Editorial Defined

An editorial is the official stand of the paper on a relevant development or issue.

It is a personal commentary written by the editor who comments or gives the
newspaper’s or the staff’s opinion about various aspects on an issue which is of
interest and importance to the public. It is a critical interpretation of
significant, usually contemporary events so that the readers will be informed,
influenced, or entertained. It is the stand of the paper, not of an individual
editor.

Some authors give other definitions or explanations regarding editorials:

An editorial is an article in a newspaper giving the editor’s view or those of the
person or persons in control of the paper. – A. Gayle Waldrop
It is the expression of the people’s conscience, cause, and convictions. – Joseph
Pulitzer
The modern editorial includes analysis and clarifications, sometimes with no
opinion given. – Arthur Capper
The editorial should provide the background in which the facts are seen in a new
perspective and should express its opinion. – Rufus Terral
Bitterness, bias, and fear have no place in an editorial. They make for weakness no
matter how much they bluster. – William Allan White
It is a presentation of facts and opinion in a concise, logical manner, or of
interesting significant news in such a way that its importance to the average
reader will be clear. – M. Lyle Spencer

Characteristics of a Good Editorial

Reddick gives three qualities of a good editorial:
1. interest
2. brevity and
3. force

Spears and Lawshe, on the other hand, characterize an editorial as one that:
1. must have clearness of style
2. moral purpose
3. sound reasoning and
4. the power to influence public opinion

It can be added further that a good editorial must:

1. lead logically to a conclusion
2. present only one idea
3. avoid wordiness and
4. present facts not mere opinion.

Types of Editorial
1. Editorial of Information – it seeks to give information on facts of news
stories or add other facts with minimum explanation. It may define terms, identify
persons or factors or provide a background.
2. Editorial of Interpretation – It explains the significance or meaning of a news
event, current idea, condition, or situation, theory, or hypothesis. The writer
doesn’t argue nor criticize, but merely present both sides of an issue and leaves
the judgment to the reader. It merely interprets, say for example, the content of a
new memorandum issued by the principal.
3. Editorial of Criticism – It points out the good or the bad features of a
problem or situation mentioned in the news. Its purpose is to influence the reader.
It suggests a solution at the end.
4. Editorial of Commendation, Appreciation, or Tribute – It praises, commends, or
pays tribute to a person or organization that has performed some worthwhile
projects or deeds, or accomplishments.
5. Editorial of Argumentation – This is oftentimes called editorial of persuasion.
The editor argues in order to convince or persuade the reader to accept his stand
on the issue.
6. Editorial of entertainment – It evokes a smile, a chuckle, laughter, while
suggesting truth. Its main aim is to entertain. It is usually short.
7. Mood editorial – It presents a philosophy rather than an argument or an
explanation. Oftentimes, the subject matter is nature or emotion.

How to Write an Editorial

In writing the editorial, select only one specific idea to develop. Be sure the
topic is of interest to the reader. Organize your editorial in three parts:
the introduction
the body
the ending.

The first contains the newspeg with the reaction. It is usually one short
paragraph. (A newspeg is a brief statement about the news event at issue upon which
the editorial is based).
The body may take two or three short paragraphs that support or justify the
reaction. The ending, sometimes called the clincher, summarizes the editorial’s
stand.
The following are examples of editorials’ introductions composed of the newspeg and
the reaction, not necessarily in that order. The underlined words are the reaction:
a. The new office policy of requiring tardy students to study their lessons in
the library while they wait for the next period is both timely and wise.
b. It is source of great pride and inspiration for our school to come out second
in the NSAT region-wide.
c. Our general PTA is really generous and concerned for the students’ welfare.
They will donate labor and materials to improve the school gym.
d. The move of the DECS to revive Grade VII and to add one more year in the high
school is not the solution to the deteriorating pre-collage education in the
country.

The body should prove or justify the reaction or stand already made in the
introduction. In a, the body should prove that the office policy is really timely
(one paragraph) and wise (another paragraph). In b, the editorial should list
reasons and figures which make the school and the studentry proud of their athletic
meet achievement.
The end or lat paragraph of an editorial is sometimes called the punch line or
clincher. But if the preceding lead and body have well organized and carefully
written, the conclusion may be omitted.
The editorial also has a head.

