What Is an Editorial and How to Write One

Editorial articles interpret events, persuade readers to adopt new ideas or beliefs, congratulate a person or group and offer constructive criticism of those in the public eye. The main objective of an editorial is to persuade the reader to take the writer’s position on an issue by presenting thoroughly researched points and counterpoints.

Editorials aim to help readers understand complex issues through a balanced presentation of facts and opinions. Editorials thoroughly analyze current events from a stance that aligns with one side of an issue.

What Is an Editorial Article?

An editorial article is a written piece that focuses on the author’s opinion of a current event or social issue. They often appear in newspapers, magazines or journals. 

The goal of an editorial article is to convince the reader to change their opinion to match that of the author. These short essays typically provide an opinion, praise a group or a person or argue in favor of a specific viewpoint or belief. 

Types of Editorials 

There are several types of editorials (each using fact and opinion to persuade, inform or congratulate). Each serves a specific audience and presents facts and opinions using a different lens. The most popular types of editorial articles include: 

Interpretive 

Interpretative editorials go beyond facts and hard evidence. These editorials provide context about a current event or controversial issue. Interpretive editorials attempt to raise awareness about important social issues and discuss why the issues are important to the reader. 

Persuasive 

Persuasive editorials appeal to the reader’s interests and attempt to entice them to take action. Persuasive pieces are popular with readers interested in social change or political causes. 

Critical

Critical editorial pieces explore the “why” behind a problem and suggest a solution. Critical pieces may critique specific governmental policies or decisions made by lawmakers.

Appreciative

Appreciative editorials provide thanks to an organization or person based on their actions surrounding an event or involvement in an issue. An example of an appreciative editorial piece would be an author or newspaper editorial board praising the efforts of nurses who responded to a natural disaster. 

What Is an Editorial in a Newspaper?

Editorials in a newspaper may be written by or on behalf of an editor or a newspaper’s board. Consensus often rules the day when it comes to a newspaper approving a specific editorial topic. 

How to Write an Editorial

While editorial topics may focus on varying social issues and current events, there is a process that writers follow to write quality editorial articles. Follow these steps to craft an editorial that isn’t shrugged off as an uninteresting or fluff piece: 

Choose an Interesting Topic

Interesting editorial topics keep readers’ eyes on the page. Remember that the topic should lend itself to multiple viewpoints, and the writer should be able to argue each point by providing concrete evidence based on fact (not just a baseless opinion). If a topic isn’t relevant to readers (complete with an eye-catching title and lead-in), there's a risk of losing readers as soon as they click on the article. 

An editorial article’s topic should be specific and focused enough for readers to wrap their heads around. The most engaging editorials tend to be free of distracting tangents and useless information. 

Example 

A newspaper editor may choose to write an editorial focusing on the effects of businesses dumping waste into rivers and creeks in his county versus discussing the topic on a larger-scale level, such as discussing the nation’s fight against pesticides and corporate waste. 

Research Topic 

The next step is to thoroughly research the topic or social issue the piece will present. This might include conducting in-person interviews, reading firsthand accounts and collecting well-researched evidence to support the argument. 

What’s most important is that the article includes as much primary research as possible to support the premise and evaluate whether the evidence supports the position the piece is taking.  

Identify a Main Point or Thesis

During the research phase, it may become evident that there are multiple opinions and facts on an issue. It is important to adopt one main point or thesis that is clear and concise enough to argue and present to readers.

Example

It is harmful for companies to dump toxic waste into local rivers and creeks. This toxic waste should be safely stored and disposed of properly to avoid harm occurring to local wildlife and water supplies intended for human consumption. 

Organize Evidence and Counterarguments

Compile conclusive and irrefutable evidence (and counterpoints) to explain why the thesis (or main argument) makes sense. Evidence should persuade readers to agree with the editorial’s main argument. The article needs to present clear evidence that supports each point. 

It also helps to organize each counterargument and the evidence that refutes it in an orderly way. This ensures each section of the article remains focused. 

It is a good idea to arrange the evidence supporting the article’s central thesis and argument on a table, structured so that the arguments and evidence are clear and logical in order. 

Create an Outline

Completing a robust and detailed outline is one of the most helpful steps in writing a great editorial article. An outline helps keep ideas and evidence organized and ensures the editorial article flows well. 

An outline begins with the introduction, which presents a main thesis or argument and touches lightly on some of the evidence the editorial will discuss. 

The outline format will vary depending on the type of editorial. The writer should list each main point separately, along with supporting evidence and counter arguments within the same section. At the end of the editorial, include a conclusion summarizing the key points and reiterating the main thesis of the piece. 

