How to write opinion

1. Opinion Writing
It’s important to have one…
sometimes...

2. OPINION WRITING VS. NEWS WRITING
The stories are not structured the same way
There is a voice of persuasion in an opinion piece that should not
be found in news writing
Opinion writing/editorials are placed on a separate page AWAY
from news stories
Opinion pages usually DO NOT include advertisements on the
page to avoid the assertion that those advertisers are endorsing
the same opinion

3. WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?
Journalists consider their work as a way to speak for
the people who cannot speak for themselves, shedding
light on dark areas of their communities
Opinion writing and editorials advocate for change,
but in a different way

4. ELEMENTS OF A GOOD EDITORIAL
Persuades their audience to change their minds or take action
The matter they address is of local, state or national importance
The writer addresses the audience directly
The writer makes an emotional appeal to the readers

5. WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL?
Editorial expresses the opinion of the editorial board or the
newspaper as an entity
They tell people what they should be angry about or what should
be happening but isn’t
Presents facts and offer a perspective for ways to solve a
problem
Written in a persuasive voice that asks readers to change their
mind, consider other options or confirm their convictions

6. WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL?
Tell readers what you want them to do, give them information, tell them what you told them
The purpose isn’t always to criticize:
Teach Attack
Defend Recommend
Question Prod
Entertain Advocate
Expose

7. CHOOSING A TOPIC AND WRITING AN EDITORIAL
Pick a topic that would be on the front page of the paper
Pick something that is important enough for your editorial board
to take a stance on
Pick something that is of interest to your audience
Who is our audience again?
Make sure it is local
This gives readers a reason to act and a means to act

8. WRITING THE EDITORIAL:
WRITE IN THE THIRD PERSON
In a column or a review, you can write in the first person, but
an editorial is written in third person
Write concisely editing out unnecessary words, phrases or
sentences
Keep it LESS THAN 300 WORDS

9. EDITORIAL SUPPORT IS VITAL:
When you have an editorial in the paper you must reach a
decision on your stand as a staff
Have a discussion with the full group and then select one person
to write the piece
When it is finished, read it to the entire staff
At least 50 percent of your staff, plus one more person (a
majority) approves of what is in the editorial that editorial will
be the voice of your staff

10. AFTER IT IS WRITTEN:
Make sure you can answer “YES!” to the following questions:
Is the topic interesting?
If it is not, why bother?
Is your stand clear? Will the reader know exactly where you
stand? There can be NO wiggle room.
Are there FACTS to support the stand?
Will the headline grab the reader’s attention?

11. EDITORIAL CARTOONS:
Can either accompany an editorial or stand alone
They should be investigative at some level
They should make the reader feel something and react
MUST have a strong artist
If there is not one on staff, recruit from art class

12. LETTERS AND GUEST SUBMISSIONS
Good way to see what issues are generating interest in a community
Must develop an editorial policy to share with readers so they know how to
submit their letters, how long they should be and whether or not unsigned
letters can be printed
On the scholastic level, a good length is 300 words
Double check the accuracy of everything the reader has put in the letter
If there are errors, contact the writer and point out the errors.
If they agree to correct, then run the letter

13. Opinion Writing
It’s important to have one…
sometimes...