TOPIC: Editorial Writing

Date: October 21. 2021

Editorial (Heart of the Newspaper)

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

Purposes of an Editorial
The reasons for editorial are to inform, to entertain, to persuade, and to criticize
an idea or an issue.

Contents of an Editorial Page

1. Folio – consist of page number, date of publication and the name of

newspaper usually written on the top of the page.
2. Masthead – the editorial box containing the list of names of staff members
and positions of editors in the publication.
3. Editorial proper – a commentary written by any of the editors who
comments or gives an opinion about a particular issue of the staff.
4. Editorial column – a personal opinion written by the columnist himself. Like
the editorial proper it may attack, entertain, teach or appeal an issue
depending upon its purpose.
5. Editorial cartoon – is a caricature emphasizing a simple point. Usually
humorous, it has the function of the editorial. Standing by itself, it is not a
complement of the editorial proper.
6. Editorial liner – a short statement or quoted sayings placed at the end of
editorial columns or of an editorial to drive home some message.
7. Letters to the editor – are letters sent in by the reader giving his personal
views on certain aspects.

Characteristics of Good Editorial

1. Interest – it must capture the attention of the readers.
2. Brevity – it must be concise and direct to the point.
3. Force – it must be full of power depending on its purpose.

Types of Editorial
1. Editorial of Information – it seeks to give insights, data and information
 about a complicated issue or promoting a particular event/organization.
TOPIC EXAMPLE: Lowering the Age of Criminal Liability
2. Editorial of Interpretation – it explains the significance of a news event,
current idea, situation or a condition, a theory or hypothesis.
TOPIC EXAMPLE: NDGM’s Gradual Increase of Enrolment Rate
3. Editorial of Criticism – it points out the good or 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.
TOPIC EXAMPLE: Banning of Gadgets inside the School
Premises
4. Editorial of Commendation – it praises, commends or pays tribute to a
person or an organization that performed some worthwhile projects or deeds
or accomplishments.
TOPIC EXAMPLE: NDGM’s ConnectED with DLSU
5. Editorial of Argumentation – it is also called the editorial of persuasion.
The editor tries to argue to convince or persuade the readers.
TOPIC EXAMPLE: Mandatory Drug Test Among HS Students
6. Editorial of Entertainment – it evokes a smile, a chuckle, a laughter
while suggesting the truth which is usually short.
TOPIC EXAMPLE: Irony of a Star Section
7. Mood Editorial – it presents a philosophy rather than an argument or an
explanation. Oftentimes, the subject matter is nature.
TOPIC EXAMPLE: NDGM’s Academic Curriculum aligned with
the Oblates’ Mission-Vision

Steps in Editorial Writing

S- State the SITUATION.
P- State your POSITION.
E- Give EVIDENCE to support your position.
C- State and refute the position of the other side in the CONCLUSION.
S- Offer two possible SOLUTIONS to the problem.

Tips in Writing an Editorial

1. Always use an active voice.
2. Always think of original thoughts.
3. Always provide strong pieces of evidence to support your claim.
4. Always be mature, fair and reasonable with your statements.
5. Always offer a solution.
6. Never use “I” as a point of view.
7. Never add bylines in your editorials.
8. Never use phrases such as, “I think”, “in my opinion” and “I believe that” in
your editorials.
9. Never end your editorial with hanging conclusions.
10. Never forget your sole purpose in editorial writing.

Structure in Editorial Writing

Head- Introduces the problem, issue and situation.

Neck- Takes a stand or position about the issue.
Body- Provides three reasons that support your position.
Arms- Present conflicting ideas about the presented reasons
Legs- Presents logical solutions and powerful conclusions
Heart- The core of the whole publication lies within its purpose.