I analyzed my public relations textbook, Public Relations Strategies and Tactics (Wilcox and Cameron). My public relations textbook’s main function is to teach public relations students how to be public relations professionals capable of handling public relations campaigns for a variety of clients. The book also discusses the history of public relations to teach students about how the profession has evolved and grown. The history of public relations also includes how and when public relations developed in other countries besides the U.S. The history of public relations is important, because students learn about the ethics and legalities of public relations. Those are things that develop over long periods of time as problems develop; they are things that students need to know if they intend to work in the public relations field.
Public Relations Strategies and Tactics features case studies and examples of public relations campaigns that have been used to solve clients’ crises, to improve clients’ image, etc. These case scenarios describe different types of public relations scenarios and how these problems have been solved in the past to teach students about the creative problem solving needed in the public relations field.The text also features clear and concise writing that is easy to understand. This ensures that students understand what they are reading which then ensures the students’ success in the class and later in the professional field.
The textbook has some student activities that are designed to help students engage with the text and learn more. One of these activities is a case scenario for students to read. After reading the scenario the students should then decide what kind of public relations campaign they would design to accomplish the client’s goals. There are also questions at the end of each chapter for the students to answer. These questions are designed to help students remember important facts from the reading, and to show that they comprehended the material.