PR Group Project

Usually when I am assigned a group project I begin to freak out. I am typically the type that does not like to rely on others to get work done. Though this is true, Meagan LaMarche, Emily Stevenson, Para Pirzada and I decided to do our group project together and I am happy that we did. All four of us girls are hardworking individuals, who always put forth our best effort. Each group member brought new and stimulating ideas to the table.

Also, I feel that we all listened and respected one another’s opinions, which allowed us to work well together.  We met a total of four times, including the one class session that we were given to work on the assignment. At each group meeting we all stayed focused upon making our project fantastic and different.

For our television public service announcement (PSA) we decided that we wanted to create something that would be easy for teenagers to relate to. We wanted this because drinking and driving is such a horrific problem that many teens are faced with every day. So, we decided to focus our PSA on the movie Mean Girls, which is a beloved movie by many young adults. The actors and actresses in the movie play high school students and show different scenarios that those their age partake in. One of these scenarios is underage drinking and actress Lindsay Lohan has been known to be in trouble with the law for drinking and driving.  This gave us the idea to tie the illegal issue of driving under the influence and the movie together to promote not drinking and driving.

For the two radio PSA's we chose to use the fear tactic and factual tactic. The PSA that uses the fear tactic is meant to portray how a mother would feel after losing her daughter due to someone’s naive decision to drink and drive. The intentions of this are to cause the listeners to feel sympathetic for the mother and to make them think before they get behind the wheel after consuming alcoholic beverages. Our second radio PSA states multiple statistics on drinking and driving to show how serious of an issue it truly is.

Not only did our group complete these PSA’s in a professional manner, but we also created an outstanding for the Communications department at Eastern Connecticut State University. To do so, we as a group came together to brainstorm about different article topics. We wrote about things that would intrigue a communications student such as the trip that will be taking place abroad, what careers you can pursue after receiving your degree and more.

Overall, I think my group did an excellent job in working together, creating a superb project and being open to each other’s ideas. The one thing that we found challenging was finding time periods in which we could all meet outside of class, but besides everything ran smoothly. If given the chance to start the project over, I would choose the same group again.            

PSA: Cigarettes Don't Have a Brain

          The FEMA Public Service Announcement is a reminder to put out cigarettes completely before going to sleep. The PSA contains a picture of a man sleeping while holding a cigarette that is about to cause a fire. This picture grabs the audiences attention and gets them to read the information provided. The picture is slightly faded and placed in the background so that the wording stands out and is an easy read. The only part of the picture that is not faded is the cigarette, which makes the issue at hand stand out. In bold yellow print a catchy saying is used, “cigarettes don’t know when you are asleep.” This saying is meant to state an obvious fact that is overlooked by so many who smoke. Following this saying a statement is made to show why putting out your cigarette completely is so important. The statement tells the spectator that smoking is the number one cause of house fires. 

This PSA uses the fear and reflection tactic. Fear is used in the advertisement because it is saying that if you don’t put out a cigarette your house may catch on fire. This causes you to reflect upon the message and think of all the damage that may be caused by a fire. At the bottom of the page a call for action is stated that says, “if you smoke put it out all the way, all the time.” Then a web site is provided so that the reader can obtain more information upon the subject. The PSA closes with and explanation of what the organization  does and their logo.  

Op-Ed's in the New York Times

             Marriage on the Ballot is an op-ed that was published in the New York Times on October 30^th. It presents the authors view upon legalizing same-sex marriage. The author feels that lesbians, gays and bisexuals should be allowed to marry because it is their fundamental right to do so. A state should not have the right to pass or not pass a law allowing this right through the use of a ballot box. Also, the ballot that will take place on November 6^th is brought to attention and how it may be vitally important in the struggle for marriage equality.

