Journalism ( editorial writing )

1. Editorial Writing
By Bong O. Wenceslao

2. Definition
● Opinion or voice of a newspaper or
publication
● Journalistic essay (an essay based on
current issues)

3. Notes:
● School publication vs. student publication
● Have a functioning publication (complete, well-trained staff and
regular release of issues).
● Practice brainstorming of ideas for editorial topics, articles to
publish
● Desktop publishing is a by-product of a functioning publication

4. Sample: Start of Senior High School
LOST in the circus that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and
his people stage seemingly every week going into the leadership
transition on June 30 is this Monday's opening of the 2016-2017
school year and, with it, the historic start of the classes of the
first batch of senior high school students. The addition of
Grades 11 and 12 to basic education is the new system's main
thrust.

5. Cont’d...
The K to 12 program, which was conceived during the early years of
the Arroyo administration, can be considered part of the legacy of
outgoing President Benigno Aquino III and outgoing Department of
Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro. Meant to ensure that the
country's educational system won't lag behind world standards, the K to
12 program is on the final stage of implementation despite being
opposed by some sectors. Cases against the program are still pending
with the Supreme Court.

6. Cont’d...
Cases against the program are still pending with the Supreme
Court. One thing going for K to 12 is that Duterte has pledged to see
through its implementation of the program despite his initial
reservations. That means all the preparations for senior high school by
the DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) and other
concerned government agencies and private educational institutions
won't be wasted.

7. Cont’d...
"Very prepared for a first timer opening 11,000 senior high schools
in every municipality and city. I think this is the boldest move the
department has ever undertaken," Luistro said recently, adding: "We
feel like a mother expectant for her first baby. While we have done
everything possible to prepare for it, I don't think one can prepare for
the great joy that one will see and realize on the first day of classes.”

8. Cont’d...
Luistro has met with Leonor Briones, whom Duterte has appointed
to be the next education secretary. He described his meetings with
Briones as “long, fruitful, cordial,” which means that the completion of
the program's implementation under the new administration is
already assured. That is, if the High Court won't rule against it.

9. Cont’d...
But even if the SC upholds the regularity of K to 12, the new system
is by no means perfect. For example, flaws in the implementation of
the senior high school program may surface in the coming months.
And the jury is still out on whether the program can really improve the
country's educational system. It is therefore necessary for the public
to continue the program's scrutiny.

10. Who writes the editorial?
● Senior editors of the newspaper/publication
● Or students who possess the traits
discussed in the next slide

11. Traits of an editorial writer
● Must be fluent in the language used
● Must be well-read or well informed
● Must be analytical and critical

12. Editorial Objectives:
● To explain/interpret the news, put it in its
proper perspective
● To persuade the readers to follow a course
of action, usually for public good

13. Types: Informative
● Gives information, review or announce
certain facts or events (provides more data
than opinion)

14. Sample: The Need for Population Education
Poverty, high cost of living, school crisis, lack of job opportunities
confront common people. Millions of children are victims of under-
nourishment and deficiency diseases that shorten their life and harm
their mental development. Due to the failure of parents to send all
their children to school, illiteracy rates are high and are still increasing.

15. Types: Interpretative/ Critical
● Those that explain or bring out the significance of an
event or situation or put up a critique and push for
change in a situation

16. Sample: Attitude Towards Study
We are in school because we want to learn. Our study is for our
own benefit and not to accommodate someone else. As such, we have
to relate it to our own aims or ambitions in life.
We should not think of study merely in terms of quizzes,
recitations, homework, term paper and reports. Putting a valuation
upon it in terms of five or twenty years from now will give it more
meaning to us.

17. Types: Praise or Commend
● Those that express appreciation for a
worthy action

18. Sample: Commitment
Determination, self-confidence and the desire to seek the truth
guided our struggle to restore the campus paper.
The Quill is our victory--a product of the concerted effort of the
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Journal staffers and the whole CAS
studentry amidst tremendous hardships we encountered along the
way.

19. Types: Editorials that Entertain
● These are written to give a light vein,
primarily to entertain the readers

20. Sample: First Day in School
The first day in high school for pupils who have been used to having
their classes in a single room is rather like their first day in a big city
crowded with different kinds of people. There is confusion and a
bewildered cry never heard before.
On our own first day in high school, we were elbowed about from
one room to another, usually losing our way and arriving late.

21. Types: Editorials for Special Occasions
● Those that are written to give meaning to
occasions such as Christmas, labor day,
heroes’ birthday and other significant
events

22. Sample: New Year Thoughts
New Year is the finale of the Yuletide Season which is accompanied
by the spirit of joy and goodwill that can only be understood, never
fully explained. It is enough to feel the spirit of it--that which illumines
our souls--the spirit that transforms into reality that Christmas
message, “Peace on earth to men of goodwill.”

23. Step 1: Choose a Topic
● Must be current and timely
● Must be interesting to your readers
● May be chosen by the Editorial Board or by
the editorial writer

24. Step 2: Research
● Get background material or information
about the topic
● Can be done through Google, the library or
through interviews (principal, teachers, etc.)

25. Step 3: Outlining
● Arrange facts and opinions logically before
writing the editorial
● Choose details to use
● Usually: introduction, body and conclusion

26. Step 4: Writing
● Editorials should be formal in tone.
● Do not preach, rather present facts or real
life narratives
● Criticize the idea/ proposal, not the person

27. Introduction
● It must excite the readers so they will read
the whole article
● Contains the news peg or the problem to be
tackled

28. Sample:
● News peg and stating of the problem (refer to sample editorial)
● Narration: “October saw a long and heated debate in the
Constitutional Convention that resulted in the lowering of the
voting age from 21 to 18.
● Question: “Remember the story of the Balangiga bells?”
● Poetic: “In the dark depths of man’s labyrinth of fears may lie
hidden a ray of hope which man may have overlooked.”

29. Body
● Includes facts, causes and effect, illustrations, arguments
● Vary the length and form of your sentences. Be conscious of the
form or style
● In the end, editorials rise or fall on the strength of the arguments
you present and the facts you support these with.
● In sum, it is content over form

30. Conclusion
● Drives home the final important thought or direction.
● May be in the form of advice, challenge, command or just
rounding out the article or summarizing.
● You can end with a quotation, contrast, etc. (*refer to the sample
editorial)

31. Step 5: Rewiriting
● Reread your article carefully.
● Check for clarity, errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.
● Look for errors in facts and logic.
● Rewrite if you must.

32. Additional tips
● Complex sentences and long paragraphs are wearisome and dull
the senses
● Be specific, use concrete facts and figures, not general ideas,
terms or statements
● Support arguments with the right facts.
● Be conscious of the law on libel