tense that is appropriate to the story.
- Put most important info first.
- Five Ws / H when appropriate.
- Inverted Pyramid

## Summary

- Don’t expect the editor to do all your work for you.
- Spell Check. Ensure all words are _**spelled**_ correctly.
- Proofread. Ensure all words are _**used**_ correctly.
- Pre-edit / Re-write if necessary
- Let others view your work (when possible.)
- The _harder_ you make an editor’s job... the _LESS_ likely they will be to print your story.

## -- 30 --

- Questions?