            In an effort to persuade readers the author uses some powerful and persuasive techniques. The essay opens with an interesting and catchy statement, which makes the authors point clear and grabs the audience’s attention. This causes the reader to want to keep reading. A claim is stated that marriage is a right, not something to be voted on. Then the author discusses how Maine, Washington, Maryland and Minnesota may vote. This is reviewed in great detail with supporting evidence. Evidence is clearly shown throughout the essay to express why same-sex marriage should be permitted along with the opposing views for the argument. For example opponents in Maine feel that marriage equality will bring harm to the heterosexual couples. This and other opposing opinions are included to show how juvenile the opposing arguments are, which makes the piece more persuasive. Maine has also aired commercials suggesting that gays and lesbians can still be treated fairly even if they don’t have the right to marry, but isn’t that unfair treatment in itself.  

Suicide by Choice? Not So Fast is another op-ed written by freelance journalist, Ben Mattlin. This journalist was born with congenital neuromuscular and is confused about why states are so quick to vote on the assisted-suicide law. Massachusetts will be voting on the law next week and three other states have already passed it. Mattlin feels that people are too willing to accept the right to die before all has been done to help those suffering with life-threatening conditions. I found this piece to be very interesting because the author uses an emotional appeal to persuade the audience. He goes into great detail about how his sickness has affected his life and how doctors have been willing to give up on him. He is a father, husband and a fighter who does not want to accept death just yet. He feels that a vast majority of those who are willing to die chose this path because they feel as if they are an inconvenience to others and abuse the right.

Ben Mattlin does a great job at hooking the reader right from the start. He makes a statement about a touchy and serious topic, which is suicide. Then he states his opinion on the matter so that there is no confusion. Though Mattlin doesn’t want the assisted-suicide law to be passed or abused, he does state the opposing arguments. He does this to show that there are reasons for why the assisted-suicide law may be seen as a good idea. This presents both sides of the case. For example he explains that a person’s sickness may cause loved ones pain and exhaustion. He uses this opposing view to show that pressure may be added by those who care for the sick and cause them to choose death. Their choice may be made based upon others feelings, not their own. Overall, I thought this was an amazing and well written opinion piece.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/opinion/suicide-by-choice-not-so-fast.html?_r=0 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/opinion/marriage-on-the-ballotsame-sex-on-the-ballot-in-4-states.html

     

President Obama: Making College More Affordable: Higher Education Speech

               In the speech Obama addresses many higher education issues including the importance of students graduating high school and furthering their education. He also discusses the importance of making college more affordable so that the youth of America can do so without being in debt for the rest of their lives. He also talks about the importance of creating more jobs here in the states. He presents his speech in a deliberative manner because he intends to persuade the audience that he is correct about what needs to be done to correct certain issues.

            Obama begins his speech with a strong introduction. He instantly grabs the audience’s attention by saying hello and giving thanks to all who are responsible for him being there. He does this with enthusiasm and energy to relate to his audience, which is full of college students. He even connects with the students by responding to those who call out to him and making jokes with them. He then makes sure to give a preview of the speech by highlighting the main importance of what will be discussed. He expresses how important it is that all students in America receive the education that they need to succeed in the world today and how this can be made possible. He also discusses the issue of sending jobs overseas. He states that there needs to be more jobs here in America.

            The body of the speech contains Obamas clear arguments for how he intends to bring manufacturing back to America. He presents his ideas through the use of the problem and solution pattern.  He states what the issues are and then how they can be corrected. For example he expresses that there needs to be more jobs in America. He then states that congress needs to stop rewarding companies that are shipping jobs overseas, but instead support companies that create more jobs here in the states. He also discusses the importance of not letting other countries control our energy supply. He proposes that we need to focus on clean and renewable energy sources. This will create more jobs and help keep our planet clean.

After Obama discusses certain ways in which America can create more jobs he then talks about the importance of receiving a higher education. He brings awareness to how expensive college has become and how many cannot afford it.  At one point he says that college loan debt has surpassed credit card debt. After he presents this issue he then states multiple solutions for how he is working to lower college expenses. He also explains what Congress, Sate, colleges and Universities have to do as well to lower the costs. For example he says that the study jobs need to double over the next five years so that students can pay their way through college.

