Public Relations Writing

Public Relations Writing is an undergraduate communication and public relations textbook. It positions writing for public relations in the context of strategic planning, and is based on traditional communication writing principles, including for news and digital media. The book illustrates how writing for all public relations tools reflects the concepts that inform professional planning and practice.

This book, based on the author’s wide professional practice and tertiary teaching experiences, has been widely used in international undergraduate teaching and learning. This fourth edition continues to treat clear, concise and accurate writing for this profession as integral to all aspects of professional practice and as a skill that is not confined to media release writing. Among the book’s strengths are the student exercises, including international cases, which are based on real-world examples, and references to ethical practice. This book provides a holistic approach to learning about writing in this profession. While its focus is on writing, this holistic approach, which includes material on planning a communication strategy, makes it an ideal text for introductory subjects at university as well as for specialist writing units. While it is primarily grounded in Australian practice, the book is written in line with accepted international approaches to public relations writing, including the principles of journalism’s ’news writing’, and contains case studies from other countries. This book appeals to audiences in early-year university students studying public relations and marketing communication.

It is also suitable for professional practitioners seeking to enhance their writing skills.

James Mahoney is Adjunct Professor of Professional Communication in the News & Media Research Centre, Faculty of Arts and Communication, at the University of Canberra. He is a former Head, Discipline of Communication, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra. He convened the Bachelor of Public Relations and the Master of Strategic Communication degrees. He has had a career as a public relations manager in national private, public, and higher education sector organisations, and was a journalist on The Sydney Morning Herald. James has been Honorary National Secretary of the industry body, Communication and Public Relations Australia and is a Life Fellow of CPRA. James’ research interests are in issues management and strategic communication, and public relations education, and he has authored several books on strategic communication.