Editorial Writing: tips and resources for contestants in the press conferences (district, division,

regional, and national)

Index of topics:

A. The SPECS format and the UIL / ILPC format for editorials; the ABCDEF format;

Just remember the acronym SPECS

S- State the problem.
P- Position yourself (Show your stand)
E- Evidence (provide evidences on your stand and also provide evidence for the other
stand but make sure that your stand still prevails)
C- Conclusion (summarize. Provide the generalization of your point)
S- Solution (provide solutions that you can offer for the argument. Make sure it will call
the people to make a move or action)

Besides the SPECS format and the UIL-ILPC format for editorials, you can also use the
ABCDEF format discussed by Ulrich Boser in “How To Write an Op-ed: A Step By Step
Guide” (The Learning Agency). While the article differentiates between an editorial and an
op-ed, the ABCDEF formula can be used in writing an editorial or any kind of writing that
involves expressing an opinion.

A - Attention (lead; narrative flash; news flash lead);

B - Billboard (nut graph);
C - Context (history graph);
D - Demonstrate (facts or evidence to support your opinion or point; ethos, pathos, and
logos);
E - Equivocate (rebuttal of the strongest counterargument to your opinion or point);
F - Forward (conclusion; drawing your readers to look toward the future)
Practical tips when joining the editorial writing contest in the press conferences:

A. Pay attention to your TLC (title, lead, and conclusion); because of the limited time that
speakers/judges have for checking the entries, these are the things they will look at before deciding
to read your entry.

B. Seven-paragraph format for an editorial as suggested in Taglish by someone in the FB page

“Speak Up: Campus Journalism Community”:

Paragraph 1 - hook
> in here, you can go and put a hook or something that will catch your readers' attention. it can be a
question, quotation, or your very own stand, to introduce or give the audience an idea about your
editorial.

Paragraph 2 - news peg (nut graf)

> this is your paragraph in a nutshell, where you will give the information regarding your topic. Give
the 5 W's and H. Include only the most relevant and important information.

Paragraph 3 - your stand

> You can give your stand to the topic in here. Explain why you have such stand. Must be very clear
in giving your opinion on the topic, wag paligoy-ligoy.

Paragraph 4 - refutation
> Refute or counter a point from the opposition. Refutation in your editorial shows na sa pag
dedecide mo ng iyong stand, ay consider mo rin ang other side. So, it gives the reader the idea na
alam mo talaga ang iyong sinasabi and that you have looked thoroughly about it.

Paragraph 5 reason of your stand

> Give further evidences and reasons why you believe such things that you have said. Your point
must be stated clearly and concise. Statistics and numbers make the article more believable too,
pero dapat tama lahat ng ilalagay don at walang pineke o gawa-gawang info.

Paragraph 6 reason of your stand

> Dagdagan pa ang reason mo. One idea lang per paragraph, though. Huwag bugbugin ang reader na
basahin ang sandamakmak na idea sa iisang talata.

Paragraph 7 - conclusion
> Editorial must be ended strongly. Huwag yung nagsimulang napakalakas pero nagtapos nang
mahina. Keep the strong start to the end. Restate o ulitin ang stand. You can give advice to the
reader as well.
Another additional tips:

For editorial writing, the most important thing to remember is that you’re not just
presenting the facts; you're sharing an opinion and persuading your readers.

Start with a clear standpoint on the issue you're tackling—this will be your thesis
statement. Make sure your opinion is strong and well-supported by facts or logical reasoning.
When writing, always think about your audience. You want to speak to their emotions, but also
provide them with a clear, well-thought-out argument. Your lead should grab attention, so don’t
be afraid to ask a tough question or make a bold statement to start off. After that, build your
argument in the body of your editorial, breaking down the points clearly and logically.

Finally, end with a strong conclusion. A good editorial doesn't just give opinions, but also
calls for action or reflection—whether it's urging people to think differently, vote a certain way, or
take a specific action. For the tone, keep it authoritative yet conversational. Your readers need to
trust you, but you also don’t want to sound too stiff or preachy. Just be sure to avoid personal
attacks—focus on the issue, not the person—and always be mindful of your language to keep it
respectful but firm.

Tip 1: Your Headline should be short and catchy (not exceeding 5-9 words)

Tip2: Be Updated about certain issue so that you will not support the Fact Sheet but the Fact sheet
will support you

Tip3: It should always be biased no to neutralism if you prefer the positive then stay there and if
you prefer the negative then stay there

Tip 4: Learn how to Put Source or the speaker of a quote never forget to put their names in your
Body Tip 5: Allusion, you can consider the other side but not about its positivity but with its
negativity, about its Struggles and Disadvantages

Tip 6: Write from your heart Use feelings while Writing never Let your writing to be weak

Tip 7: In conclusion paragraph, Make it more powerful than your lead because its summarizes the
whole Editorial, and After your conclusion write the solution to that problem you were writing
about, on how it will be solve

Tip 8: Follow the SPECS rule *Situation (News Peg/issue) *Position (Stand/Angle) *Evidence
(factual/credible) *Conclusion (Summary/Whole) *Solution (typically answers the question HOW
to solve) For the Possible topic, Its always about timely news so be updated, That's all hope you
can use this little help toffee. On your title naman, think of something catchy and witty. And the
shorter the better title. Mas maganda sa title is when your reader already knows your stand by
simply reading your title. And lastly, learn where to put your evidences. Since these evidences are
your support, their placement is really important. Especially if you want your article to be
"matapang". And this will help you to defend your stand better.