The document provides guidance on how to write an effective editorial. It explains that an editorial is an article that presents a newspaper's opinion on an issue and aims to influence public opinion and promote critical thinking. It notes editorials should have an introduction, body, and conclusion like news stories and include an objective explanation of the issue, timely news angles, opposing viewpoints, and alternative solutions. The document also outlines four types of editorials and provides a sample structure for writing an editorial, including steps like picking a significant topic, collecting facts, stating an opinion, refuting opposing views, and concluding with a punch.
The newspaper is the voice of the community. The editorials are the voice of the newspaper. This voice can inform readers, stimulate thinking, mold opinion and occasionally move people to action
Writing an editorial to be worthy of print space, the editorial needs to tell the reader something that would not be discussed in a straight news story. However, the editorial must be researched carefully and just as thoroughly as a news story.
News;news writing;columns;letter to editors;column writing;difference between column and editorial; opinion and editorial;opinion piece of paper; what is editorial
The newspaper is the voice of the community. The editorials are the voice of the newspaper. This voice can inform readers, stimulate thinking, mold opinion and occasionally move people to action
Writing an editorial to be worthy of print space, the editorial needs to tell the reader something that would not be discussed in a straight news story. However, the editorial must be researched carefully and just as thoroughly as a news story.
News;news writing;columns;letter to editors;column writing;difference between column and editorial; opinion and editorial;opinion piece of paper; what is editorial
Persuasive/Argumentative Essay
Topic…………..
Why the Legalization of Marijuana is Inevitable
Assignment: Write a paper formatted in MLA style of seven pages in length (use Times New Roman 12) that addresses the topic below. You must include a Works Cited page.
Following the directions given in lecture and the examples and instructions in Chapter Fourteen of
Writing Arguments
, write a persuasive essay. You must take a position on a subject of your choosing that involves some issue that a person might dispute.
As with the definition essay, you should explain what your subject is. You must also present your arguments in favor of your side of the argument, and you must have some discussion of counter-arguments. Where it is appropriate, you may anticipate counter-arguments both from audience members who disagree with your position and with those who agree with your position but desire a different solution.
Writing to Persuade
Writing Argument
Persuasion
is a broad term. When we persuade, we try to influence people to think in a certain way or to do something.
Argument
is persuasion on a topic about which reasonable people disagree. Argument involves controversy. Whereas exercising appropriately is probably not controversial because reasonable people do not dispute the idea, an issue such as gun control is. In this chapter, we will be concerned mainly with the kind of persuasion that involves argument.
Techniques for Developing Argument
Statements of argument are informal or formal. An opinion column in a newspaper is likely to have little set structure, whereas an argument in college writing is likely to be tightly organized. Nervertheless, the opinion column and the college paper have much in common. Both provide a proposition, which is the main point of the argument, and both provide pupport, which is the evidence of the reasons that back up the proposition.
For a well – structured college paragraph or essay, an organizing plan is desirable. Consider these elements when you write an argument, and ask yourself the following question as you develop your ideas:
Background: What is the historical or social context for this controversial issue?
Proposition (the thesis of the essay): What do I want my audience to believe or to do?
Qualification of proposition: Can I limit my proposition so that those who disagree cannot easily challenge me with exceptions? If, for example, I am in favor of using animals for scientific experimentation, am I concerned only with medical experiments or with any use, including experiments for the cosmetic industry?
Refutation (taking the opposing view into account, mainly to point out its fundamental weakness): What is the view on the other side, and why is it flawed in reasoning or evidence?
Support: In addition to sound reasoning, can I use appropriate facts, examples, statistics, and opinions of authorities?
Your Audience
Your audience may be uninformed, informed, biase.
1 Paper Structure & Other Tips Philosophy papers.docxcroftsshanon
1
Paper Structure & Other Tips
Philosophy papers almost always have two parts: exposition and critical analysis. ‘To exposit’ means to
explain or describe something. You always want to begin by explaining the issue or topic that is the
focus of your paper. The expository part of your paper can also involve explaining what other
influential people have said about the topic of your paper. After you’ve sufficiently explained your
topic, and what others have said about it, you then want to provide a critical analysis. ‘Critical
analysis’ here just means providing your own critical perspective on the topic. This critical part of
your paper will involve developing your own argument(s). In the structure just below, sections I-III
are expository; sections IV-V involve critical analysis.
There is no single, correct way to write a philosophy paper. Here’s how I would recommend
structuring your paper [the numbers in the brackets are roughly how long each section should be]:
------------------------------------
I. Introduction [0.5 page]
A. Set up the topic. Describe the university’s proposed policy. You can add some details to the
policy as you see fit—just make sure not to stray too far from the proposal in the prompt.
B. Thesis statement. Be sure to include a thesis statement in the Introduction. A thesis
statement is the main point you’ll be arguing in your paper. For example, you might say: “In this
paper, I will argue that the university’s proposed policy is completely unacceptable,” or “In this
paper, I’ll argue in support of the university’s proposal.” You shouldn’t start discussing the details
of your view in your thesis statement—save that for later in your essay. Just state what position
you will be taking on the proposed policy.
II. Peter Singer’s View [.75 page]
A. Explain Singer’s view on helping those in need (using his article “The Singer
Solution
to
World Poverty”).
B. Then state explicitly whether Singer would agree with the university’s proposed policy.
III. Garrett Hardin’s View [.75 page]
A. Explain Hardin’s view on helping those in need (using his article “Lifeboat Ethics”).
B. Then state explicitly whether Hardin would agree with the university’s proposed
policy.
