Writing a blog proved to be an effective early assignment in our Writing for PR course. Mimicking Buzzfeed's listicle style seemed to help our writers to organize thoughts into distinct points. The strongest submissions all used authoritative sources as well as specific examples to support their lessons learned. I made seven conclusions after reading and editing 21 blogs! #1: AP Style. You have to master pages 64-70 in our “Pathways” text. AP Style errors in your blogs included improper date/time, periods inside quotation marks, its vs. it’s, and wrong words (their vs. there.) Surprise: you CAN use a number in a headline. AP Style dictates that you spell out all numbers under 10. However, numbers should be used in headlines. #2: Avoid cliches. Be precise. “…outside of your comfort zone” is an overused cliché when describing lessons learned. More than half of your blogs used this phrase, and in some cases, more than once in the piece. Yes, it does communicate that feeling but tended to sound a little trite? #3 Credit photos: Do not get in the habit of just copying and pasting in an image you find online. DO get in the habit, as many of you did in your blog, of using free images but respecting licensing – Unsplash. #4 Write for the reader. Once you finish a draft, read it for clarity of meaning and ask yourself: did I explain this clearly enough? Will someone who doesn’t know me understand this? In several blogs, I couldn’t quite understand your lessons because you didn’t explain fully at the outset, for example, what your job was. #5 Don’t “talk.” Write. Sentences that run on are often the result of “talking,” not writing. Good news: this is easy to fix by “pruning.” Just like branches on a tree, lop off those meandering phrases and tighten your sentences. Ask yourself: what am I trying to say here? Then just start with your noun, verb and direct object. #6 Paint a full picture. Adding detail helps the reader understand your message. Identify a lesson but then support it with specific examples of what experience led you to that lesson. It helps the reader identify with the writer. #7 Have something to say. Include authoritative sources to support your points. It adds to your credibility. Writing for PR is the process of creating a credible, persuasive message.
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Suzanne Lowery MimsTeaching PR and launching careers = best job in the world. Archives
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