Writing Editorials
Before writing an editorial, discuss the following questions:
1. How do editirials differ from news stories and opinion columns.
2. What is the purpose of an editorial?
3. Why do publishers choose to have editorials?
4. What part does research play in the writing of an editorail?
5. How can an editorial, whose functionms is to present an opinion, still be fair?
6. Why is it unfair to print an editorial on an controversial topic without alos having a straight news story on the same topic in your newspaer, either on that day or earlier?
7. Why might it take courage for a publisher to have eitorials in his /her paper that take sides in controversial isssues? Why might a small town newdspaper publisher require more courage than other publishers, in that respect?
1. Don't try to cover too much territory in a single editorial. You can't say everything you know or think about a given subject in a single piece..
2. You can't write eeditorials off the top of your heard, in an emotional heat, or to expound your prejudices.
3. This don't mean an editorial should never be emotional, but it must always be rational.
4. The editorial must be strong, well-reasoned and gracefully written.
5. The editorial should give credit to pints on the other side of the issue, but it is by no means required to be evenhanded.
6. The ideas must flow from paragraph to paragraph.
7. An editoraial must be dignified at the same time as it takes any tone the writer wishes. There is a place for humor. sarcasm, anger or even outrage, but it must be handled with dignity, taste and maturity.
The structure of an editorial:
1. Opening: information and /or background, such as news, facts or a brief review of the news, event, situation or occasion that provoked the editorial.
2. Middle: comments or criticism, with supporting arguments and facts.
3. Close: suggestions and solutions. What the writer wants the reader to do or think.
The editorial's functions: to influence the thoughts, opinions, and actions of readers. An editorial may have one or more of these purposes:
See an example of an editorial from the New York Times