By: Eden Mae Sel Anajean Jandayan “WRITING THE EDITORIAL”
EDITORIAL DEFINEDIs the official stand of the paper on a
relevant development or issue.It is a critical interpretation of
significant events so that readers will be:
Informed
Entertained
Influenced
Characteristics of a Good Editorial
Interest Brevity Force
Clearness of styleMoral purposeSound reasoning Has the power to influence public opinion
Reddick Spears and Lawshe
Characteristics of a Good Editorial
lead logically to a conclusion
present only one idea avoid wordinesspresent facts and not
mere opinion
Also known as the Editorial Proper or Lead Editorial
The no. 1 editorial usually based on the banner news or on an existing issue that should be discussed right away
A graphic illustration or sketch that, like the top editorial, comments on an important or relevant issue
Sent in by an authority on any topic useful to the reader, especially on values, education or morality
Editorial ofInterpretation
Explains the significance or meaning of a news event, current idea, condition, or
situation, theory or hypothesis
Editorial ofCommendation,
Appreciation, or Tribute
Praises, commends, or pays tribute to a person or
organization
Editorial ofArgumentation
The editor argues in order to convince or persuade the reader to support his stand
Pooled Editorial
Position of several editors from different schools on a common issue or problem published in their respective school papers
at the same time
•Newspeg- a brief statement about the news event or issue
Parts of an EditorialIntroduction
Newspeg & ReactionUsually one short paragraph
BodyJustification of the reaction
Two to three short paragraphs
EndingPunch line or clincherSummarizes the editorial stand
Terminology
1. Make the editorial interesting enough to read.2. Develop it from one specific, limited idea, phrased in
one sentence, and expand it into the body of the editorial.
3. Have a purpose well in mind which should be accomplished with sufficient data.
4. Organize all data into well-reasoned arguments, with each argument leading up to the conclusion.
5. Peg the lead sentence on a recent relevant news for its impact value.
6. Present both sides of an issue and clarify tricky aspects with a widely understood analogy or with an illustration that makes understanding the information easier.
7.Direct the editorial towards the establishment of a consensus.
8.The writing should be simple, direct, clear, and forceful.
9. It should not carry a double meaning.10.It must reflect clear, logical thinking.11.The subject matter has to be significant.12.The sentences and paragraphs should be
relatively short as much as possible.
Questions:
• Are the form and style appropriate for the content and the purpose?
• Does it have a purpose and accomplish that purpose?
• Does it make the reader think?• Is it short and direct to the point?
Yes No
Questions:
• Does it hang from a real or an artificial newspeg?
• Was there no preaching?• Is it original and was it written
skillfully?• Is the writing simple, direct, clear,
and forceful?• Does it reflect clear, logical thinking?
Yes No
Questions:
• Is the subject matter significant to the students, the school, the community, and the country?
• Are the sentences and paragraphs comparatively short?
Yes No
“If a newspaper were a living thing, as I think it is, its news content may be the lifeblood, the front page may be its face but its editorials – its criticism and commentary – are its very soul. And when the editorials are flabby, complacent or irresponsible, then the newspaper has lost its soul – and also its character.”
- John B. Oakes, New York Times