Press Releases Press Release Structure and Format 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What font type and size is recommended for press releases?
- Arial 8pt
- Times New Roman or Arial, 12pt (Correct answer)
- Comic Sans, 14pt
- Courier New, 10pt
Correct answer: Times New Roman or Arial, 12pt
Standard readable fonts like Times New Roman or Arial at 12pt ensure professional presentation and easy readability.
Question 2: What does a 'pull quote' in a press release serve?
- A quote pulled from a competitor's statement
- A highlighted quote used to draw reader attention to key statements (Correct answer)
- A quote removed before sending
- The CEO's personal blog excerpt
Correct answer: A highlighted quote used to draw reader attention to key statements
Pull quotes visually highlight important statements, making them stand out and encouraging journalists to use them in coverage.
Question 3: How should hyperlinks be handled in a printed press release?
- Omit all links
- Write out the full URL or use anchor text (Correct answer)
- Use only QR codes
- Underline random words
Correct answer: Write out the full URL or use anchor text
In print format, full URLs should be spelled out; in digital format, anchor text hyperlinks improve readability.
Question 4: Why are subheadings or bullet points sometimes used in longer press releases?
- To fill space
- To improve scannability and help journalists find key information quickly (Correct answer)
- Because they are required by AP Style
- To avoid writing full sentences
Correct answer: To improve scannability and help journalists find key information quickly
Subheadings and bullets break up dense text, allowing time-pressed journalists to scan quickly for the most relevant details.
Question 5: What is the purpose of 'For More Information' at the end of a press release?
- It's a legal requirement
- It directs journalists to the media contact or additional resources (Correct answer)
- It replaces the boilerplate
- It lists all company products
Correct answer: It directs journalists to the media contact or additional resources
'For More Information' introduces the media contact section, making it easy for journalists to seek additional details.
Question 6: In a properly formatted press release, where does the boilerplate appear?
- Before the headline
- After the end mark (###)
- Just before the end mark, after the body (Correct answer)
- In the middle of the body
Correct answer: Just before the end mark, after the body
The boilerplate appears at the end of the press release body, just before the ### end mark.
Press Releases Press Release Structure and Format 2
What font type and size is recommended for press releases?