Advice for TESC's TECEPs: Public Relations, Intro to News Reporting or Marketing Com?

[Lady Grace of Pemberley]

They should give you everything you need to write a quick story. This is not like that example where you have to research, they will give you "reporter's notes" for the content and the rest is about the way you format it.

AP style is the key, focus on how to turn the notes into text that matches the guidelines for things like datelines, state abbreviations, dates (look at the month abbreviations), and many other little things. The example in the study guide is a perfect example, they give notes and quotes and then show you the writing.

Using the first part of the example from the study guide:

[COLOR="#0000CD"]CLEVELAND BURIED IN SNOW
CLEVELAND, Jan. 12 – For the past three days it has been snowing here. The city is buried under 26 inches of snow.[/COLOR]

As AP style dictates, there is a title in all caps, city in all caps, the state is missing because CLEVELAND is on the list of exceptions to that rule, the month is abbreviated and has a period, and the numbers are written in a different way, three is spelled out while 26 isn't.

As far as exams go, I would say this one may be difficult to many people, it may be a lower level course but it requires a very specific style of writing. If you took the actual course they would most likely ask you to buy the AP Stylebook (https://www.apstylebook.com/apbookstore/...17360-56-5) to help you.

For me, when I took the test I had the stylebook from taking Media Writing, the textbook I previously mentioned, and I do work in the media (but not as a writer).

Here are a few links to a very small portion of AP style:
Associated Press - Using Associated Press Style
Associated Press (AP) Style Guide - the basics

Thanks again for all of that information -- very helpful as I prepare for this exam!! I really appreciate it.