Writing an Editorial or Opinion Column

Step-By-Step:
Step One: Choose an Appropriate Topic - In the context of the Sec 5 English exam, this is
perhaps the most important step. If you get off to a good start here your task becomes much
easier and your chances of success much greater. The key is to read the entire literature
booklet and select a topic that is broad or general enough to incorporate the specific topics
of several of the articles in the literature booklet. In our recent practice exam too many
students simply copied the topic of a single article. Instead the task is to find a topic/theme
that unites the articles. In our practice exam the most obvious uniting theme as !The
"ights of #hildren$.
Step Two: Make an Outline % The key to a good editorial or opinion column is to start ith a
good plan. &ithout this, your riting risks appearing random or incoherent. !'lan hat you
rite and rite hat you plan$ is very good advice.
a( )ormulate your main point * persuasive riting should alays be focused
on persuading the reader of a single point. This is hat you ant to say
about your topic. +ike your topic your main point should be broad enough
to incorporate at least , supporting reasons. -y replacing the italics in the
folloing statement ith specific details one can arrive at the sort of clear
strong statement re.uired/ !Someone should do something about
something$.
b( )ormulate at least , reasons in support of your point * In order for your
riting to be persuasive you need to have at least , reasons in support of
your point. 0eep in mind that each reason should be related to a different
article in the literature booklet.
c( Select the external sources you ill cite * Either select .uotes that ill
support each reason or make brief notes on the information you ill
paraphrase 1more on these 2 options on reverse(
Step Three: Write Rough Copy 3se your outline and the sample structure belo to draft
your rough copy.
Step Four: Eit For Spelling * "ead your rough draft and circle every ord about hose
spelling you are unsure. Then verify in the dictionary. &atch the there/their/they4re.
Step Fi!e: Eit For "unctuation "eread your article specifically focusing on the
punctuation. #heck the end of each sentence5 check for comma use5 check for apostrophes.
Step Si#: Eit For "aragraphing - +ook at your longer paragraphs. Is there any point
here you begin on a ne topic6 If so indicate ith an arro that a ne paragraph should
start.
Step Se!en: Eit For $ra%%ar #heck your verb and tense agreement.
Step Eight: Write &our $oo Copy
Sample Structure
Eitorial
7( 8eadline * Try to use some alliteration
2( 8ook/lead * 9 shocking stat or a rhetorical .uestion orks ell.
,( :b;ective/unbiased description of your topic * paraphrasing external source can be
useful here.
<( 'resent an opposing viepoint * Take your main point and imagine hy someone
might disagree. )or example, !Some have argued that children4s rights should not be
legally protected due to their need for adult protection. 9dults need to control children
form time to time for their on protection. Technically this may involve infringing their
rights$
5( #learly present your main point
=( 'resent your first supporting reason * This involves/ ':I>T * state the reason5
'"::) * paraphrase or .uote an external source5 9>9+?SIS * comment on the
proof presented.
@( 'resent your second supporting reason * 9gain ':I>T, '"::), 9>9+?SIS
A( 'resent your third supporting reason * ':I>T, '"::), 9>9+?SIS
B( #onclude by creatively restating your main point
7C( )inish ith a statement linking to your hook/lead
Opinion Colu%n
7( 8eadline % Try to use some alliteration
2( -y%line * your name
,( 8ook/lead * 9 shocking stat or a rhetorical .uestion orks ell.
<( #reatively introduce your topic
5( #learly present your main point
=( 'resent your first supporting reason * This involves/ ':I>T * state the reason5
'"::) * paraphrase or .uote an external source5 9>9+?SIS * comment on the
proof presented.
@( 'resent your second supporting reason * 9gain ':I>T, '"::), 9>9+?SIS
A( 'resent your third supporting reason * ':I>T, '"::), 9>9+?SIS
B( #onclude by creatively restating your main point
7C( )inish ith a statement linking to your hook/lead
Paraphrasing vs. Quotes
In either case, because this is not an essay or a research paper, you do not include a source
list or bibliography. Instead you acknoledge the source rite in the text. )or example/
!9ccording to the article Saving the #hild Soldiers by -ill SmithD$ or
"araphrasing should be used hen summariEing or describing the central aspect of a text.
)or example/ !In the short story 8arrison -ergeron, 0urt Fonnegut Gr. explores the themes
of conformity and rebellionD$ 'araphrasing is more common in editorial and opinion column
riting.
'uotes should only be used hen there is something specific about the author4s ords you
need to reveal to your reader. This could be a precise statistic or a very specific phrase. )or
example/
:ne of the most en;oyable aspects of Fonnegut4s riting is the creativity and humour
of his figurative language. )or example in describing the effects of Hethical birth
control pills4 in &elcome to the Ionkey 8ouse, Fonnegut rites, !Iost men said
their bottom halves felt like cold iron or balsa%ood. Iost omen said their bottom
halves felt like et cotton or stale ginger ale.$