Press Releases Press Release Structure and Format 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Where does the dateline appear in a standard press release?
- At the very end
- Before the boilerplate
- At the start of the first body paragraph (Correct answer)
- In the headline
Correct answer: At the start of the first body paragraph
The dateline appears at the beginning of the first paragraph and includes the city and date of release.
Question 2: What information does the media contact section of a press release contain?
- Product pricing details
- Name, phone number, and email of the PR contact (Correct answer)
- List of company investors
- Legal disclaimers
Correct answer: Name, phone number, and email of the PR contact
The media contact section gives journalists a direct point of contact for questions, interviews, or additional information.
Question 3: What is the standard placement of the company logo on a press release?
- Bottom of the page
- Centered in the boilerplate
- Top of the document, usually in the header (Correct answer)
- Next to every quote
Correct answer: Top of the document, usually in the header
The company logo typically appears at the top of the press release to immediately identify the issuing organization.
Question 4: Which section immediately follows the headline in a press release?
- Boilerplate
- Subheadline or lead paragraph (Correct answer)
- Media contact
- End marker
Correct answer: Subheadline or lead paragraph
After the headline comes the subheadline (optional) or the lead paragraph, which delivers the core news.
Question 5: What is the correct format for a press release dateline city?
- New york, ny
- NEW YORK, N.Y.
- New York, NY (Correct answer)
- new york
Correct answer: New York, NY
AP Style uses title case for city names and standard two-letter postal abbreviations for US states.
Question 6: How should a press release handle multiple announcements?
- Combine them all into one long release
- Issue separate press releases for each announcement (Correct answer)
- Skip minor announcements entirely
- Only use bullet points
Correct answer: Issue separate press releases for each announcement
Each announcement should have its own press release to maintain a clear news hook and make each story easy to pitch.
Press Releases Press Release Structure and Format 1
Where does the dateline appear in a standard press release?