writing editorial

Noel Saysay OrtegaNoel Saysay OrtegaCarmona, CaviteCarmona, Cavite

Writing Writing EditorialEditorial

The Editorial…The Editorial…Serves as the official view of Serves as the official view of the paper, reflecting the the paper, reflecting the opinions of many sides of an opinions of many sides of an issue. It is composed by an issue. It is composed by an editorial board which agrees editorial board which agrees on the topic and the view to on the topic and the view to present.present.

Editorial ContentEditorial Content1. Deals with a current issue which is 1. Deals with a current issue which is

affecting many readersaffecting many readers2. May attempt to influence, by giving 2. May attempt to influence, by giving

readers all the facts and concernsreaders all the facts and concerns3. Offer suggestions and indications as 3. Offer suggestions and indications as

to outcomesto outcomes

• SuggestionSuggestion-The business sector would do well to evaluate -The business sector would do well to evaluate people on the basis of merit than academic people on the basis of merit than academic degree.degree.

• ChallengeChallenge- If other schools can develop a culture of - If other schools can develop a culture of excellence, why can’t we?excellence, why can’t we?

• Rounding up or simple summaryRounding up or simple summary- The spate of scandals over government deals, - The spate of scandals over government deals, characterized by favoritism and influence characterized by favoritism and influence peddling, marks the government’s claims of peddling, marks the government’s claims of transparency. Worse, it undermines the transparency. Worse, it undermines the chances of the Philippines to recover from the chances of the Philippines to recover from the economic crisis.economic crisis.

Editorial ContentEditorial Content4. The opinion if offered, will not be an 4. The opinion if offered, will not be an

extreme view, but a well prepared extreme view, but a well prepared and informed one, taking into and informed one, taking into consideration many aspects from consideration many aspects from both sides of the debate.both sides of the debate.

ConstructionConstruction• An editorial presents the official view of An editorial presents the official view of

the paper, so it is a wisely thought outthe paper, so it is a wisely thought out• Clear and concise wording – free of Clear and concise wording – free of

emotive termsemotive terms• Usually balanced, presenting all aspects Usually balanced, presenting all aspects

of the situationof the situation• Written on an important topic often a Written on an important topic often a

deep seated problem within society which deep seated problem within society which is likely to be of interest or concerns to is likely to be of interest or concerns to many readers.many readers.

• Doesn’t normally include reported speechDoesn’t normally include reported speech

Editorial stories have:Editorial stories have:1.1. Introduction, body, solution and Introduction, body, solution and

conclusion like other news stories.conclusion like other news stories.2.2. An objective explanation of the An objective explanation of the

issue, especially complex issues.issue, especially complex issues.3.3. A timely news angle.A timely news angle.4.4. Opinions from the opposing Opinions from the opposing

viewpoint that directly refute the viewpoint that directly refute the same issues the writer addressessame issues the writer addresses

Editorial stories have:Editorial stories have:5. Good editorials engage issue, not 5. Good editorials engage issue, not

personalities and refrain from name-calling personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.or other petty tactics of persuasion.

6. Alternative solutions to the problem or 6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should about a problem, but a good editorial should take a proactive approach to making the take a proactive approach to making the situation better by using constructive situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions.criticism and giving solutions.

7. A solid and concise conclusion that 7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer’s opinion. powerfully summarizes the writer’s opinion. Give it some punch.Give it some punch.

Four Types of EditorialFour Types of Editorial1. Argument and Persuasion. It take a 1. Argument and Persuasion. It take a

firm stand on a problem or firm stand on a problem or condition. They attempt to persuade condition. They attempt to persuade the reader to think the same way. the reader to think the same way. This editorial proposes a solution or This editorial proposes a solution or advice taking some definite action.advice taking some definite action.

Four Types of EditorialFour Types of Editorial2. Information and Interpretation. 2. Information and Interpretation.

Attempt to explain the meaning or Attempt to explain the meaning or significance of a situation or news significance of a situation or news event. There is a wide variety of event. There is a wide variety of editorials in this category, ranging editorials in this category, ranging from those which provide from those which provide background information to those background information to those which identify issues.which identify issues.

Four Types of EditorialFour Types of Editorial3. Tribute, Appreciation or 3. Tribute, Appreciation or

Commendation. Praise a person, a Commendation. Praise a person, a group of person or an activitygroup of person or an activity

Four Types of EditorialFour Types of Editorial4. Entertainment. Has two categories: 4. Entertainment. Has two categories:

One is the short humorous treatment One is the short humorous treatment of a light topic. The second is a of a light topic. The second is a slightly satirical treatment of a slightly satirical treatment of a serious subject. (Satire is the use of serious subject. (Satire is the use of sarcasm or keen wit to denounce sarcasm or keen wit to denounce abuses or follies. While it ridicules or abuses or follies. While it ridicules or makes fun of a subject it has the makes fun of a subject it has the intent of improving it.)intent of improving it.)

Structure of EditorialStructure of Editorial• 1. Introduction – state the problem1. Introduction – state the problem• 2. Body – expresses an opinion2. Body – expresses an opinion• 3. Solution – offers a solution to the 3. Solution – offers a solution to the

problemproblem• 4. Conclusion – emphasizes the main 4. Conclusion – emphasizes the main

issue.issue.

