A part of the thesis process is taking a compulsory maturity test. According to the Act on University of Applied Sciences (352/2003) §10 ‘as part of the university of applied sciences degree the student must take a maturity test in the field of their thesis showing acquaintance with the field and skill in Finnish or Swedish language’. The University of Applied Sciences will decide on the maturity test when the student is not required the language skill mentioned in §8, paragraph 1.
The maturity test consists of writing a media release on the thesis work. The maturity test is taken after the thesis report has been submitted for assessment. The media release must have general language, it must be interesting and professional in style.
The student should imagine that the release will be read by a journalist. The release must answer the questions: what, where, when, how, why and who. The release must be short; recommended length is one page only. In the release the most important topic comes first and the supporting information in the end. The main topics of the release are in the headline and the introductory paragraph. The headline introduces the core topic in a concise and interesting way. The headline is followed by an introductory paragraph which is the first one of the supporting paragraphs introducing the main content of the release. The following paragraphs complement, give reasons and elaborate on the topic. The release finishes with ‘Further information’ which introduces the person / body who can give further information on the topic. Please see from the bottom of this page for more information on how to write the media release.
Once the maturity test is passed, the student has the right to use the media release for their own purposes. Centria University of Applied Sciences also has the right to use the release.
The maturity test is written using the media release template.
If the maturity test in EXAM is not possible, the maturity test can be done under supervision in an online situation. An oral section may be attached to the maturity test.
The media release of a thesis summarizes the most essential results of the work
The release is a generally understood, interesting piece of news about a thesis. When writing the release the student should think about the meaning of the thesis, bring forth their own expertise and try to raise the readers’ interest. The release is targeted at media that can give visibility to the thesis and report on its results to the working life and general public.
The structure of the release: 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?
• What was the method of doing the work?
• How can the work 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 media release of a thesis the introductory paragraph usually presents the objective of the work, the most central result and the benefits of the work. Having read the introductory paragraph the reader already knows what the thesis is all about.
The actual text
The actual text or the body presents the resolved or developed topic more deeply, its details and backgrounds. The release is not a summary of the thesis and the whole work should not 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 it was achieved? Why is this specific topic important right now? The implementation and the method of the thesis are not so interesting to the media; they can be dealt with at the end of the release.
Organize the release into subheadings in needed. They make the text easier to scan and keep the reader interested. Remember good paragraphing.
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.
Write one topic in one 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 followingly:
Further information
First name Last name
Degree Programme of the Master’s Degree
phone number
email address.
Link to the thesis if one is available.
Hirsjärvi, S., Remes, P. & Sajavaara, P. 2010. Tutki ja kirjoita. 15. – 16. painos. Helsinki: Tammi.
Kortetjärvi-Nurmi, S.& Murtola, K. 2015. Areena. Yritysviestinnän käsikirja. Helsinki: Edita.
Kotimaisten kielten keskus. Kielitoimiston ohjepankki. Available: http://www.kielitoimistonohjepankki.fi/
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.