The Definition of Public Relations

The Definition of Public Relations Free Online Research Papers The task of defining Public Relations is difficult because the scope of work is different as it pertains to a particular organization or individual, and the responsibilities vary. As well, the PR industry refers to relations or dealings with the public, but publics can vary as well. Through segmentation, publics can be defined or classified as various types. PR often refers to the â€Å"buzz† surrounding an individual or organization. When the entity is talked about, it becomes recognized, and public opinion begins to formulate. Definitions throughout the years have tried to capture all the PR entails. What makes defining PR challenging is that it is a relatively new industry, in terms of being recognized in a corporate environment. As well, technological advancements and legislation has affected PR in the last few decades, therefore changing the scope of duties from a PR professional. Though many have attempted to define PR, the one commonality among all definitions is that it refers to the influence of public opinion. Here is a look at three definitions, and a personal definition of Public Relations. Though the definition dates back to around 1923, one current definition is stated, according to Fraser Seitel (2004) as: Public relations is a planned process to influence public opinion, through sound character and proper performance, based on mutually satisfactory two-way communication.† Similarly, to describe a PR professional, â€Å"public relations practitioner is a manager/orchestrator/producer/director/writer/arranger and all-around general communications counsel to management. It is for this reason, then, that the process works best when the public relations director reports to the CEO. (p.10) The first definition, listed by Seitel, seems to provide a modern, accurate description of what PR encompasses. Breaking it down, Seitel mentions it is a â€Å"planned process.† This means the work done behind the scenes in preparation for any PR efforts. This refers to the communication with management, stakeholders, employees, customers, political groups, and all publics. By gathering this information, the PR professional is armed with the appropriate information to represent an organization effectively. Going further, â€Å"to influence public opinion.† This fragment clearly describes the essence of PR, which is an effort to change, modify, or influence a publics attitudes and thoughts that will turn into behaviors and actions. The purpose of including the second part of the definition by Seitel, in which he describes the PR professional, is to further show what roles are included in PR. The person or persons truly serve as an overall communications counselor or entity in that they are consistently forming and maintaining relationships, writing, researching, managing, creating, and searching for opportunities to communicate with their various publics. The job does not focus on one particular skill, rather, requires multiple skills and characteristics for success in influencing public opinion. The official statement adopted by the PRSA Assembly (November, 1982) states that: â€Å"Public relations helps our complex, pluralistic society to reach decisions and function more effectively by contributing to mutual understanding among groups and institutions. It serves to bring private and public policies into harmony.† The PRSA, like Seitel, mentions the importance of two-way communication with publics by using the phrase â€Å"mutual understanding.† The official statement mentions the complexity of society and gently describes that again, PR is to influence public opinion, but takes the definition a step further by pointing out that PR should pointedly assist the public in reaching decisions and not just shape the decisions. As well, the statement implies that without PR, society’s public opinion would not function as effectively and harmoniously. The statement continues by mentioning the various organizations that need PR. Also, organizations must be able to effectively influence public opinion in order to meet their goals. The Council of Public Relations Firms (Eggerston, 2006) says: â€Å"In their service to clients, public relations firms play a vital role in encouraging public discourse. The professionalism and objectivity of our firms helps clients engage in that discourse, and clients turn to us for our counsel and assistance to vigorously pursue their organizational goals in educating or persuading audiences that matter most to them.† In the third definition, again, influencing public opinion is made known in this definition, and in the first sentence. The softer word, encourage, however is used. This particular definition stresses the importance of professionalism and objectivity. A lack of objectivity could be seen as fraudulent activity, thus producing a PR nightmare. It is imperative to maintain objectivity, flexibility, and admit humility when necessary. Publics respond well to facts. Facts are used to persuade public opinion. Therefore, maintaining objectivity in line with facts is often a successful way to maintain positive public opinion. This particular definition reflects how professionalism can certainly influence public opinion. Given the research and definitions reviewed, a personal definition would be: â€Å"Public Relations is the creation, management, and maintenance of communicating with various publics to establish and promote two-way communication, and aid in the persuasion of positive public opinion towards an organization or individual. Objectivity, professionalism, and understanding societal differences is the key to assisting the influence of a public’s opinion and society as a whole.† The personal definition mentions PR’s overall goal – to influence public opinion. However, this definition lists the methods and responsibilities in doing such. As well, the definition states that there are, in fact, different publics as well as society in general without being too specific or convoluted. Though the definition of PR has evolved over the past 100 years, and the methods of delivery have changed, the overall message remains the same. If there was no effort to influence public opinion, PR would not exist. However, for centuries have various governments, organizations, and individuals used PR to communicate with their publics to achieve certain goals, yet they may not have given their efforts the formal Public Relations term. In this modern day, and especially in this high tech, fast-paced society, does it become increasingly important to keep the â€Å"buzz† generated so that organizations and individuals can rise above the noise. Research Papers on The Definition of Public RelationsThe Project Managment Office SystemPETSTEL analysis of IndiaIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalStandardized TestingUnreasonable Searches and SeizuresBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfResearch Process Part OneThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoRelationship between Media Coverage and Social and

