Press Release Re-Write Activity

Re-write the following press release using the information we covered in class as your guide.

What's wrong here? Sloppy title doesn't explain what the event is. Lead-in sentence is too general and doesn't tell the reader what the "article" is about. Lead-in and title together don't give the reader the important information they need to participate in the event. Background information doesn't explain the event or what to expect. Sentences seem thrown together with no real connections. Quotes aren't used effectively to provide information and "texture" to the work. Sentences are too long & should be broken down for easier reading.

Basket Weavers for Peace

Monday March 30th 5-8:00pm

Coffee cake donated by the Bakers for Peace organization will be served
The Basket Shop
114 Main Street
Anytown, MI

Basket weaving is an old artform practiced by Native Americans, early settlers, and even whale ship sailers who would weave baskets for their wives to pass the long months at sea. It is also a great relaxation exercise that produces usable art. And it's relatively easy to learn. "The group has been together since the spring of 2006," says Basket Weavers for Peace founder Tony Shakes. "We're trying to bring awareness of the productive powers of the peace movement by creating baskets and sending the proceeds from basket sales to the Red Cross in Iraq."

Parents are encouraged to bring their children who can participate in weaving pot holders while the adults weave baskets. Admission is $10 to cover the cost of materials, and participants must agree to surrender their work for sale by the Basket Shop which has generously agreed to sell the items without profit to themselves. Shakes says he thinks of the meetings as "a kind of productive sit-in." In addition to learning to weave traditional baskets, participants will learn about other peace events in the area. "It's a great way to do something productive for people caught up in the war and illustrate your frustration with America's war in Iraq," says Becky Turner who has been weaving with the group since the summer. "I also enjoy the activity and getting to know like-minded individuals in the community."

These course materials
are licensed by Lori Ostergaard under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License.