Writing Editorial

Noel Saysay OrtegaNoel Saysay Ortega
Carmona, CaviteCarmona, Cavite
Writing EditorialWriting Editorial

The Editorial…The Editorial…
Serves as the official view of theServes as the official view of the
paper, reflecting the opinions ofpaper, reflecting the opinions of
many sides of an issue. It ismany sides of an issue. It is
composed by an editorial boardcomposed by an editorial board
which agrees on the topic and thewhich agrees on the topic and the
view to present.view to present.

Editorial ContentEditorial Content
1. Deals with a current issue which is affecting1. Deals with a current issue which is affecting
many readersmany readers
2. May attempt to influence, by giving readers all2. May attempt to influence, by giving readers all
the facts and concernsthe facts and concerns
3. Offer suggestions and indications as to3. Offer suggestions and indications as to
outcomesoutcomes

• SuggestionSuggestion
-The business sector would do well to evaluate people-The business sector would do well to evaluate people
on the basis of merit than academic degree.on the basis of merit than academic degree.
• ChallengeChallenge
- If other schools can develop a culture of excellence,- If other schools can develop a culture of excellence,
why can’t we?why can’t we?
• Rounding up or simple summaryRounding up or simple summary
- The spate of scandals over government deals,- The spate of scandals over government deals,
characterized by favoritism and influence peddling,characterized by favoritism and influence peddling,
marks the government’s claims of transparency. Worse,marks the government’s claims of transparency. Worse,
it undermines the chances of the Philippines to recoverit undermines the chances of the Philippines to recover
from the economic crisis.from the economic crisis.

Editorial ContentEditorial Content
4. The opinion if offered, will not be an extreme4. The opinion if offered, will not be an extreme
view, but a well prepared and informed one,view, but a well prepared and informed one,
taking into consideration many aspects fromtaking into consideration many aspects from
both sides of the debate.both sides of the debate.

ConstructionConstruction
• An editorial presents the official view of theAn editorial presents the official view of the
paper, so it is a wisely thought outpaper, so it is a wisely thought out
• Clear and concise wording – free of emotiveClear and concise wording – free of emotive
termsterms
• Usually balanced, presenting all aspects of theUsually balanced, presenting all aspects of the
situationsituation
• Written on an important topic often a deepWritten on an important topic often a deep
seated problem within society which is likely toseated problem within society which is likely to
be of interest or concerns to many readers.be of interest or concerns to many readers.
• Doesn’t normally include reported speechDoesn’t normally include reported speech

Editorial stories have:Editorial stories have:
1.1. Introduction, body, solution and conclusionIntroduction, body, solution and conclusion
like other news stories.like other news stories.
2.2. An objective explanation of the issue,An objective explanation of the issue,
especially complex issues.especially complex issues.
3.3. A timely news angle.A timely news angle.
4.4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint thatOpinions from the opposing viewpoint that
directly refute the same issues the writerdirectly refute the same issues the writer
addressesaddresses

Editorial stories have:Editorial stories have:
5. Good editorials engage issue, not personalities and5. Good editorials engage issue, not personalities and
refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics ofrefrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of
persuasion.persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being
criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but acriticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a
good editorial should take a proactive approach togood editorial should take a proactive approach to
making the situation better by using constructivemaking the situation better by using constructive
criticism and giving solutions.criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully
summarizes the writer’s opinion. Give it some punch.summarizes the writer’s opinion. Give it some punch.

Four Types of EditorialFour Types of Editorial
1. Argument and Persuasion. It take a firm stand1. Argument and Persuasion. It take a firm stand
on a problem or condition. They attempt toon a problem or condition. They attempt to
persuade the reader to think the same way. Thispersuade the reader to think the same way. This
editorial proposes a solution or advice takingeditorial proposes a solution or advice taking
some definite action.some definite action.

2. Information and Interpretation. Attempt to2. Information and Interpretation. Attempt to
explain the meaning or significance of a situationexplain the meaning or significance of a situation
or news event. There is a wide variety ofor news event. There is a wide variety of
editorials in this category, ranging from thoseeditorials in this category, ranging from those
which provide background information to thosewhich provide background information to those
which identify issues.which identify issues.

3. Tribute, Appreciation or Commendation. Praise3. Tribute, Appreciation or Commendation. Praise
a person, a group of person or an activitya person, a group of person or an activity

4. Entertainment. Has two categories: One is the4. Entertainment. Has two categories: One is the
short humorous treatment of a light topic. Theshort humorous treatment of a light topic. The
second is a slightly satirical treatment of asecond is a slightly satirical treatment of a
serious subject. (Satire is the use of sarcasm orserious subject. (Satire is the use of sarcasm or
keen wit to denounce abuses or follies. While itkeen wit to denounce abuses or follies. While it
ridicules or makes fun of a subject it has theridicules or makes fun of a subject it has the
intent of improving it.)intent of improving it.)

Structure of EditorialStructure of Editorial
• 1. Introduction – state the problem1. Introduction – state the problem
• 2. Body – expresses an opinion2. Body – expresses an opinion
• 3. Solution – offers a solution to the problem3. Solution – offers a solution to the problem
• 4. Conclusion – emphasizes the main issue.4. Conclusion – emphasizes the main issue.

