The document defines an editorial as the official stance of a newspaper on relevant issues intended to inform, entertain, and influence readers. It discusses the key attributes of effective editorials such as brevity, clarity, and sound reasoning. Various types of editorials are outlined including those that provide information, interpretation, criticism, commendation, argumentation, or entertainment. Guidelines are provided for writing editorials such as developing a single, limited idea; organizing arguments logically; and keeping the writing simple, direct, and forceful. The document stresses the importance of editorials in reflecting a newspaper's character and soul.

1. By: Eden Mae Selim
Anajean Jandayan
“WRITING THE
EDITORIAL”

2. EDITORIAL DEFINED
Is the official stand of the paper on a
relevant development or issue.
It is a critical interpretation of significant
events so that readers will be:
Informed
Entertained
Influenced

3. Interest
Brevity
Force
Clearness of style
Moral purpose
Sound reasoning
Has the power to influence
public opinion
Reddick Spears and Lawshe

4. lead logically to a
conclusion
present only one idea
 avoid wordiness
present facts and not
mere opinion

6. Also known as the Editorial Proper
or Lead Editorial
The no. 1 editorial usually based
on the banner news or on an existing
issue that should be discussed right
away

7. An individual commentary of a
columnist

8. A graphic illustration or sketch that,
like the top editorial, comments on an
important or relevant issue

10. Sent to the staff by an outsider to
complain or appreciate

11. Sent in by an authority on any topic
useful to the reader, especially on
values, education or morality

13. Editorial of
Information
It seeks to give information on facts
unknown to the reader.

14. Editorial of
Interpretation
Explains the significance or
meaning of a news event, current
idea, condition, or situation, theory or
hypothesis

15. Editorial of
Criticism
Points out the good or the bad
features of a problem or situation in a
news

16. Editorial of
Commendation,
Appreciation, or Tribute
Praises, commends, or pays
tribute to a person or
organization

17. Editorial of
Argumentation
The editor argues in order to
convince or persuade the reader
to support his stand

18. Editorial of
Entertainment
Its main aim is to entertain

19. Mood Editorial
It presents a philosophy rather
than an argument or an
explanation

20. Special Occasion
It explains the significance of a
special day.

21. Pooled Editorial
Position of several editors from
different schools on a common issue or
problem published in their respective
school papers at the same time

22. Guest Editorial
Opinion sent to the staff by an
authority of a particular topic.

23. Letter to the Editor
Sent by an outsider to the
staff

24. Sample letter to the editor:

25. •Newspeg- a brief
statement about
the news
event or issue
Introduction
Newspeg & Reaction
Usually one short
paragraph
Body
Justification of the
reaction
Two to three short
paragraphs
Ending
Punch line or clincher

26. 1. Make the editorial interesting enough to read.
2. Develop it from one specific, limited idea, phrased in one
sentence, and expand it into the body of the editorial.
3. Have a purpose well in mind which should be
accomplished with sufficient data.
4. Organize all data into well-reasoned arguments, with each
argument leading up to the conclusion.
5. Peg the lead sentence on a recent relevant news for its
impact value.
6. Present both sides of an issue and clarify tricky aspects
with a widely understood analogy or with an illustration
that makes understanding the information easier.

27. 7.Direct the editorial towards the establishment of a
consensus.
8.The writing should be simple, direct, clear, and
forceful.
9. It should not carry a double meaning.
10.It must reflect clear, logical thinking.
11.The subject matter has to be significant.
12.The sentences and paragraphs should be
relatively short as much as possible.

28. An EDITORIAL may start with a …
Simple Sentence

29. An EDITORIAL may start with a …
Question

30. An EDITORIAL may start with a …
Striking
Statement

31. An EDITORIAL may start with a …
Quotation

32. An EDITORIAL may start with a …
Narrative

34. Win the
readers’
interest.

35. Do NOT
generalize.

36. Keep your
editorial
short.

37. Do NOT
preach,
scold, or
moralize.

38. Relate
editorials
to readers’
lives.

39. Avoid using
the first
person
POV.

40. Write
simply.

41. Develop the
editorial
one idea at
a time.

42. Make
sentences
and
paragraphs
short.

43. Accomplish
your
purpose.

44. Checklist
Evaluating your work…

45. Questions:
• Are the form and style appropriate for
the content and the purpose?
• Does it have a purpose and
accomplish that purpose?
• Does it make the reader think?
• Is it short and direct to the point?
Yes No





46. Questions:
• Does it hang from a real or an
artificial newspeg?
• Was there no preaching?
• Is it original and was it written
skillfully?
• Is the writing simple, direct, clear,
and forceful?
• Does it reflect clear, logical thinking?
Yes No






47. Questions:
• Is the subject matter significant to the
students, the school, the community,
and the country?
• Are the sentences and paragraphs
comparatively short?
Yes No



48. “If a newspaper were a living
thing, as I think it is, its news
content may be the lifeblood,
the front page may be its face
but its editorials – its criticism
and commentary – are its very
soul. And when the editorials
are flabby, complacent or
irresponsible, then the
newspaper has lost its soul –
and also its character.”
- John B. Oakes, New York Times