Writing an Editorial

Another Tutorial by:

Alan Weintraut
Annandale High School
Annandale, VA 22312
Atraut@aol.com

CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING

An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial
board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in
the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way
they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take
action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.

Editorials have:

1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories

2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities and
refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial
should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's opinion. Give it some punch.

Four Types of Editorials Will:

1. Explain or interpret: Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a sensitive or
controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules or a particular student-body effort like a food
drive.
2. Criticize: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while providing solutions to the
problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers to see the problem, not the solution.
3. Persuade: Editorials of persuasion aim to immediately see the solution, not the problem. From the first paragraph,
readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive action. Political endorsements are good examples of editorials of
persuasion.
4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not as common as the
other three.

Writing an Editorial

1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers.
2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research
3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement
4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is important
5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts
6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures, quotations. Pick apart the other side's
logic.
7. Concede a point of the opposition — they must have some good points you can acknowledge that would make you look
rational.
8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader's minds.
9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Encourage critical thinking and pro-
active reaction.
10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis statement).
11. Keep it to 500 words; make every work count; never use "I"

A Sample Structure

I. Lead with an Objective Explanation of the Issue/Controversy.

Include the five W's and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are looking to cut funding from
public television. Hearings were held …)

 Pull in facts and quotations from the sources which are relevant.
 Additional research may be necessary.

II. Present Your Opposition First.

As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you. (Republicans feel that
these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick them; only the rich watch public television.)

 Use facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions.

 Give a strong position of the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting a weak position.

III. Directly Refute The Opposition's Beliefs.

You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a "sandbox for the rich." However,
statistics show most people who watch public television make less than $40,000 per year.)

 Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support your position.
 Concede a valid point of the opposition which will make you appear rational, one who has considered all the
options (fiscal times are tough, and we can cut some of the funding for the arts; however, …).

IV. Give Other, Original Reasons/Analogies

In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest order. (Taking money away from public television is
robbing children of their education …)

 Use a literary or cultural allusion that lends to your credibility and perceived intelligence (We should render unto
Caesar that which belongs to him …)

V. Conclude With Some Punch.

Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should look to where real wastes exist —
perhaps in defense and entitlements — to find ways to save money. Digging into public television's pocket hurts us all.)

 A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected source

 A rhetorical question can be an effective concluder as well (If the government doesn't defend the interests of
children, who will?)
Go to the library or any computer lab and complete the “webquest” located at

http://library.thinkquest.org/50084/index.shtml
http://library.thinkquest.org/50084/editorials/index.html
What Is Editorial Essay?

Many young authors ask, "What is an editorial essay?" One must understand what editorial stands for: it is a newspaper
article that tends to contain and explain author's ideas. This piece of writing can be on any topic. It usually deals with
social issues. Just like in your research paper, you have to provide enough credible evidence to support your opinion.

Detailed research has to be conducted ahead to discover a particular point of view an author wishes to argue. An editorial
must contain both problems description and possible solutions to it. When writing about the issue associated with obese
population, the writer should end up giving specific recommendations on how to deal with this problem. He can develop a
message for both those who suffer from this disorder and healthcare professionals who should handle it.

The authors speak to the local governments hoping to motivate them to act. As you can see, writing an editorial has a lot
in common with writing an essay or research paper. So, in case you were good at writing in your school, college, or
university papers, it would make no problem for you to come up with any writing piece, including an interesting editorial.

How to Write an Editorial Essay of Different Types?

Editorials have uncommon classification; instead of being classified by their nature, they are classified by their purposes.
There is no way to obtain an answer to the question "What is editorial writing?" without learning the basics of each type.
When you work on your piece, mind that you can either:

 Explain/describe/interpret the topic

Explain how the chosen newspaper article covers the specific topic. An argument should be sensitive, debatable, and
controversial to attract the readers. Example: You're a high school newspaper editor who decides to interpret the recently
established writing standards to your peers.

 Criticize the issue

Critical thinking is what every good writer needs to create a meaningful writing piece which covers a significant problem.
A good editorial criticizes specific actions or cases while providing solutions to the existing issue. The main goal is to
allow the audience see the problem instead of the solution.

 Persuade the readers of the truth of the editorial's main argument

In contrast to the pieces which criticize, persuasive pieces focus on the suggested solutions without going into the
problem's details. From the opening paragraph (introduction), the author should motivate his readers to take a specific
action to implement the solution. Political endorsements are great examples of persuasive editorials.

 Praise

Editorials of this type appreciate people or organizations that have done something special and beneficial.

Read the tips from experts below to better understand what is an editorial essay.

