Editorial Writing Tips

Definition An editorial usually represents the newspapers opinion/summary/evaluation on the particular issue. It reflects the majority decision. General guidelines: - Critique. An editorial of this kind reacts immediately on the latest events, severely criticizing them. It is written to suggest a way out, but mostly it is there to show the problem. - Praising. Rarely seen, these editorials usually draws audiences attention to people or organizations that contributed to development of general well-being, and show the details on how it was done. - Explaining. A newspaper has the main topic it is built around. As an editor, you need to explain why the issue is devoted to a chosen topic, and make connections between readers comprehension and the materials published. - Persuading. This editorial will stir up readers to take a certain position (usually the one that the editor suggests) on a certain issue, and immediately start looking for the solution. Tips: A good idea for an explanation editorial is schools new rules that have to be brought over to all the students. Just dont fall into blank criticizing of cold bagels and poor-quality fries in a school cafeteria. Choose issues that are really significant. The Structure An editorial is first of all a text. And it is built in accordance with the main rules of text writing. General guidelines: - Introduction. Answer the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, why). This will state the purpose for writing, and show the key in which it is written. - Main Body. Identify your opposition, show why it is wrong, and give your reasons. - Conclusion. Give solutions. It is critical, for if you raised the issue, you are considered an expert that knows how to deal with it. You can also end up with a famous quotation, or a rhetorical question. Tip: Some editors prefer to give away less strong arguments first, and save the best for last. How to Write Better Editorial Articles by Brian Konradt

Writing an editorial article may be one of the most satisfying forms of writing, especially for journalists trained to be objective at all costs. An editorial article can be about anything and from any standpoint. As long as you have an opinion and can support it with facts, you have the makings of an interesting piece. We all have opinions, right? Yet not all of us are editorial writers and not all editorials are worth reading. What exactly makes an editorial article good -- and how do you write one? KNOW YOUR THESIS Too many people begin writing their topic with only a vague sense of opinion, never honing, or refining, that opinion into something sharp and distinctive. Be sure to have a solid grasp of what youre arguing and why youre arguing. Think about your topic and why youve chosen it first. What elements of the argument call to you? What angers or pleases you about this issue? Keep these things in mind as you begin to write. MINE THE DATA An editorial is only as good as its facts. Sure, you may think the death penalty is wrong and worthy of outlaw, but without backing it up with data, you have nothing but a half-formed opinion. Get the backstory, understand your argument inside-out. Research every aspect of your topic and cite as many facts as possible; generalities are the death of interesting editorials. CONSIDER THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Dont pigeonhole yourself into writing from majoritys opinion just because you can make easy arguments. Think long and hard about your position on the chosen issue and write from the standpoint that makes the most sense to you. Never, ever, ever compromise your beliefs for the sake of a byline. AVOID HYPERBOLE Sure, exaggerating slightly is expected during a heated face-to-face, but hyperbole has no place in a well-written editorial. You can rarely back up statements such as always and never with factual data, so stay away from them unless the hyperbole has a definite, and obvious, literary purpose. Typically, including these words will make your editorial prone to justifiable, and often fatal, criticism. UNDERSTAND THE OPPOSITION The only way to create a fully formed editorial with tons of depth and poignancy is to understand what the other side is arguing. Research opposing viewpoints with the same voracious energy as the ones with which you line up. Take the time to understand what the other side is arguing and why; after all, you can only combat a particular argument if you know exactly what that argument is. from the Internet