University School of Business

Subject Name: Professional Communication

Skills
Subject Code: 23PCH-106

MEDIA WRITING-PRESS NOTE DISCOVER . LEARN . EMPOWER

 COURSE OBJECTIVES
The Course aims to:
Stress on students awareness of interpersonal communication skills and
appropriate usage of verbal and non-verbal expression in social and
1 professional environment.

Prepare the student for discourse in English, using a number of

2 communication strategies.

Introduce them to key concepts of Morality, Diversity & Inclusion

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Provide foundations for the placement process of the student.
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 COURSE
OUTCOMES
On completion, the students are expected to
CO Title Level
Number

Display moral values, ethics and sensitivity for

CO1 Apply
diversity and inclusion.

CO2 Perform effectively in the placement process. Apply

Analyse and summarize information, ideas and

CO3 opinions on a social issue using grammatically Analyse
correct English.
Evaluate facts to write research and short
CO4 Evaluate
official, technical or social reports.
Create communication material for an
organization dedicated to a social cause and
CO5 Create
use electronic/social media to share concepts
and ideas.

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 Media Writing-Press Note
• Introduction.
• Definition of a press note.
• Characteristics.
• Press note vs. Press release.
• Functions of a press note.
• Format and Structure of a press
note.
• Style in a press note (Writing
guides).
http://clipart-library.com/ 4
 Media Writings
• Writing for the Media provides guidelines for writing news and
features for newspapers and magazines, and writing for the
Web. Broadly, the writing process is divided into four stages:
• Conception,
• Collection of information,
• Construction of stories,
• Correction or editing.

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 Definition of Press Note
• Press Note is an official statement delivered to news media for
publication in newspaper to update information.
• It is an account of government view point issued on special or
urgent occasions and not meant for internal circulation.
• The Media has no liberty to make changes in it either in content
or language.
• It is brief, simple and concisely written in policy frame work of
the government.
• It usually includes themes like education and human resources,
teaching and research, economics, politics, health and the
environment. 6
 Characteristics of a Press Note
• Relevance- It conveys fresh information to public through print media.
• Precision – The writer should be very clear about the exact purpose of
the report.
• Recommendation- It is completely different from an advertisement and
without any self interest.
• Accurate- It should use simple language that is concise, concrete and
grammatically correct.
• Reader oriented- Press note covers the five W's; who, what, why,
where, and when.
• Format- Press note should be written in standard format and structure .

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 Press Note Is Not a Press
Release

Press note -There is subtle difference between press note and

note release. Press note is written by government officials or
government organizations when they have to update any
information. All the information is given to media for publication in
newspapers.
Press release –It is written by any company, organization and
individual and is delivered to the press in a hope that they will
publish in newspapers. It is generally used for new and fresh
information.
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 Functions of a Press Note
All that excites you need not be a news.
• The primary function of a press release/note is to quickly
publicize information that may have a significant impact.
• To recommend specific action.
• To justify and persuade readers about the need for action in
controversial situations.
• To give information about a company’s activity, progress, plans
and problems.
• A press statement is utilized for a reactionary statement.

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 Poll Question 1
Q. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a press
note?

1. It is an account of government view point issued on special or

urgent occasions.
2. It conveys fresh information to public through print media.
3. is written by government officials or government organizations
when they have to update any information.
4. It is communicated within the organization.

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Format of Press Note

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Sample Press Note

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 Structure of a Press Note
All press notes are structured in a standard format where
information is presented in an inverted pyramid, flows in descending
order, from the most important to the least.
• A precise and short “headline’’ is followed by a “lead paragraph’’
containing essence of the news and the first sentence should
grab or hook the reporter.
• The succeeding paragraphs would make the body of the press
note by adding supporting information .
• Ending of the press note is followed by underlying general
information.

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 Inverted Pyramid Style
• Make sure your press note should be written in Inverted
Journalistic Pyramid style.

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 Poll Question 2
Q. Choose the correct sequence of information to be written
in a press note according to the Inverted Pyramid Style:
1. The buses will be operated with 50% occupancy keeping in
view social distancing norms.
2. Chandigarh Transport Undertaking is going to start long route
operation in Punjab and Haryana w.e.f. 10 th of June, 2020
onwards.
3. The tickets can be bought online on CTU web site
“http://ctuonline.chd.gov.in” or through mobile app “CTU Musafir”
available on Play Store.
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 Style Guidelines for Writing an
Effective Press Note
• Use short and telling headings.
E.g. “CU lifts overall trophy in National Youth Festival 2020’’.
• State the facts.
Avoid being vague and tell truth only.
• Avoid strong expressions.
Exaggerations, embellishments and fluff.
• Keep it simple.
Avoid complicated grammatical constructions.

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 Guidelines of Writing a Press
Note
• Be specific
Time and space can not be vague. For example, instead of
using here ,today, yesterday ,use proper date and place.
• Avoid technical jargons.
• Avoid personal pronouns
I, we and you.
• Use active voice
Avoid passive voice .For instance- ‘’The PM Modi gave the
speech’’.
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 Common Press Note Mistakes
• All upper case characters (even the headline should be proper
case).
• Make sure all the sentences wrap naturally.
• Make sure first paragraph should include the result of the
content so that further paragraphs support the information.
• It should not look like an advertisement.
• Press note should include more than one paragraph.
• Check grammatical errors before you send to media.
• Never use personal email id in body paragraphs.
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 Summary
• In this tutorial, we have studied the definition of press note in
media writings.
• Press note and press release have subtle difference.
• We discussed its characteristics and functions .
• With the help of diagram, structure of press note is discussed.
• In the end, guidelines for writing effective press note have been
discussed to avoid common errors.

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 Applications
• Students will be able to write press notes
• It will help them improve their writing skills.
• They will be able to use professional language.

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 Assessment Pattern
Students are assessed on the basis of the following
parameters:
• Hourly Tests - 2
• Assignments
• Surprise Test
• Quiz
• Student Engagement
• End Semester Exam

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 References
Books:
Cappon, Rene J. : The Associated Press Guide to News Writing
Websites:
• http://14.139.185.6/website/SDE/sde67.pdf
• https://www.docsity.com/en/press-release-press-note-press-ma
ss-communication-handout/84909//

• https://youtu.be/Rk0hicdMBgQ

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THANK YOU

For queries
Email: communicationskills.uilah@gmail.com