The release is a popularized, interesting piece of news about the thesis. When writing the release the student should think about the meaning of the thesis, highlight his/ her own expertise and try to create interest in the reader.
The structure of the release: the most essential first
The release is structured as a piece of news; the most important information is presented first. The release must answer these questions:
• Who did? What? Where?
• What were the principal results?
• Who was the work done for?
• What was the background for the work?
• Which method was used?
• How can the research be utilized?
• Where can the reader get further information?
Headline
The headline gives the main topic of the text briefly and concisely. The most important result, finding or achievement should be presented already in the headline. The headline tells what you have done and makes the reader interested.
Introductory paragraph
The most important and strongest point of the release is summarized in the introductory paragraph, supporting the headline. The introductory paragraph or the lead is only a few sentences long but entices the reader to read also the rest of the release. In the internal release of a thesis the introductory paragraph usually presents the objective of the research, the most central result and the benefits of the research.
Having read the introductory paragraph the reader already understands what the thesis is all about.
The actual text
The actual text or the body presents the investigated or developed topic more deeply, its details and backgrounds. The internal release is not a summary of the thesis and the whole thesis work does not have to be presented in the text.
Present the most important research results and conclusions concisely. Tell what, whom and how the findings will affect and how they will be used. What was the objective of the work and how was it achieved? Why is this specific topic important right now? The implementation and the method of the thesis are less interesting to the reader of a release; they can be dealt with at the end. Organize the release using subheadings if needed. They make the text easier to scan and keep the reader interested. Remember good paragraph structure.
Language
The text of the release must be clear, easily understood and explicit. It must be professional and grammatically correct English. The tone is declarative and news-like. Write fairly short sentences and paragraphs, explain difficult terms and concepts. Only one topic area is dealt with in each paragraph. The scope of the release is 3000 characters (1-2 pages, spaces included).
Further information
In the end you should write your contact information so that anyone who is interested can ask for more information. Mark it as follows:
Further information
First name Last name
Degree Programme
email address
Swales, J. & Feak, C. 2012. Academic Writing for Graduate Students. Michigan: Michigan University Press.
Swales, J. & Feak, C. 2000. English in Today’s Research World. Michigan: Michigan University Press.