Pointers on Writing an Editorial

1. Make the editorial interesting enough to read.
2. Develop it from one specific, limited idea, phrased in one sentence, and expand
it into the body of the editorial.
3. Have a purpose well in mind which should be accomplished with sufficient data.
4. Organize all data into well-reasoned arguments, with each argument leading up to
the conclusion.
5. Peg the lead sentence on a recent relevant news for its impact value.
6. Present both sides of an issue and clarify tricky aspects with a widely
understood analogy or with an illustration that makes for easier understanding.
7. Direct the editorial towards the establishment of a consensus.
8. Is the writing simple, direct, clear, and forceful?
9. Does it not carry a double meaning?
10. Does it reflect clear, logical thinking?
11. Is the subject matter significant to the students, the school, the community,
and the country?
12. Are the sentences and paragraphs relatively short?

Editorial Beginnings

An editorial may start with:

1. Simple statement that gives enough of the situation, problem or news to be
discussed.
2. A question which calls attention to, give an idea about the problem or point
out the logical development of the topic.
3. A striking statement which jolts the imagination and arouses the interest of
the reader.
4. A quotation relevant to the subject under discussion.
5. A narrative illustrating the problem or situation.

Checking Your Editorial

After having your editorial, check it. The following guides will help you.
1. Is the form and style appropriate to its content and purpose?
2. Were you able to accomplish your purpose?
3. Is it sincere that it will make the reader think?
4. Is it short and direct to the point?
5. Does it hang from a real or an artificial newspeg?
6. Was there no preaching?
7. Is it original and written skillfully?
8. Is the writing simple, direct, clear, and forceful?
9. Does it carry a double meaning?
10. Does it reflect clear, logical thinking?
11. Is it subject matter significant to the students, the school, the community,
and the country?
12. Are the sentences and paragraphs comparatively short?

Do's and Don'ts in Writing an Editorial

1. Win the reader's interest with an impelling lead paragraph.
2. Avoid generalities by using plenty of facts and by telling what these facts
mean.
3. Keep your editorials short; around 300 words only.
4. Do not preach, scold or moralize.
5. Relate editorials directly to the lives of the reader.
6. Avoid the first firson "I". Use the editorial "We".
7. Write simply.
8. Develop editorial from only one specific, limited idea, phrased in one sentence
and expanded into the body.
9. Sentences and parahgraphs should be relatively short.
10. Accomplish your purpose.

Exercise
DIRECTIONS: Write an argumentative editorial based on the facts given. For this
exercise, it does not matter what your stand is on the issue.
What is important are the parts of your editorial; plenty of facts
supporting your arguments and stand, and the organization of your ideas leading to
logical conclusion.
Give also an appropriate, brief, interestingm and forceful title.
NOTE: This is an old issue, too. But for this purpose just try it.

The Commission on Human Rights, Aug. 16 joined the clamor gainst the restoration of
the death penalty saying that only stringent law enforcement can curb rising
criminality.
CARTOONING

Cartooning - In newspaper and magazine publications, cartooning is the process of

drawing or sketching pictorial caricatures of a person or object in which certain
pecularities are exaggerated to produce either or negative or positive effect. The
subject matter may be on political, social, economic or even moral issues.
Cartooning is derived from two owrds: caricature and lampoon.
A cartoonist may draw an editorial, feature or literacy cartoon depending upon his
purpose. Sometimes, for lack of an appropriate picture to accompany a story,
cartoons to illustrate a feature article. In fact, the nature of a certain story
may even require the use of cartoons. However, cartoons are used mostly as
editorials.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

An editorial cartoon has the same function, qualities and characteristics as the
top editorial. It may inform, influence, argue, criticize, interpret, entertain,
teach, praise or attack. The difference is that an editorial is written while a
cartoon is drawn.
Some newspapers have just one topic for both editorial and cartoonl that is, if the
editorial is on death penalty. Other newspapers have different topics for each of
them, which for the sake of saving precious space, is more practical. Also, if the
editorial is well written, why supplement it with a cartton?

EXERCISE
Direction: The recent pandemic caused great agony, devastating the entire world,
killing thousands of people and leaving in its wake unprecendented misery to the
people, who now need our help very badly.
As a cartoonist of your school paper, prapare an editorial cartoon
depicting the tragedy and at the same time knocking at the hearts of the readers,
appealing to them for all kinds of help you can think of.
Remember, this is not a fine arts contest. What is important hee is your
message - how effective it is in soliciting aid - cash or relief goods, to
alleviate at least the suffering of our less fortunate brethren.