Opinion Writing

It’s important to have one…

sometimes...
OPINION WRITING VS. NEWS WRITING
The stories are not structured the same way

There is a voice of persuasion in an opinion piece that should not

be found in news writing

Opinion writing/editorials are placed on a separate page AWAY

from news stories

Opinion pages usually DO NOT include advertisements on the

page to avoid the assertion that those advertisers are endorsing
the same opinion
WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?
Journalists consider their work as a way to speak for
the people who cannot speak for themselves, shedding
light on dark areas of their communities
Opinion writing and editorials advocate for change,
but in a different way
ELEMENTS OF A GOOD EDITORIAL

Persuades their audience to change their minds or take action

The matter they address is of local, state or national importance

The writer addresses the audience directly

The writer makes an emotional appeal to the readers

WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL?
Editorial expresses the opinion of the editorial board or the
newspaper as an entity

They tell people what they should be angry about or what should
be happening but isn’t

Presents facts and offer a perspective for ways to solve a

problem

Written in a persuasive voice that asks readers to change their

mind, consider other options or confirm their convictions
WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL?
Tell readers what you want them to do, give them information, tell them what you told them

The purpose isn’t always to criticize:

Teach Attack

Defend Recommend

Question Prod

Entertain Advocate

Expose
CHOOSING A TOPIC AND WRITING AN EDITORIAL
Pick a topic that would be on the front page of the paper

Pick something that is important enough for your editorial board

to take a stance on

Pick something that is of interest to your audience

Who is our audience again?

Make sure it is local

This gives readers a reason to act and a means to act

WRITING THE EDITORIAL:
WRITE IN THE THIRD PERSON

In a column or a review, you can write in the first person, but

an editorial is written in third person

Write concisely editing out unnecessary words, phrases or

sentences

Keep it LESS THAN 300 WORDS

EDITORIAL SUPPORT IS VITAL:
When you have an editorial in the paper you must reach a
decision on your stand as a staff

Have a discussion with the full group and then select one person
to write the piece

When it is finished, read it to the entire staff

At least 50 percent of your staff, plus one more person (a

majority) approves of what is in the editorial that editorial will
be the voice of your staff
AFTER IT IS WRITTEN:
Make sure you can answer “YES!” to the following questions:

Is the topic interesting?

If it is not, why bother?

Is your stand clear? Will the reader know exactly where you
stand? There can be NO wiggle room.

Are there FACTS to support the stand?

Will the headline grab the reader’s attention?

EDITORIAL CARTOONS:

Can either accompany an editorial or stand alone

They should be investigative at some level

They should make the reader feel something and react

MUST have a strong artist

If there is not one on staff, recruit from art class

LETTERS AND GUEST SUBMISSIONS
Good way to see what issues are generating interest in a community

Must develop an editorial policy to share with readers so they know how to
submit their letters, how long they should be and whether or not unsigned
letters can be printed

On the scholastic level, a good length is 300 words

Double check the accuracy of everything the reader has put in the letter

If there are errors, contact the writer and point out the errors.

If they agree to correct, then run the letter

 Opinion Writing
It’s important to have one…
sometimes...