When preparing press releases, you should:

• A. Use technical terms
• B. Include professional opinions in the documents
• C. Proofread the document
• D. Expect the information to be used verbatim

Answer: (C)

Proofreading a press release is essential to ensure accuracy, clarity, and credibility. In official communications, precise spelling of names, titles, dates, numbers, and URLs matters because even small errors can misinform readers or damage trust. Proofreading also checks grammar and sentence structure so the message is easy to understand and professional, and it helps ensure the document matches the organization’s style and tone. It confirms that contact information and boilerplate are correct, which keeps media follow-up smooth. By catching mistakes before publication, proofreading reduces the risk of misquotes or the need for later corrections, which can create confusion and reflect poorly on the organization.

Using technical terms tends to alienate readers who aren’t specialists, and a press release should read clearly to a broad audience. Including professional opinions in the document isn’t typically appropriate unless those opinions are clearly attributed as quotes or statements from experts; otherwise, it can blur fact with opinion. Relying on information to be used verbatim isn’t a safe assumption either—paraphrase may be necessary for clarity and space, and even verbatim text benefits from proofreading to ensure it’s accurate and properly attributed.