EditorialsChapters 12.1 – 12.3

Editorials

• Voice of the Newspaper• Subjective vs. Objective• Opinion • Point of View

Fact vs. Opinion

• Facts are truths• Facts can be empirically

proven true or false• Opinion is point of view• Opinion is the expression

of one side of an argument, interpretation or position

Types of Editorials

• Persuade• Explain• Praise• Criticize• Entertain

Writing the Editorial

• Find a topic• Follow the structure

The Structure of an EditorialIntroduction

lays out the issue, concern or problemcites the source

Reactionof all parties to the problem

Details and Argumentsaddresses opposing points of viewstates your position – offers a solutionoffers facts and details in support

Conclusionrestates your positionissues a call to action

Writing ColumnsChapter 12.2

What is a column?An article that:- expresses the opinion of the writer- Regularly occurring series of articles by same

writer

Column Writers- Express unique point of view- Permitted to be opinionated- Permitted to develop their own voice- Permitted to develop own style of writing

Editorial Opinion Columns- Appear on editorial page or op-ed page- Offer opposing viewpoints on issues / events in which paper takes interest- Put their own spin on local, national, or world events- Strong and consistent point of view- Can agree or disagree with staff editorial- Signed or bylined- Can be written in less formal language than an editorial, and given more

space- Same writing structure as editorial: introduction, reaction, details and

argument, and conclusion

Feature Columns- Takes time to develop art of writing feature

column- Writers come up with ideas on their own- Researched, educated arguments- Inform, entertain, or challenge readers

Beat Columns- No limit to beat areas- Food, religion, real estate, business, television,

celebrity, technology, etc.- Can insert opinion or analysis that news

reporters cannot

Humor Columns- Not easy being funny- Pacing is important- Get to the point or punchline quickly

Editorial Cartoons- Sometimes accompanies or complements staff

editorial- Use symbols or caricature to represent person- Simple, addressing one topic

Your Assignment- Pretend you and your partner are columnists for USA Today- Choose any issue, person, celebrity, news item, issue, sporting event in your assigned newspaper- Both of you will write a column together on this subject- You must come up with a name for your column, such as “Sports Shorts,” “The E-Line,” or “Bizz Buzz”- You and your partner will take a picture together to appear on the byline- Your column should be at least five paragraphs long- It can be serious, humorous, informative, or argumentative- Your column will be a minimum of 5 paragraphs- It will include an introduction, a reaction, details and arguments, and a conclusion- You will have 15 minutes to choose a subject, and the remainder of the block to type the column in

Computer Lab 411- Type it in straight block style- Don’t print it; save it on Mr. White’s thumb drive

Writing ReviewsChapter 12.3

- Views or opinions of the writer about entertainment, art, products, or services

- Music, fashion, plays, concerts, books, movies, television shows, etc.

- Cars, trucks, restaurants, appliances, cleaning products, software, rollercoasters, etc.

Subjects

- Reviewers should write about things that impassion them

Movies and Television- Information plus opinion- Plot summary important, but shouldn’t give

away too much- Compare the work with artist’s previous

projects, or others like it

The Devil’s In The Details

Details, not generalities:

Bad: The John Mayer concert was fantastic.

Good:John Mayer played for two hours. He included crowd-

pleasing hits, mixed with new material. He charmed his fans with friendly banter.

Movies and TelevisionBad:

“fabulous,” “fantastic,” or “enthralling”Good:

Specific scene you like or dislikeSignature lines

CriticsWriters who specialize in reviewing arts and entertainment are called reviewers or critics.They actually study the medium.

Some Examples

• http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/need-for-speed-2014

• http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/divergent/

• http://www.pluggedin.com/movies/intheaters/300-rise-of-an-empire.aspx

Your Assignment: The Top Ten- Take your smartphone out- Plug in your ear buds- Choose ten songs- Turn this list of songs into a ranked list, with #1 being the best- Can be “The perfect playlist for…” or “The top ten songs of all time,”

etc.- Next to each song, write a one-sentence commentary which explains

what is in the song, why the song is included on your list, what makes the song great, etc. Include specifics.

Mr. White’s Top Ten Romantic Songsof All Time

#1 The Chainsmokers - #SELFIE. This song captures the romance and splendor of redirected solo photography.#2 DJ Snake and Lil Jon – Turn Down for What? An eternal question is answered in this simple romantic ballad of lost love and lost opportunities.#3 etc…etc…