Author: eohara (Page 19 of 28)
Looking back on the News Release project, I found it to be a very informative and interesting practice as I hadn’t encountered this type of writing before. We made sure to match the tone of our product with the formula-like style tone that goes with the news release, and that was a great opportunity to look at how to separate a very promotional-driven brochure content from a reporting/professional style of a news release. Our group also appreciated the class time reserved for peer review, as we were able to change some formatting to make our information easy to read and more digestible for the audience. We also added more quotes which helped readers and prospective customers feel we have more credibility. The group work went well, and I always appreciate our willingness to openly communicate about how we can improve on the project and what our strengths are. For me, it was interesting to see all the work that goes on for just a seemingly simple one-page news release.
Chapter 16 on Group Presentations focuses on the concrete and specific formulas to ensure that a group presentation – prevalent in the business/professional world – is persuasive, effective, and consistent. With an emphasis on the etiquette portion of the presentation, I found that some crucial elements included strong group coordination and communication, such as formal dress, introductions, and well-practiced and timed transitions. Another central point is to follow the AIDA model even in a presentation, especially relevant to our class, where the aim is to sell a product. For example, the chapter discusses having a clear idea of what we want our audience to feel, think and do after the presentation – creating attention, interest, desire, and action. As with both group and individual presentations, it is essential to rehearse and practice as a team so you feel confident and your audience will regard you as an expert on your topic – that practice portion also helps ensure less fidgeting, excellent eye contact, and a calm persona.