Start the Writing Process

The writing process begins after the outline is complete. Fill in any details that expand upon the main points and thesis. Some writers prefer to start at the middle of the article, leaving the introduction to “write itself” after fleshing out the article’s important points. 

Many writers find starting to write one of the most difficult parts of writing. It might be helpful to look back to the outline for inspiration or help brainstorming ideas. Writing in a distraction-free area can also help jump-start the process.

Proofread Work

After completing the editorial, proofread the piece for grammar, spelling and flow issues that could keep the reader from focusing on what’s important: the main idea and evidence supporting the article’s position. 

Characteristics of a Good Editorial 

Good editorials follow a specific pattern and include many of the same basic elements. No matter the type of editorial, a few strategies aid in keeping readers focused and interested. 

It is important that, after finishing an editorial, a reader is more informed on the topic’s substance. Ultimately, the goal is to provide enough persuasive and irrefutable evidence that the reader is more aligned with the author’s arguments than when they began. 

Clear Focus

The most effective editorial articles remain focused on a main thesis or idea. These articles seldom include fluff or information that doesn’t support the main argument of the piece. 

One of the most effective strategies is to keep the piece decisive and clear of wishy-washy language or ideas that waver from one side of an issue to another.

Fact-Supported Claims

Actual facts should support any claims or opinions the article makes. Writers should thoroughly research every point they make to ensure they include the most accurate information possible.

Evidence From Reliable Sources 

The evidence presented in an editorial article should be strong. It shouldn’t be from random websites, non-peer-reviewed journals or sensational tabloids. Ideally, evidence will come from primary research. This might include:

• Firsthand accounts or interviews
• Surveys (online or mail)
• Focus groups 

In addition to primary research, secondary research is often accepted for supporting an opinion. Secondary research includes data collected from sources such as: 

• Websites
• Libraries
• Government studies
• Medical data

Logical Flow of Ideas 

An editorial piece should walk through each idea in a logical order that functions like a story. A smooth flow of ideas makes for more robust storytelling and contributes to a pleasant reading experience, thereby leaving the reader more open to persuasion. 

The outline process should take care of much of the legwork to build a logical flow of ideas and evidence supporting your main argument. 

Engaging Topic 

Editorials should be fact-based pieces on engaging topics that prompt the audience to ask questions that the author and evidence answer. In other words, the most effective editorial articles maintain the reader’s interest. 

Correct Grammar and Punctuation  

Who wants to read an editorial piece with poor grammar and punctuation? It hurts the writer or editorial board’s credibility and can lead readers to disregard a piece. 

Show readers attention to detail matters when by correcting grammar and punctuation. It is important to have an editing process in place to ensure the author’s message lands as clearly as possible.

What Is Editorial Style? 

Editorial style is a set of guidelines or guardrails editors use to help make sure your words and sentences are as clear and compelling as possible. 

Editorial style: 

• Ensures consistency across pieces by providing guidelines for grammar, spelling, punctuation and word usage.
• Enforces quality standards.
• Helps writers grow by nurturing their strengths and assisting them in identifying areas of growth.
• Keeps writing, tone and voice true to an editorial board's voice or mission.

Why Editors Are Important 

Editors help shape a piece and ensure that writers stick to their intended goal. Editors look out for writing quality issues, correct grammar and punctuation and make sure a piece flows smoothly. Editors also act as a second set of eyes that help to root out issues that the writer may not initially catch during their self-revision process.

Editors also work with writers to perfect the clarity of ideas while ensuring evidence is as strong as possible to support the main idea of the piece.

Considering a Writing Career? 

Writing is often described as a labor of love. A career as a professional writer in any context requires the ability to be perseverant and self-aware. Some of the more common writing careers include: 

• Novelist
• Songwriter
• Short story writer
• Blogger
• Copywriter
• Journalist 
• Technical writer

Whichever type of writing a person pursues, it is important to be open to learning new techniques and strategies to improve pieces. Successful writers are introspective and look for bias (internal or external) that may skew a piece.

Prospective writers should begin by reading as much as possible and identifying writing styles that align with their interests and the content they hope to produce in the future. Many writing careers begin by completing an internship or starting a blog. 

Simply putting pencil to paper also can help kick-start the arduous journey of being a professional writer. 

Top Takeaways

What Is an Editorial?

• There are several different types of editorial articles, including interpretive, persuasive, critical and appreciative.
• Editorial articles should be fact-based and well-researched to sufficiently argue the article’s central thesis.
• Good editorial essays are free of punctuation and grammar mistakes. 
• Editors look out for writing quality issues, correct grammar and punctuation. They also work with the writer to perfect the clarity of ideas.

(Reporting by NPD)