Writing Skills for Public Relations: Style and Technique for Mainstream and Social Media

by John Foster

Overview

Writing Skills for Public Relations is filled with helpful pointers and useful examples for public relations practitioners at all levels who need to make the best use of written communication. Covering both style and presentation, it addresses the dos and don'ts of English grammar, including jargon and clichés, as well as important legal considerations. Along with guidance on editing, policing house style, writing for the press, public speaking, pronunciation and good text design and layout, this fifth edition provides valuable advice on writing for online and social media. This is an essential hands-on practical guide for anyone earning a living through the written or spoken word.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780749465445
Publisher:	Kogan Page, Ltd.
Publication date:	10/03/2012
Series:	PR In Practice
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

John Foster has a background in journalism and has held senior public relations posts with Pira International and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising. He has written, edited and produced work ranging from house journals, books, posters and brochures to speeches and presentations. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, he was awarded the Institute's Stephen Tallents Medal for his 'contribution and commitment to the effective use of the written word'.
John Foster, FCIPR, is a specialist freelance journalist writing on management and technical issues in the printing industry. He is a regular contributor to the IPR magazine profile. He has held public relations posts with Pira International and with the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA). He is an honorary member of the IPA, a member of the CAM Education Foundation and an associate member of the Foreign Press Association.

Table of Contents

• • Chapter - 00: Introduction;
  • Chapter - 01: The importance of style: an overview;
  • Chapter - 02: Trouble with plurals and possessives;
  • Chapter - 03: Making your mark;
  • Chapter - 04: Down with capitalism!;
  • Chapter - 05: Clichés, jargon and other worn words;
  • Chapter - 06: Is it easy to read?;
  • Chapter - 07: Headlines: making them work;
  • Chapter - 08: Dealing with figures and abbreviations;
  • Chapter - 09: Keep it short, simple – and plain;
  • Chapter - 10: Social media: the X-factor for PR;
  • Chapter - 11: Writing for the media;
  • Chapter - 12: Captions: how to handle them;
  • Chapter - 13: Why editing matters;
  • Chapter - 14: Skills and styles for the office;
  • Chapter - 15: Traps, snares and pitfalls;
  • Chapter - 16: Americanisms – the differences;
  • Chapter - 17: The spoken word: pronunciation pointers;
  • Chapter - 18: Principles of presentation;
  • Chapter - 19: Writing for the web;
  • Chapter - 20: Tone – the linchpin of reputation;
  • Chapter - 21: Now it’s annual report time;
  • Chapter - 22: Is it legal?;
  • Chapter - 23: Keep to the codes

Editorial Reviews

"John Foster's book is a 'how to' guide that gives solid grounding in the writing requirements of the PR business. It covers a lot of ground on a complex but rewarding subject."

Writing Magazine

"...can be read with pleasure from cover-to-cover or dipped into for a refresher on a particular topic [...] As someone who has spent his career on both sides of the divide, Foster speaks with true authority."

The Writer Magazine

"...covers enormous ground. Besides writing effectively, Foster tackles new media, such as social networks and the Internet, even public speaking. He also gives helpful tips on how to make language come alive [...] to learn more about communicating well, read the book."

Philippine Rotary Robert Harland

"Writing good English must be one of the most difficult jobs in the world... This book by John Foster gives invaluable advice, not only on the rules of English grammar, but on how to make the language come alive."

Professor Anne Gregory

"A brilliantly comprehensive teach-yourself guide to making sure people will want to read or hear your written words. Foster covers print, website, broadcast, blog, Twitter, Facebook and public speaking with a sharp expertise gained from a lifetime in PR and journalism and a love of good, unpretentious English."

UK Features.co.uk and former Fleet Street editor Robin Corry

"This book addresses the pitfalls that wind up editors, clients and PR managers alike."

PRWeek

10 Research-Based Tips for Writing Better Content — Writing Skills for Public Relations featured in Cision blog post

"[A] practical-minded guide to effective communication for PR students, professionals, and anyone else who needs to represent themselves or their business. …Writing Skills for Public Relations is an absolute 'must-have' not only for those in the PR field, but also for any small business owner responsible for getting the word out on their enterprise - especially in the modern age when social media has become an inexpensive and invaluable publicity tool." —Midwest Book Review, The Library Bookwatch, The Writing/Publishing Shelf

"Any student of public relations needs this specific reference." —Midwest Book Review, The Bookwatch: The Writing/Publishing Shelf 

Praise for the previous edition: 

"John Foster's book is a 'how to' guide that gives solid grounding in the writing requirements of the PR business. It covers a lot of ground on a complex but rewarding subject." —Writing Magazine

"This book addresses the pitfalls that wind up editors, clients and PR managers alike." —PRWeek

From the Publisher