Basics of an Editorial

There are some basic things to keep in mind while writing an editorial. First of all, it is not a report. A
person writing an editorial is not expected to just state the facts and be done with it. An editorial is an
analysis, it is an in-depth study of a topic. A person writing an editorial is also expected to come up with an
opinion based on the facts and its analysis. But it is essential that the person writing an editorial is not
biased in his opinion and gives an all-round judgment on the topic. An editor should always keep one thing
in mind―an editorial is an analysis, not an endorsement.

♦ Global warming effects on earth

♦ The causes of, symptoms and treatment for swine flu
♦ The ways recycling affects our environment
♦ What caused the subprime crisis?
♦ Should gay marriages be allowed?
♦ Should gambling be outlawed?
♦ Should capital punishment be allowed?
♦ NBA season review (or preview)
♦ Major league season review (or preview)
♦ Should marijuana be legalized?
♦ Should cigarettes be banned?
♦ How necessary is a college education?

Antiti

Writing an Editorial
TN 26

An editorial is an article written by or under the direction of the editor of a

newspaper or magazine, or a statement broadcast on radio or television. Editorials
give opinions on important social, political, economic, or legal issues of the day and
intend to persuade readers to agree to a particular point of view. An editorial,
printed on the editorial page of newspapers, is an example of persuasive writing and
many of the suggestions in TN 24: Persuasive Writing are relevant.

Editorials reflect the views of the owners, managers or board of directors of media
companies. Editorials of major papers are often viewed by readers in terms of their
positioning as right (conservative), centre (liberal), or left (socialist) on the political
spectrum. Furthermore, editorials usually do not shy from controversy, in the hope
of not only presenting the issues to the reading public, but also of drawing response
from the public and attracting new readership in the competitive marketplace.
Editorial Structure

An editorial is similar to an essay in that it focuses on a specific issue or topic,

offers a thesis, and provides evidence and supporting arguments to convince its
readers. The title clearly identifies the topic; the introductory statement includes
the writer’s view on the issue; the body provides supporting evidence and examples;
and the conclusion restates the writer’s view and provides a final appeal for the
reader to agree to that view.

Suggestions for Students Planning the Editorial:

 Decide what issue you will write about and clearly define the issue. 
 Consider who your intended audience will be (for example, it may be the
general readership, or 

it may be directed at those who hold a particular view that may or may not
already have been 

expressed in the media or other public forum). 

 Brainstorm a variety of strategies you can use to gain reader support for
your view on the 

issue. These might include acknowledgement of the reader’s current

viewpoint, listing benefits 

of the view you are promoting, providing reliable evidence, and using of sound
reasoning. 

 Develop logical and ethical arguments; avoid purely emotional rhetoric. 

 Conduct necessary research both to gather information about the audience
you are writing 

for, and to collect evidence, examples, and support for the view you are
promoting. 

 Develop an outline to follow before you begin writing. 

Writing the Editorial: 

 Follow the pattern and style of editorial writing. 

 In most editorials, the opinion of the writer is given near the beginning,
followed by supporting 
 evidence and reasoning (direct approach). 

 The first person plural voice (we, our) is most common in editorial writing
and is appropriate in 

establishing the credibility of the writer. 

 Editorials should be short, precise, and well organized. 

 Develop a strong introductory statement to capture the reader’s attention
and to state your 

opinion. Use a logical sequence for presenting your arguments, and an

effective conclusion to maximize the impact on the reader. 