Additional Tips on Additional Tips on structuring your opinion structuring your opinion

story:story:1.1. Lead with an objective explanation Lead with an objective explanation

of the issue or controversy.of the issue or controversy.Include the five W’s and the H. Pull Include the five W’s and the H. Pull in facts and quotations from in facts and quotations from sources which are relevant.sources which are relevant.


story:story:2. Present your opposition first.2. Present your opposition first.

As the writer you disagree with these As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you). Use (specifically who oppose you). Use facts and quotations to state facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions. Give a objectively their opinions. Give a strong position of the opposition. You strong position of the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting a weak gain nothing in refuting a weak position.position.


story:story:3. Directly refute the opposition’s 3. Directly refute the opposition’s

belief.belief.You can begin your article with You can begin your article with transition. Pull in other facts and transition. Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support quotations from people who support your position. Concede a valid point your position. Concede a valid point of the opposition which will make you of the opposition which will make you appear rational, one who has appear rational, one who has considered all the options.considered all the options.


story:story:4. Give other original reasons or 4. Give other original reasons or

analogies.analogies.In defense of your position, give In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest reasons from strong to strongest order. Use a literary or cultural order. Use a literary or cultural allusion that lends to your credibility allusion that lends to your credibility and perceived intelligence.and perceived intelligence.


story:story:5. Conclude with some punch.5. Conclude with some punch.

Give solutions to the problem or Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed.challenge the reader to be informed.A quotation can be effective, A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected especially if from a respected source. A rhetorical question can be source. A rhetorical question can be an effective concluder as well.an effective concluder as well.

How to write an opinion How to write an opinion piecepiece

• Think of an opinion piece as a Think of an opinion piece as a persuasive essay: the writer has an persuasive essay: the writer has an opinion or a point of view on an issue opinion or a point of view on an issue and he or she wants to convince the and he or she wants to convince the reader to agree. This is not as easy as reader to agree. This is not as easy as it may seem.it may seem.1. You must research your topic and 1. You must research your topic and find out what’s happening and what find out what’s happening and what went on in the past.went on in the past.


2. You must know the facts and be able 2. You must know the facts and be able to refer to them in your argument.to refer to them in your argument.

3. Pretend you are a lawyer and you are 3. Pretend you are a lawyer and you are making a case before a jury. You will making a case before a jury. You will want to convince the members of the want to convince the members of the jury to believe that your client is jury to believe that your client is right. Therefore you need to present right. Therefore you need to present as much evidence as you can that as much evidence as you can that proves the point. You do the same proves the point. You do the same when you write a column or editorial.when you write a column or editorial.


4. Start your editorial with a basic 4. Start your editorial with a basic premise or theme.premise or theme.

5. Use facts and details to back up 5. Use facts and details to back up your opinion and help you make your your opinion and help you make your case.case.

6. Leave your readers with a lasting 6. Leave your readers with a lasting impression – strong point that will impression – strong point that will make them consider your point of make them consider your point of view.view.

Use illustrative Use illustrative example:example:Mrs. Pedrosa looks over her class record. Mrs. Pedrosa looks over her class record.

Just about 75’s as 70’s after Mikki’s name. Just about 75’s as 70’s after Mikki’s name. Shall it be 75% or a 70%? But she Shall it be 75% or a 70%? But she remembers how frequently Mikki comes in remembers how frequently Mikki comes in just a little late. The assignment or lesson just a little late. The assignment or lesson must be repeated. The other 35 students must be repeated. The other 35 students mark time while the annoyed teacher mark time while the annoyed teacher gives her private student her lesson. Do gives her private student her lesson. Do you blame her for deciding with a vicious you blame her for deciding with a vicious jot of her ballpen, that Mikki got a 70?jot of her ballpen, that Mikki got a 70?


7. Don’t preach to the reader. A good 7. Don’t preach to the reader. A good editorial will make readers take editorial will make readers take notice of the situation and form their notice of the situation and form their own opinions on the issue.own opinions on the issue.

Example:Example:SuccessSuccess

You ought to work hard in high school if you You ought to work hard in high school if you want to be a success in life. For with the work want to be a success in life. For with the work you are doing here, you are laying the basis for you are doing here, you are laying the basis for the work you will do later in life, and you want to the work you will do later in life, and you want to make sure that you have the right foundation.make sure that you have the right foundation.Look at most successful men today. You will find Look at most successful men today. You will find that they worked hard while they were in school.that they worked hard while they were in school.You should not waste time. You ought to try hard You should not waste time. You ought to try hard to make good. Most of our alumni who have been to make good. Most of our alumni who have been successful made good grades while here.successful made good grades while here.


8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an 8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the readers’ mind.idea into the readers’ mind.

9. Keep it to 500 words; make every 9. Keep it to 500 words; make every word counts; never use “I”.word counts; never use “I”.

I wish you could writeI wish you could write

•NumerousNumerous•OutstandingOutstanding•EditorialEditorial•LiteratureLiterature

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