Defining Public Relations

Defining Public Relations

University of Phoenix

MKT438

Instructor:

June 27, 2005

This paper has been prepared to define the words "Public Relations". My personal definition of the words "Public Relations," is the science of persuasion or modifying the thought process of an audience to accept or agree with information that has been presented. I believe that the word "Public" means any person or audience beyond the PR person. The word "Relations" is the relationship between the audience and the presenter. Both definitions combined make public relations a perfect fit for the task it was designed for, Public or audience and relations or presenter.

In the book "The Practice of Public Relations, Ninth Edition", the definition of public relations is a planned process to influence public opinion, through sound character and proper performance, based on mutually satisfactory two-way communications. This would be the author's definition of this profession. This is the start of the many types and definitions of a profession that has endless possibilities and a never ending story.

There are many other descriptions of what "Public Relations" or PR stands for, as scholar S. I. Stuber referred to PR as "The degree of understanding and goodwill achieved between an individual, organization, institute and the public

"public relations" Merriam Ð'- Webster's Third New International Dictionary Unabridged

http://www.mwu.eb.com/mwu

Accessed June 24, 2005

The Practice of Public Relations, Ninth