Welcome
Welcome to the companion website for the sixth edition of Becoming a Public Relations Writer by Ronald D. Smith. Using straightforward, no-nonsense language, realistic examples, easy-to-follow steps and practical exercises, this textbook introduces the various formats and styles of writing you will encounter as a public relations practitioner.
This site provides content tailored to this edition, with particular updates to the student section including career information and salaries, ethics codes and the addition of a Writing Boot Camp to help students deal with their own writing challenges. Updates in the instructor section coincide with changes in chapter content and a revised test bank.
Here’s what you’ll find on this website
Students
Careers in Public Relations
Two files in this section—careers and career data—provide information about obtaining entry-level and subsequent jobs in public relations and advertising. These include educational expectations, personal characteristics and professional skills, as well as advice on job searches, resumes, portfolios and interview preparation.
Ethics Codes
Codes of professional conduct and ethics for several organizations including Public Relations Society of America, Canadian Public Relations Society, International Public Relations Association, Chartered Institute for Public Relations and American Marketing Association.
Professional Organizations
Links to 15 professional organizations including Public Relations Society of America, Canadian Public Relations Society, and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, as well as special-interest organizations focused on sports information, investor relations, education and religion communication, as well as black and Hispanic public relations organizations. The link to the International Public Relations Association is a gateway to links with 79 national organizations focused on public relations and marketing communications.
Writing Boot Camp
Four separate files with self-teaching exercises, example quizzes related to noun–pronoun agreement, subject–verb agreement, punctuation and word choices.
Instructors
Chapter Overviews
Synopses of each of the 18 chapters with an introduction, explanation of each exercise and discussion topics.
Pedagogical Overview
Outline of various teaching methods including in-class writing, homework assignments, discussion topics, chapter learning outcomes, writing models, writing conferencing, writing groups, semester-long writing assignment, client organization, writing portfolio, writing critiques, chapter tests and copyediting test.
Critique Forms and Student Feedback
Forms instructors can use to critique and grade various types of assignments including planning sheets, news and feature releases, stylebook test and student portfolio.
Test Banks
Separate test files for each of the 18 chapters. Each file includes multiple-choice items, true/false items and short-answer essay questions. Each file is presented as a test key with correct answers highlighted in bold italic, which instructors can change to regular type before printing or posting these for students.
Sample Syllabus
Course syllabus with sections related to general logistical/contact information, purpose of public relations writing, student learning outcomes, professional overview and tentative semester schedule. It also features a section on academic expectations including effort, integrity, grading, special needs and assistance, and an overview of the relative grading weight for writing assignments, exams, portfolio and participation.
Signs for Classroom Use
Word cloud and printable posters.
Book Information Complimentary Exam Copy