After Obama finishes talking about each aspect of his speech in great depth, he ends strong. He concludes his speech by telling the students that he has faith in them to lead a great country. He tells the students that they inspire him and he’s proud of them. He then wraps up his speech by saying thanks and God bless America. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li84FO3f34Y

 

             

             

News Release

In public relations there are different formats used when writing for different purposes. A news release is one of them. According to the text, a news release is a news story that is used by organizations to provide information to the text based news media. After viewing three examples of news releases from the textbook; Becoming a Public Relations Writer by Ronald Smith, I have notice that they tend to have similar attributes.

            News releases always begin in the same way. A headline is provided to explain briefly what the topic of the news release is. The organizations name is provided along with contact information at the top as well. This is done so that journalists who receive them are able to get more information easily if needed. One thing that I truly liked when looking at these examples is how the organization’s name was presented in each. The organization’s name in all three examples is centered in the upper part of the page in bold. The reader’s attention is easily caught by the organizations identification. This is smart on their behalf because the journalist will know right away whom the news release is about.  

            A strong lead is another attribute that these news releases have in common. A strong lead is important. They are meant to catch the reader’s attention from the start so that they want to read more. If a lead is not written properly, you risk the chance of losing your target audience. Last, but certainly not least an end mark or a more mark is used at the end of the page. An end mark is used to signify that there is no more to read. A more mark is used so that the reader knows to flip the page because there is still more to be read.    

             Overall, The examples in the text share many of the same attributes. These attributes are used to create a well-written and well-organized news release. 

My Fact Sheet

Communication Major

83 Windham St.

Willimantic, CT 06226

Levins@my.easternct.edu

Samantha Levin

Fact Sheet

·         Born: Brookfield, CT, 07/05/1990

·         Graduated from Brookfield High School, 2008

·         Hostess and waitress at Johns Best Restaurant, Brookfield, CT, 2006-2008

·         Worked at TJ Maxx, Brookfield, CT , 2006-2008

·         Attended Bay State College, Boston, MA, 2008-2010

·         Intern for Boston Medical, 2009

·         Currently attending Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), 2010-2012

·         Culture and Fine Arts Coordinator for Campus Activity board,  ECSU, 2010

·         Intern for Clear Channel, Downtown Hartford, CT, 2011

·         Note taker and tutor for accessibilities at ECSU, 2012

Similarities and Differences in the World of Writing

          There are many differences and similarities between public relations and journalism. One major difference is how the two are structured. In public relations sentences are short and straight to the point. They consist of few words and must be in present tense. Unlike public relations, journalism which is also known as news writing may include wordier sentences. It uses present, past and future tense depending on what is being discussed. When writing about a certain date or event which ever tense applies may be used, otherwise present tense is used. Also, the purpose of each style of writing is different.
          Those who write for the news work to inform their audience with accurate and reliable information. It is a factual based style. News categories include hard news, breaking news, soft news and specialized news. On the contrary, public relation professionals work to influence, promote and protect a person or organization's image. This form is used in press releases, media kits and other forms of persuasion.
        As stated public relations professionals are hired to promote people, products or companies. This may cause them to be bias. When hired to write for others, you are being paid to take the side of those who pay. News on the other hand is not supposed to be bias. Journalism is meant to state facts and not show favoritism. Though this is true, I do not feel that all journalism is strictly unbiased.
         Last week I discussed the Fox News scandal in which they blatantly lied to America about a certain milk company. I believe that Fox has clearly shown that the news can be bias. If is not illegal to lie in the news then how can it truly be unbiased? Favoritism was shown for the company and was protected by the news. I think the two styles may both be bias.
         Another similarity between the two is that both forms of writing are aimed at specific audiences. For example when a company hires someone to do PR, they need to decipher who they want to reach. The writer must decide how to target what age group, ethnicities and so on. They then use their persuasive powers on the intended audience. This is the same when writing for the news. When a journalist writes a piece they need to decide who they want to target and how they will do this. If a journalist is writing for a town newspaper, they would want to write about town events and issues. Overall, there are many similarities and differences between public relations and journalism, but I tend to see more differences.