2
IV. Your Own View [1 page]
A. Explain your own view on helping those need. Here, speak more generally about whether
you believe that affluent people have a moral obligation to help the less fortunate. In other
words, put aside the university’s proposed policy for a moment; just talk about your beliefs about
helping people in need. If you think people that are well-to-do have an obligation to help, why
and to what extent (how much)? Should the well-to-do help because it’s necessary for a smooth,
well-functioning society? Or because wealth is often the result of luck (such as which socio-
economic class you’re born into)? Or because helping the less fortunate is God’s will? And
should the a.
1 Paper Structure & Other Tips Philosophy papers.docxkarisariddell
1
Paper Structure & Other Tips
Philosophy papers almost always have two parts: exposition and critical analysis. ‘To exposit’ means to
explain or describe something. You always want to begin by explaining the issue or topic that is the
focus of your paper. The expository part of your paper can also involve explaining what other
influential people have said about the topic of your paper. After you’ve sufficiently explained your
topic, and what others have said about it, you then want to provide a critical analysis. ‘Critical
analysis’ here just means providing your own critical perspective on the topic. This critical part of
your paper will involve developing your own argument(s). In the structure just below, sections I-III
are expository; sections IV-V involve critical analysis.
There is no single, correct way to write a philosophy paper. Here’s how I would recommend
structuring your paper [the numbers in the brackets are roughly how long each section should be]:
------------------------------------
I. Introduction [0.5 page]
A. Set up the topic. Describe the university’s proposed policy. You can add some details to the
policy as you see fit—just make sure not to stray too far from the proposal in the prompt.
B. Thesis statement. Be sure to include a thesis statement in the Introduction. A thesis
statement is the main point you’ll be arguing in your paper. For example, you might say: “In this
paper, I will argue that the university’s proposed policy is completely unacceptable,” or “In this
paper, I’ll argue in support of the university’s proposal.” You shouldn’t start discussing the details
of your view in your thesis statement—save that for later in your essay. Just state what position
you will be taking on the proposed policy.
II. Peter Singer’s View [.75 page]
A. Explain Singer’s view on helping those in need (using his article “The Singer
Solution
to
World Poverty”).
B. Then state explicitly whether Singer would agree with the university’s proposed policy.
III. Garrett Hardin’s View [.75 page]
A. Explain Hardin’s view on helping those in need (using his article “Lifeboat Ethics”).
B. Then state explicitly whether Hardin would agree with the university’s proposed
policy.
2
IV. Your Own View [1 page]
A. Explain your own view on helping those need. Here, speak more generally about whether
you believe that affluent people have a moral obligation to help the less fortunate. In other
words, put aside the university’s proposed policy for a moment; just talk about your beliefs about
helping people in need. If you think people that are well-to-do have an obligation to help, why
and to what extent (how much)? Should the well-to-do help because it’s necessary for a smooth,
well-functioning society? Or because wealth is often the result of luck (such as which socio-
economic class you’re born into)? Or because helping the less fortunate is God’s will? And
should the a.
1. Writing an Editorial
Another Tutorial by:
Alan Weintraut
Annandale High School
Annandale, VA 22312
Atraut@aol.com
CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING
An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's opinion on an issue. It reflects the
majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of
editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in the same manner of a
lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the
same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical
thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial
is an opinionated news story.
Editorials have:
1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories
2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer
addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage
issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of
persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a
problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation
better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's opinion. Give
it some punch.
Four Types of Editorials Will:
1. Explain or interpret: Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the
newspaper covered a sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain
new school rules or a particular student-body effort like a food drive.
2. Criticize: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while
providing solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers to see
the problem, not the solution.
3. Persuade: Editorials of persuasion aim to immediately see the solution, not the
2. problem. From the first paragraph, readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive
action. Political endorsements are good examples of editorials of persuasion.
4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well.
They are not as common as the other three.
Writing an Editorial
1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers.
2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research
3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement
4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is
important
5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts
6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures,
quotations. Pick apart the other side's logic.
7. Concede a point of the opposition — they must have some good points you can
acknowledge that would make you look rational.
8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader's minds.
9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge.
Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction.
10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis
statement).
11. Keep it to 500 words; make every work count; never use "I"
A Sample Structure
I. Lead with an Objective Explanation of the Issue/Controversy.
Include the five W's and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are
looking to cut funding from public television. Hearings were held …)
Pull in facts and quotations from the sources which are relevant.
Additional research may be necessary.
II. Present Your Opposition First.
As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who
oppose you. (Republicans feel that these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick
them; only the rich watch public television.)
Use facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions.
Give a strong position of the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting a weak
position.
3. III. Directly Refute The Opposition's Beliefs.
You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a
"sandbox for the rich." However, statistics show most people who watch public television
make less than $40,000 per year.)
Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support your position.
Concede a valid point of the opposition which will make you appear rational, one
who has considered all the options (fiscal times are tough, and we can cut some of
the funding for the arts; however, …).
IV. Give Other, Original Reasons/Analogies
In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest order. (Taking money
away from public television is robbing children of their education …)
Use a literary or cultural allusion that lends to your credibility and perceived
intelligence (We should render unto Caesar that which belongs to him …)
V. Conclude With Some Punch.
Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should
look to where real wastes exist — perhaps in defense and entitlements — to find ways to
save money. Digging into public television's pocket hurts us all.)
A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected source
A rhetorical question can be an effective concluder as well (If the government
doesn't defend the interests of children, who will?)
Go to the library or any computer lab and complete the “webquest” located at
http://library.thinkquest.org/50084/index.shtml
http://library.thinkquest.org/50084/editorials/index.html