Lecture Notes 10B

WRITING EDITORIALS
Editorial

It is the official stand of the paper on a relevant development or issue. It is a concerted commentary
written by any member of the editorial staff who comments or gives the newspaper’s or staff’s
opinion on an issue which is of interest and importance to the public.

The editorial is considered the soul of the newspaper for it stirs the conscience of the readers to
action; it influences and molds public opinion. It is usually written in formal language, expressing
the stand of the paper on controversial issues of the day. It has no byline.

It is the expression of the people’s conscience, cause, and convictions.—Joseph Pulitzer

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Content of the editorial section
1. Folio
2. Masthead
3. Editorial proper
4. Editorial column
5. Editorialcartoon
6. Editorial liner
7. Letter to the editor
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Characteristics of a good editorial
1. Must have clearness of style
2. Moral purpose
3. Sound reasoning
4. The power to influence public opinion
5. Lead logically to a conclusion
6. Present only one idea
7. Avoid wordiness
8. Present facts not mere opinion
9. Concise, around 250-300 words or 2,000-2,500 computer characters (at most 6 paragraphs)
10. Must be decisive and bias

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Types of editorial
1. Editorial of information
2. Editorial of interpretation
3. Editorial of criticism
4. Editorial of commendation, appreciation, or tribute
5. Editorial of argumentation
6. Editorial of entertainment
7. Mood editorial
8. Pooled editorial

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How to write an editorial?

In writing editorial, select only one specific idea to develop. Be sure the topic is of interest to the
reader.

Organize your editorial in three parts:

1. Introduction
Contains the newspeg with the reaction. It is usually one short paragraph. (A newspeg is a brief
statement about the news event upon which the editorial is based or an existing issue that needs to
be solved right away)

2. Body
It may take two to four short paragraphs that support or justify the reaction. Cite reasons, statistics,
interviews, or figures.

3. Ending
The ending, sometimes called the clincher, summarizes the editorial’s stand. It must be crispy and
difficult to forget.

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Example of an introduction
(reaction is italicized; newspeg is in regularfont)

The new office policy of requiring tardy students to study their lessons in the literary while they wait
for the next period is both timely and wise.
It is a source of great pride and inspiration for our school to come out second in the NSAT
regionwide.

Our general PTA is really generous and concerned for the student’s welfare. They will donate labor
and materials to improve the schoolgym.

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TITLES
Like in feature articles, the editorial has also a head or title which should be brief (preferably less
than four words), forceful and interesting. In writing editorials, there is no room for “balimbings.”
Though the writer must present both sides, he/she must, in the end, take a concrete stand on the
issue. To perfect this, one must keep on toes on the different issues swarming the society from the
most complicated to the most mundane topics.

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Pointers in writing editorial
1. Make the editorial interesting enough toread.
2. Develop it from one specific, limited idea, phrased in one sentence and expanded
into the body of theeditorial.
3. Have a purpose well in mind that should be accomplished with sufficient data.
4. Organize all data into well-reasoned arguments, with eachargument leading up to the
conclusion.
5. Peg the lead sentence on 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 aconsensus.
8. Article must be simple, direct, clear, and forceful.
9. No double meanings.
10. It must reflect clear, logical thinking.
11. Subject matter must be significant to thereaders.
12. Sentences and paragraphs must be comparativelyshort.

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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 (2,500 computer characters) only.
4. Do not preach, scold ormoralize.
 5. Relate editorials directly to the lives of the reader.
6. Avoid the first person, “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 paragraphs should be relativelyshort.
10. Accomplish your purpose
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Editorial beginnings

An editorial may start with:

1. A simple statement that gives enough of the situation, problem or news to be discussed.
2. A question that calls attention to, give an idea about the problem or point out the logical
development of the topic.
3. A striking statement that jolts the imagination and arouses the interest of the reader.
4. A quotation relevant to the subject underdiscussion.
5. A narrative illustrating the problem orsituation.
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Example:
Vandals
ATENEO de Iloilo’s walls have a new coat of paint and are presently clean.
Whether they retain their present state of cleanliness depends almost entirely on the students.
The first spots appeared as a result of negligent student leaning against the walls and scraping the soles
of their shoes on them. Some students have also taken a peculiar delight in making long pencil scrawls
on the walls as they go to classes.
According to an observant parent, Ateneans, more than any other group of students, abuse their
buildings. This report, whether true or otherwise, should serve as a challenge.
Will the walls remain clean?