powerpoint presentation on editorial writing and column writing

1. EDITORIAL
WRITING
&
COLUMN
WRITING
MARILOU U. PACLOB
CLAVERIA EAST DISTRICT

2. EDITORIAL WRITING
What is an
Editorial?

3. WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL?
•It is an article that expresses opinion
• It can be on any topic, but it should be relevant to
an issue that is being talked about in society in
general
• It should be backed up with facts, data, and/ or
statistics

4. WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL?
•It can offer an solution to solve the problem
mentioned earlier
•It should have “inside information” to make the
editorial more relevant
• It should be “memorable” especially in its concluding
part

5. A. IT IS AN ARTICLE THAT EXPRESSES OPINION
• It is an opinion, yes… but NOT your own opinion
(Unless you are a columnist).
• Avoid using “I” or “Me” in writing the editorial
• These types of editorials usually have no bylines
and are attributed to a statement coming from the
newspaper/ campus paper itself.

6. B. IT CAN BE ON ANY TOPIC, BUT IT SHOULD BE RELEVANT TO AN
ISSUE THAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN SOCIETY IN GENERAL
• Before you can express an option, choose a topic
• The topic chosen can be or not be related to the
front page of the newspaper.
• Best topics are those that are current issues in
society. If the topic is current, readers will be
interested to read it since it grasps their attention.

7. C. IT SHOULD BE BACKED UP WITH RELEVANT
FACTS, DATA, AND/ OR STATISTICS
• Make sure to use the most recent information.
• In some cases, you can use older information as sources to
help prove your case (e.g. historical data).
• Use statistics to help prove your argument. (e.g. number of
typhoon victims if you are writing a piece on natural
disasters, SWS survey numbers when you are writing about
elections, etc.)
• Avoid “hearsays” when citing a number

8. D. IT CAN OFFER AN SOLUTION TO SOLVE THE
PROBLEM MENTIONED EARLIER
• You can’t be on both sides when writing an
editorial piece. The purpose for the editorial is to
give strong opinion, specifically, the newspaper’s
opinion.
• Make a strong resolve with your solution/
opinion, otherwise, readers will not be convinced
to side on your point of view.

9. D. IT CAN OFFER AN SOLUTION TO SOLVE THE
PROBLEM MENTIONED EARLIER
• Sometimes, it is wise to put a “counterargument (giving the
other side)” as you are making your own argument stronger.
Only one paragraph is needed. After you state the other
side, you must then refute it. In other words, give reasons
showing why that side is not valid.
• What do you propose to solve the issue? This should be one
paragraph. Provide some options to fix the problem.

10. E: IT SHOULD HAVE “INSIDE INFORMATION” TO
MAKE THE EDITORIAL MORE RELEVANT
•Usually, editorials do not quote a person; however,
his or her statement (Or opinion) can be used as
part of the piece.
• It is important to differentiate between “inside
info” and “gossip/ hearsay”… again, the editorial’s
integrity is of prime importance.

11. F: IT SHOULD BE “MEMORABLE” ESPECIALLY
IN ITS TITLE AND CONCLUDING PART
•The first step is to pick a headline that grabs
attention. Otherwise, you can finish the entire
editorial and pick a line or two and transform it into
a catchy title.
•The title can be a question, a statement, even a
name or a parody of a certain issue.

12. F: IT SHOULD BE “MEMORABLE” ESPECIALLY
IN ITS TITLE AND CONCLUDING PART
• If you grab the reader’s attention with your title and opening
statement, then they will be inclined to keep reading
(otherwise, they will jump to sports for guys or entertainment
for ladies).
Tip: State the topic you will be discussing in one or two
opening sentences.
• As much as possible, make your editorial “memorable” but
not “controversial”

13. F: IT SHOULD BE “MEMORABLE” ESPECIALLY
IN ITS TITLE AND CONCLUDING PART
• Make sure your strongest argument is left for last. Do
not also become passive in the arguments that come
before the strongest.
• The conclusion should be able to “tie up” all your
arguments so that it will become a “recap” to the entire
piece.

