Tips On Writing Fact Sheets

Fact sheets are one-page handouts, usually in bullet form, with quick and important facts about an issue. For a sample fact sheet click here.

Some tips about fact sheets:

• Fact sheets are great vehicles for statistics that catch the eye. Reporters often use them as background if they are writing a story on that particular subject.
   
• Fact sheets should be short, and should not include quotes from your spokesperson. Stick to the facts.
   
• Fact sheets should include facts, and not your opinions. You'll do yourself no favors if you demonstrate to reporters that you don't distinguish between facts and opinion.
   
• Don't forget to include at the top of the document a name and phone number of someone the media can contact to follow up. Be sure to date the document.

Sample Fact Sheet: [Top]

AFTERSCHOOL FACTS   The after school hours are a concern in every community and for most American families. More than 28 million children have either both parents or their only parent in the workforce. 1   14.3 million children return home to empty houses after school. In working families - those where both parents or a single parent hold a job - nearly one in three children are looking after themselves.2   Working mothers' number one concern is the safety of their children, especially in the after school hours. These fears outrank concerns about the quality or funding of their education. 3   Voters across party lines, demographic groups, and geographic areas have said for five consecutive years that they overwhelmingly support afterschool programs for all. 4 Afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire learning and help working families. Research shows that participation in afterschool programs improves school attendance and performance, increases expectations for the future, and much more. Juvenile crime triples during the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Youth in afterschool programs are 50% less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs. 5   Youth in the Quantum Opportunities afterschool program are 50% less likely to drop out of high school and 2 ½ times more likely to pursue higher education.   Principals and administrators frequently cite afterschool programs as a reason for school improvement. 6   Students in California improved their standardized test scores (SAT-9) in both reading and math by percentages almost twice that of other students and also had better school attendance.   Afterschool programs also provide a natural platform for kids to get physically active, to explore arts and music, and to address the most pressing concerns facing our young people today. In afterschool programs, youth can develop new skills and talents, and get help with tough subjects. Afterschool programs are a sound investment. Every dollar invested in afterschool programs saves taxpayers $3. 7   An evaluation of a state afterschool program in California showed that the state was likely to save $11 million because fewer students would be held back in school.   Afterschool programs make parents more productive workers. Not having afterschool care causes parents to miss 8 days of work per year. These parents are more frequently interrupted by non-work issues, make more errors, turn down requests to work overtime, and miss meetings because of non-work issues. 8   Police chiefs, sheriffs and prosecutors overwhelmingly agree that investing in afterschool programs is more effective in reducing youth violence and crime than hiring more police officers or greater punitive measures. 9 US Department of Labor Return America After 3PM Survey, JCPenney Afterschool Fund and the Afterschool Alliance, 2004. Return Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Working Mother Poll, 2003. Return National Afterschool Polls, Afterschool Alliance, 1999-2004. Return Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Return National Association of Elementary School Principals, 2001. Return Rose Institute at Claremont McKenna College, 2002 Return Brandeis University, 2004 Return Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Poll, 2002. Return