WRI 230 - Strategic Writing for Public Relations and Marketing
Course Description
Learn the information necessary to achieve public relations writing success, including how to write and format documents such as news releases, advisories, media kits, backgrounders, and fact sheets through study, practice, peer and instructor feedback, and assignments. Continue with practice in marketing and advertising writing which may include: advertisements for print, radio, or television, proposals; sales; direct mail; fund raising and more. We will discuss the latest methods used in the industry such as engaging audiences through the web, social media, and blogs.
Course Details
Broad Learning Outcome:
Upon successful completion of the WRI 230 course, you will be able to identify and clearly contrast the PR communications concepts of brand, goals, objectives, strategies and tactics and to use them to communicate more effectively to reach a variety of audiences in today’s digital age.
Supporting Learning Outcome Statements
By completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
- Apply different writing styles appropriate to different situations, media and publications.
- Express information clearly to the audience using competencies in writing mechanics, grammar, headlines, labels, tone and structure.
- Evaluate the importance of creating news-making content decisions in writing.
- Appreciate how news media evaluates what is newsworthy.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite: Learning Online (BMC 152 or BMC 352) and WRI 150 Writing in the Workplace (formerly BMC 113 Business Writing Basics and/or WRI 130 Professional Writing Basics). Students registered in the Public Relations or Marketing certificates may apply to have WRI 150 waived. A writing sample may be required. Please contact the program office at (403) 220-2866 for more details.
Applies Towards the Following Certificate(s)
- Marketing Certificate : Optional Marketing Courses
- Professional Writing Certificate specializing in Business and Technical Writing : Professional Writing Optional Courses
- Professional Writing Certificate specializing in Marketing and Public Relations : Marketing and Public Relations Specialization Courses
- Public Relations Management Certificate : Optional Public Relations Courses
I'm originally from Halifax, but live and work in Calgary. After my pilot training, I spent five years in the military before switching careers to public relations. I completed a BPR and MPR from Mount Saint Vincent University, and also have certificates in marketing and graphic design. Over the past twelve years, I've worked in private sector, post-secondary and government communication roles. Currently, I work for the province of Alberta as the Area Information Coordinator for the Calgary Forest Area. It's a dynamic job, with an emphasis on public education and media relations - especially during the wildfire season. I'm also fortunate to be able to share my PR experience through teaching at the University of Calgary and University of Victoria. I enjoy PR as it's a field with a lot of variety and diversity in the type of work you do, and where you can do it. My PR areas of interest are the creative/design aspects tied to campaigns, as well as education and the post-secondary environment.