14. F: IT SHOULD BE “MEMORABLE” ESPECIALLY
IN ITS TITLE AND CONCLUDING PART
• Your conclusion should also have a few solutions you think
would help with the issue at hand. It would be great if you
could get the reader to engage in asking him or herself
questions on how they stand on a particular issue.
Tip: It should appeal to the emotion or the intellect or
should make the reader act on something.

15. SAMPLE OF AN
EDITORIAL
• Paragraph I: Introduction (STATE PROBLEM)
The warning labels on cigarette cartons tell the story:
smoking can cause lung cancer, heart disease,
emphysema, premature birth and injury to babies born
to smokers. Yet, despite the dangers, cigarettes are
readily available in convenience stores, gas stations,
and liquor stores.
• Paragraph II: Reaction (POSITION)
Although tobacco companies may defend their
products, numerous studies have shown that cigarettes
are as addictive as any illegal drug and as treacherous
as a drunk driver. Like those hazards, cigarettes should
be officially outlawed.
Title:
SMOKING GUN

16. SAMPLE OF AN
EDITORIAL
• Paragraph III: Supporting arguments and facts
Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of death, cancer and other disease
in the Philippines. Just look at the statistics from the Department of Health:
Health problems traced to cigarette smoking lead to one of every five deaths,
more than HIV, illegal drugs, car accidents, suicides and murders. Smoking is
blamed for the majority of lung cancer deaths among men and women, and
boosts the rate of heart disease, bronchitis and emphysema.
• Paragraph IV: Supporting arguments and facts
Smokers are not the only ones risking illness and death from cigarettes; second-
hand smoke also kills and debilitates. A 2014 report by the DOH concluded that
nonsmokers have a substantially increased risk of heart disease and lung cancer
after being exposed to second-hand, or environmental, tobacco smoke. Many
experts also trace high incidents of asthma and other respiratory ailments among
children to second-hand smoke, illustrating how cigarette smoke can harm the
innocent.
EVIDENCE

17. SAMPLE OF AN
EDITORIAL
• Paragraph V: Supporting arguments and facts
Even with clear evidence linking serious health problems to cigarettes, many
smokers are unable to quit. According to the Philippine Cancer Society, about
70 percent of smokers express a desire to stop smoking and about 40 percent
try to give up cigarettes each year. However, only about four to seven percent
actually manage to break the grip of cigarette addiction. The rest continue to
endanger their lives and the lives of others.
• Paragraph VI: The Other Side
Tobacco companies, such as Philip Morris International, have funded studies
disputing the health risks associated with smoking and produce “safer”
cigarettes that supposedly cut down on dangers. On its website, Philip Morris
also defends the right of businesses to allow smoking in public places. Yet, even
the company admits, “cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease,
emphysema and other serious diseases in smokers ...There is no such thing as a
"safe" cigarette.”
EVIDENCE

18. SAMPLE OF AN
EDITORIAL
• Paragraph VII: Conclusion (CONCLUSION)
It is time politicians took decisive action. It is time
for cigarettes to be declared illegal.
• Paragraph VII: Suggestions (SOLUTIONS)
Cigarettes are deadly; the risks are real; the
benefits are non-existent. The only way to stop the
danger is to stop the sale of cigarettes altogether.

19. IMPORTANT TIPS TO WIN IN EDITORIAL WRITING
COMPETITIONS
1. Make your handwriting clear and legible.
2. Create a catchy title and opening statement. It spells the difference
between your piece being read by the judges or not.
3. Do not wander off the topic. It is usually the pitfall of editorial writers
4. Cite some relevant data/ personality
5. Appeal to emotions, to the community, or to the family unit. But avoid
melodrama.
6. End with a striking statement that will be remembered by the judges.

24. THANK YOU! Prepare to be a CHAMPION!