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Writing News and Press Releases


Adult Programs / Professional Development -
Adult Online Professional & Personal Development Wtr/Spr 2025

Being able to write a good news story, press release or publicity notice is a skill that can set you apart in the workplace. Getting the word out is an essential activity for every organization. Acquire the skills good journalists have and learn how to craft a news story, press release or publicity notice that will get attention.

This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Business Writing. 

Class Details

Unit 1: The Skills good journalists have
  • What journalists know how to do
  • How to think like your audience
  • Kinds of publicity notices
  • Keys to successful publicity notices
Unit 2: Writing a good news story
  • The inverted pyramid
  • The 5 Ws and H
  • How not to bury the lead
  • Writing a good headline for your story
Unit 3: Creating the Successful Press Release
  • The press release format
  • Quotes, how many to use, who to quote and how
  • How and where to highlight your organization and contact
  • Avoiding the direct sales pitch
Unit 4: Distributing Your Press Release
  • Targeting media, journalists and audiences
  • Email press releases
  • Print press releases
  • Getting attention 

For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

William A Draves

LERN Instructor

William A. Draves is one of the foremost authorities in the world on teaching online. More than 6,000 faculty and teachers have taken this course. He did his graduate work in education, with an emphasis on adult education, from The George Washington University in Washington DC.

Draves has taught for over thirty years, including teaching at the graduate level. His books include "How to Teach Adults," the most popular book ever written on the subject, and "Energizing the Learning Environment."

He has been interviewed by Wired.com, The New York Times, NPR, NBC Nightly News, Washington Post, Virtual University News, Chronicle of Higher Education and other national media.

Draves is author of the book, "Advanced Teaching Online," which is used as the text book for this course. This course is part of the Certified Online Instructor (COI) designation, the most recognized certification for online teaching in higher education.

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WLCERT09C1

  Learning Resources Network, Inc , William A Draves


Virtual Class
Sun-Sat, Apr 7 - May 2
12:01 AM - 11:59 PM

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$ 195.00
single course