The Meanings and Origins of Common Greetings and Pleasantries

The Meanings and Origins of Common Greetings and Pleasantries The Meanings and Origins of Common Greetings and Pleasantries The Meanings and Origins of Common Greetings and Pleasantries By Mark Nichol Greetings and pleasantries, often uttered without sincerity or conviction as rote statements, are often also used without appreciation of their literal meanings. Here are the connotations and derivations of common comments. Adieu This French term, uttered by someone taking leave of others, is sometimes used by English speakers; it’s a contraction of â€Å"A dieu vous commant† (meaning â€Å"I commend you to God†). Adios The Spanish equivalent of â€Å"adieu† is also employed in English. Farewell This short version of â€Å"I hope you fare well† (fare here means â€Å"do†) was originally said as a parting comment to a person leaving the company of one or more other people; the departing person would traditionally respond â€Å"Good-bye.† Now, it is sometimes used in distinction with â€Å"Good-bye,† which has a connotation of finality, whereas â€Å"Farewell† implies that the parties will meet again. Good Day and Good Night These abbreviated versions of â€Å"I wish you a good day/night† are almost invariably said when a person parts company with one or more others. Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Good Evening Unlike â€Å"Good day† and â€Å"Good night,† these expressions are usually uttered as greetings at the appropriate time of day or night, though they are sometimes said in parting. Good-bye This comment, given when one party or another departs, is a contraction of â€Å"God be with ye†; it’s often spelled goodbye. Greetings The root word of this outdated but occasionally employed comment, an abbreviation of â€Å"I give you greetings,† originally meant â€Å"to come in contact with.† Hello The greeting hello likely derives from the Old High German call hala (also hola), meaning â€Å"fetch,† which was originally used to hail the operator of a ferryboat and expanded as general usage for getting someone’s attention and then as a greeting. A great variety of spellings, probably as a result of various pronunciations, persisted well into the twentieth century. Hello became more popular toward the end of the 1800s as it prevailed as the dominant form of greeting when calling someone on a telephone. Holler (meaning â€Å"a shout†), and possibly hullabaloo (meaning â€Å"a commotion†), are related. Hi â€Å"Hi,† used as an informal alternative to â€Å"Hello,† is unrelated to that word, though it also derives from a word used to attract attention: hey. It originally was uttered as an exclamation of surprise. How Do You Do? This pleasantry, often responded to with an identical greeting but sometimes returned with something like, â€Å"I am well. And how are you?† is nearly obsolete but survives in the contraction â€Å"Howdy,† which is used without affectation in some regions of the United States, though some people use it as a self-conscious colloquialism. Thank You This pleasantry, short for â€Å"I thank you† but still considered formal, is often replaced by â€Å"Thanks,† which derives from a different comment, â€Å"I give you thanks.† The colloquial â€Å"Thanks a lot† is often uttered sarcastically, so it should be avoided in writing; the same is true of â€Å"Thanks a million.† An even more casual alternative is â€Å"Thanx.† (Thank, by the way, is cognate with think.) Welcome The two parts of this greeting are misleading in their apparent etymological origins: The first half does not have anything to do with well, and the second half is only tangentially related to come. The first part of the Old English word wilcuma means â€Å"will† and the second part means â€Å"guest,† not â€Å"come†; the sentiment is that it was a host’s will that a guest would arrive. You’re Welcome This response to â€Å"Thank you† and its variants, a slight contraction of â€Å"You are welcome,† literally means that one should feel entitled to whatever cordiality or service one has received from the person who gives the response. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Rhetorical Devices for Rational Writing50 Synonyms for "Assistant"5 Tips to Understand Hyphenated Words