Additional Tips on structuring yourAdditional Tips on structuring your
opinion story:opinion story:
1.1. Lead with an objective explanation of the issueLead with an objective explanation of the issue
or controversy.or controversy.
Include the five W’s and the H. Pull in factsInclude the five W’s and the H. Pull in facts
and quotations from sources which areand quotations from sources which are
relevant.relevant.

2. Present your opposition first.2. Present your opposition first.
As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints.As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints.
Identify the people (specifically who opposeIdentify the people (specifically who oppose
you). Use facts and quotations to stateyou). Use facts and quotations to state
objectively their opinions. Give a strong positionobjectively their opinions. Give a strong position
of the opposition. You gain nothing in refutingof the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting
a weak position.a weak position.

3. Directly refute the opposition’s belief.3. Directly refute the opposition’s belief.
You can begin your article with transition. PullYou can begin your article with transition. Pull
in other facts and quotations from people whoin other facts and quotations from people who
support your position. Concede a valid point ofsupport your position. Concede a valid point of
the opposition which will make you appearthe opposition which will make you appear
rational, one who has considered all the options.rational, one who has considered all the options.

4. Give other original reasons or analogies.4. Give other original reasons or analogies.
In defense of your position, give reasons fromIn defense of your position, give reasons from
strong to strongest order. Use a literary orstrong to strongest order. Use a literary or
cultural allusion that lends to your credibility andcultural allusion that lends to your credibility and
perceived intelligence.perceived intelligence.

5. Conclude with some punch.5. Conclude with some punch.
Give solutions to the problem or challenge theGive solutions to the problem or challenge the
reader to be informed.reader to be informed.
A quotation can be effective, especially if from aA quotation can be effective, especially if from a
respected source. A rhetorical question can berespected source. A rhetorical question can be
an effective concluder as well.an effective concluder as well.

How to write an opinion pieceHow to write an opinion piece
• Think of an opinion piece as a persuasive essay:Think of an opinion piece as a persuasive essay:
the writer has an opinion or a point of view onthe writer has an opinion or a point of view on
an issue and he or she wants to convince thean issue and he or she wants to convince the
reader to agree. This is not as easy as it mayreader to agree. This is not as easy as it may
seem.seem.
1. You must research your topic and find out1. You must research your topic and find out
what’s happening and what went on in the past.what’s happening and what went on in the past.

2. You must know the facts and be able to refer to2. You must know the facts and be able to refer to
them in your argument.them in your argument.
3. Pretend you are a lawyer and you are making a3. Pretend you are a lawyer and you are making a
case before a jury. You will want to convince thecase before a jury. You will want to convince the
members of the jury to believe that your client ismembers of the jury to believe that your client is
right. Therefore you need to present as muchright. Therefore you need to present as much
evidence as you can that proves the point. Youevidence as you can that proves the point. You
do the same when you write a column ordo the same when you write a column or
editorial.editorial.

4. Start your editorial with a basic premise or4. Start your editorial with a basic premise or
theme.theme.
5. Use facts and details to back up your opinion5. Use facts and details to back up your opinion
and help you make your case.and help you make your case.
6. Leave your readers with a lasting impression –6. Leave your readers with a lasting impression –
strong point that will make them consider yourstrong point that will make them consider your
point of view.point of view.

Use illustrative example:Use illustrative example:
Mrs. Pedrosa looks over her class record.Mrs. Pedrosa looks over her class record.
Just about 75’s as 70’s after Mikki’s name. ShallJust about 75’s as 70’s after Mikki’s name. Shall
it be 75% or a 70%? But she remembers howit be 75% or a 70%? But she remembers how
frequently Mikki comes in just a little late. Thefrequently Mikki comes in just a little late. The
assignment or lesson must be repeated. Theassignment or lesson must be repeated. The
other 35 students mark time while the annoyedother 35 students mark time while the annoyed
teacher gives her private student her lesson. Doteacher gives her private student her lesson. Do
you blame her for deciding with a vicious jot ofyou blame her for deciding with a vicious jot of
her ballpen, that Mikki got a 70?her ballpen, that Mikki got a 70?

7. Don’t preach to the reader. A good editorial will7. Don’t preach to the reader. A good editorial will
make readers take notice of the situation andmake readers take notice of the situation and
form their own opinions on the issue.form their own opinions on the issue.

Example:Example:
SuccessSuccess
You ought to work hard in high school if you wantYou ought to work hard in high school if you want
to be a success in life. For with the work you are doingto be a success in life. For with the work you are doing
here, you are laying the basis for the work you will dohere, you are laying the basis for the work you will do
later in life, and you want to make sure that you havelater in life, and you want to make sure that you have
the right foundation.the right foundation.
Look at most successful men today. You will findLook at most successful men today. You will find
that they worked hard while they were in school.that they worked hard while they were in school.
You should not waste time. You ought to try hardYou should not waste time. You ought to try hard
to make good. Most of our alumni who have beento make good. Most of our alumni who have been
successful made good grades while here.successful made good grades while here.

8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the
readers’ mind.readers’ mind.
9. Keep it to 500 words; make every word counts;9. Keep it to 500 words; make every word counts;
never use “I”.never use “I”.

I wish you could writeI wish you could write
• NumerousNumerous
• OutstandingOutstanding
• EditorialEditorial
• LiteratureLiterature

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