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Editorial writing
- 2. EDITORIAL WRITING • An editorial is an article that states the newspaper’s ideas on an issue. • These ideas are presented as opinion. • Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. • In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.
- 3. EDITORIAL WRITING • According to Webster's Dictionary an editorial is "an article in a publication expressing the opinion of its publishers or editors.“ • Editorials appear on the newspaper’s editorial page, a page which includes editorials, columns, opinion articles, reviews and cartoons. • If the paper contains more than one opinion page, the others are called op-ed pages. • Another important item that appears on the newspaper’s editorial page is the masthead, also known as a staff box, which includes a statement providing the details of publication.
- 4. EDITORIAL WRITING • Since a newspaper is not a living, breathing human being, it cannot form these ideas or opinions. • However, the editorial board is made up of living, breathing human beings who determine, hopefully by consensus, the opinions that will be presented in the editorial. • The editorial board is a group of people, usually the top editors, who decide on a plan for each editorial that will appear in a newspaper.
- 5. EDITORIAL WRITING • Please note that editorials are not written by the regular reporters of the news organization, in fact, most major newspapers have a strict policy of keeping "editorial" and "news" staffs separate. • That’s why editorials are written without any by-line. • Most editorial pieces take the form of an essay or thesis, using arguments to promote a point of view. • Requirements for article length varies according to each publication's guidelines, as do a number of other factors such as style and topic. An average editorial is 750 words or less. • But this length can vary depending upon the need and requirement.
- 6. CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL • An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper’s opinion on an issue. • It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. • It is usually unsigned. • Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. • Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.
- 7. CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL • Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories • An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues • A timely news angle • Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses • The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name- calling or other petty tactics of persuasion. • Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions. • A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer’s opinion. Give it some punch.
- 8. WHAT SHOULD A EDITORIAL DO? • CRITICIZE OR ATTACK: If they criticize, they require suggestions for change. If you launch an attack against something, you must be impeccable in your charge. An attack is forceful; criticism does not have to be forceful, but it has to be held down with facts and suggestions for change. • DEFEND: Stand up for an individual or an institution that is under attack by society. • ENDORSE: But you must give solid reasons for your endorsement of a political candidate, an issue, or the reasons behind building a new gymnasium. • COMPLIMENT: Show evidence that the compliment is deserved. Do praise when warranted.
- 9. WHAT SHOULD A EDITORIAL DO? • INSTIGATE, ADVOCATE OR APPEAL: To instigate editorially would mean that the newspaper intended to go on a crusade for something--improvements in the school syllabus for example. Or you might advocate that this be accomplished by backing suggestions put out by (Parents or alumni) school committee that studied the problem. An appeal editorial might mean that you’d encourage people to donate to a school fund drive or vote for a tax levy increase. • ENTERTAIN: An entertaining editorial is good for the reader’s soul, but it should have a worthwhile point and should be written about something worth the reader’s time. • PREDICT: Support your predictions with fact.
- 10. ACCORDING TO G. SMITH - IS THE ROLE OF A NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL TO? • advocate for the rights of individuals • be strictly accurate, • bring down a government, • criticize act as a voice for the ruling class, • government policies, • fight for the freedom of the press, • indicate preferred foreign policy directions, • nurture enlightened values, • preach, • set a high tone for debate, • suppress important facts, • Promote critical thinking?
- 11. QUALITIES OF A GOOD EDITORIAL: • Clarity -Precise conveyance of ideas • Colour -Using words that evoke images • Concreteness -Being specific • Economy -Making every word count • Tone -The general impression of the writing • Tempo -The pace (how the writing moves- fluency) • Variety -Vary word choice, sentences, length, and sentence structure
- 12. WRITING AN EDITORIAL: • Invention: choose an issue • Your editorial could be about how the readers could help the environment, inform the public about a particular endangered species, praise an effort by a group who has helped to take an endangered animal off the endangered species list or any other idea that can be used as an editorial.
- 13. WRITING AN EDITORIAL: • Collection: gather support • Gather as many details to convince others about your opinion. (Facts or evidence, written statements from sources or authorities in the subject (experts), comparisons to similar situations to support your argument, pictures or images that strengthen your argument, be able to counter argue your opponents on this issue.) • Organization: stretch from straight forward opening to closing
- 14. WRITING AN EDITORIAL: • Drafting: write the first draft • Body should have clear and accurate details and examples. Give strong arguments in beginning of editorial and at the end. Show the opposing arguments and their weaknesses. Offer a solution at the end. Do not be wishy washy. Stick to your argument or opinion.
- 15. WRITING AN EDITORIAL: • Revising: get it right • Your editorial should be clear and forceful. Avoid attacking others, do not preach, paragraphs should be brief and direct. Give examples and illustrations. Be honest and accurate. Don't be too dramatic. • Proofreading: check the language Check content, format and mechanics
- 16. STRUCTURING AN EDITORIAL: • Whatever type of editorial you write, it must be built around a logical framework. It must have a/an: • Introduction: To get the reader’s attention • Body: To persuade the reader • Conclusion: To prompt the reader into action
- 17. AN EFFECTIVE FORMULA FOR EDITORIAL WRITING IS SPECS. • State the problem or situation; • Position on the problem; • Evidence to support the position; • Conclusions: Who’s affected and how; state and refute the position of the other side • Solutions to the problem: At least two.
- 18. DO’S: • Change abstractions into living examples • Highlight emotional hooks - a warm positive tone is essentials • Soften criticism; never divide your readership • Speak as the voice of the whole community • Tie the editorial to a news item or current issue of public concern • Show a local flavor; local loyalties and interests relate to readers • Beware legal challenges over reputations • Avoid a preachy tone and rhetorical flourishes • Convert statistics into factions • Simplify grammar and vocabulary
- 19. DO’S: • Limit questions to a minimum; your task is to offer answers • Clarify your point of view before beginning; state a Headline. • Establish your authority, credibility • Simplify expressions; talk plainly. • Focus on three points only • Avoid language knots: in which, through which., of which... • Avoid lists; avoid "First, second ...” etc. • Avoid need to cross reference: not "as was said above." name it again. • Avoid dialogue. It is not a novel. • Avoid "I you me" pronouns; use a plural voice = the community
- 20. DON’TS: • The singular pronoun "I" • Falsehoods, suppositions, exaggerations • Libel and defamation • Advocate anything illegal • Long paragraphs • Subheadings
- 21. DON’TS: • Difficult, technical words • Grammatical knots, confused writing • Questions to finish • Forget to devise and include a headline • Ignore the obvious • Vague ambiguous references, the unattached "It".