|  | | Writing a News Release | | News releases are used to provide newsworthy information to newspapers, television stations, radio stations, Web sites and specialty publications.
The majority of news releases about the Saint Paul Public Schools will be written and released by the Office of Community Relations. However, there are instances, such as events or staff awards announcements, when individual schools should issue their own releases.
If you have questions about whether your school should issue a release, please contact the Office of Community Relations at (651) 767-8110.
What is a news release?
A news release can be an effective tool for communicating with the media. However, the media expect news releases to include worthwhile information and be brief, clear and free of grammatical errors. A well-written news release should read like a brief article in a newspaper.
What information should be included in a news release?
In general, news releases should answer the questions of who, what, when, where and why and how in the first two or three paragraphs.
• Who is involved?
• What are they doing that is newsworthy?
• When will/did it take place?
• Where will/did it happen? (Don't forget specific addresses.)
• Why will/did it happen?
• How will/did it happen?
How is a news release written?
In general, well-written news releases should read like a brief article from a newspaper:
• Keep it short. News releases should include short sentences and paragraphs and be no longer than one page.
• Write like a reporter. News releases should include the most important information at the top and be written using AP Style.
• Make it official. School news releases should be printed on school letterhead that includes the Saint Paul Public Schools logo.
• The following should appear at the top of the release:
- The name and phone number of a contact person
- The words "News Release"
- The words "For Immediate Release"
- The date
• News releases begin with a headline that appears in 14-point type (Times New Roman) at the top of the page.
• Text in the body should be written in 12-point type (Times New Roman).
• Paragraphs should be aligned to the left.
• Double space between paragraphs.
• Line spacing should be set at 1.5.
• To signal the end of a news release, center three number symbols (###) at the bottom of the page.
• Include the Saint Paul Public Schools Web site address (www.SPPS.org ) at the bottom of the page.
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