Supplements to the Release

For all forms of news releases, the background information mentioned above can include

• The actual research papers or reports on which a story is based.
• Backgrounders on the work being reported, including expanded perspective on its place in the field. This perspective might include the names and affiliations of other experts on the topic. Also useful are photocopies or internet addresses of general overview articles or web sites that contain useful background information.
• Illustrations, photographs, computer animation or graphics, charts, or drawings that describe and clarify the subject. For television, slides are usually better than photographs. When photos are sent, matte- or dull-finish prints are better, since glossy prints reflect highlights.
• Biographies and recent photographs of the principal(s) in the story.
• References. If the work is technical or if the release includes claims of superiority over other techniques, products, or therapies, it helps to provide reference material and/or a bibliography.

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