Tips on Writing Persuasive Editorial Essay

In the age of advanced social media and harsh competition in the writing industry, people wonder how to write a editorial
for a newspaper. Hopefully, these tips and advice from the industry's expert will help young authors to master the art.
  Choose a credible newspaper which edition is no less than 100,000 copies. Try to pick newspapers read by
millions of people. They tend to discuss the most relevant topics as well as provide the most recent facts and
possible solutions to current problems.
 Work with controversial topics. Controversial topics are debatable, and it is a time-tested way to get readers
engaged in the discussion by continuing with their own research or asking additional questions.
 Writing an editorial is about making decisions. A writer cannot take both sides of the controversial topic; pick
one which you believe is correct according to your experience and knowledge.
 There are many ways to explain how to write an editorial piece. Young authors should do the same; they must
offer many different solutions to keep in mind to provide people with choices. It is important to test the
effectiveness of every solution before offering it.

Read the expert advice which will help to understand how to write an editorial and what makes this type of paper so
special.

"To make your argument sound stronger, come up with several analogies. The author has a right to decide between cultural,
social, and political analogies because people tend to trust these fields. Example: Your research problem is the effectiveness
of mobile spying applications. Research similar cases in other technologically advanced countries where the majority of
the population uses such tools to guarantee family's safety. Writing an editorial always includes finding solutions. Discover
how other countries solved the problem."

How to Write an Editorial for a Newspaper?

No matter what type of editorial you choose, the newspaper article has specific features every editor should keep in mind.

1. Introduction paragraph, several body paragraphs, and impressive conclusion. The structure is the same most
academic essays have.
2. An objective interpretation of the problem or question with the help of facts, statistics, figures, etc. Complex
issues deserve more attention than simple topics.
3. A timely news angle.
4. Arguments provided by the opposing side aimed to prove the information is 100% objective, unbiased, and
complete.
5. Author's points of view written in a formal language (excellent editorials do not focus on personalities when
trying to persuade the reader).
6. Other possible solutions to the discussed cases obtained with the help of constructive criticism and
professionalism.
7. A summary which encloses with the powerful Call to Action (CTA).

Check the instructor's guidelines (word count limitations, content, and formatting) before start writing the introduction.
The rest of the text provides a specific answer to the question, "How to write an editorial essay?"

Editorial Essay Topics

We would like to share top essay topics with the most interesting research problems and possible solutions to them.

1. Charter Schools Are About Making Choices

Example:"Public charter schools belong to the public schooling system. It means that they follow the accepted teaching
standards. These institutions must demonstrate the effectiveness of their established methods. Otherwise, public charter
schools risk being closing for inability to present high achievements. It is the responsibility of local staff to educate the
students in accordance with all standards of American school system."
 2. Reality Television Shows Develop and Alternate Reality

Example: "TV shows categorized as reality make people lose the sense of reality. Directors force the audience to believe
that all challenges tackled by the players every day take place in real life, and the consequences are sometimes adverse.
Studies by Dr. Gibson from Michigan University prove excessive viewing of TV shows belonging to this category result
into a higher level of aggression among the general population of the United States. These shows should have different
rankings to prevent adolescents from watching them."

3. The Benefits of Higher Education in the U.S.

4. Subprime Crisis: Causes and Consequences

5. Opinion on Marijuana Legalization: Does Marijuana Help to Relax or It’s Another Harm to Human Brain?

6. Problem with Banning Cigarettes

7. NBA Season Summary: Preparation, Primary Goals, Expectations, Best Players, Forecasts, Results, and
Discussions

8. Facts That Prove Gambling Is Illegal

9. Proper Treatment for Diabetes

10. Why Should Government Allow Capital Punishment?

You can find more great essay examples along with powerful research papers on the professional academic writing
services. Now, learn how to write a newspaper editorial step-by-step.

STEP 1. DECIDING ON YOUR TOPIC

The best idea is to select a debatable social opinion and discuss it from all possible aspects. Readers are always
encouraged to read an editorial from cover to cover when it has a loud and provoking title; it's another thing to consider.
Writing down all good ideas after the process of brainstorming is a must.

The topic must be up-to-date and relevant to the frequently discussed issues within one community. An interesting subject
guarantees that a reader will read your newspaper editorial from cover to cover. Use only the most recent sources to grab
necessary evidence from them.

The following link contains a long list of argumentative essay topics of all times which might be helpful when composing
your piece.

STEP 2. STATING YOUR OPINION

Developing an editorial is pretty much developing an argumentative essay. You have to pick a debatable, recently
discussed, or contradictive topic and highlight your position towards this issue using powerful evidence. A controversial
subject should describe both sides of the coin. Don't lose your piece of mind and become subjective as it is unprofessional.

In the case of any difficulties, you may also count on professional writing and editing service, which will help to develop
and continue the main idea of your article.

STEP 3. WRITING AN OUTLINE

Remember doing an outline for your term or research paper? Working on a newspaper article involves this stage which is
done to stick to the point when new ideas appear in the text. Besides, your opinions will be organized and structured.
STEP 4. WRITING AN EDITORIAL ITSELF
Build an argument around your problem; then, select a headline that draws reader's attention automatically. You can
include an exclamation mark to attract more attention. You can also put a question mark at the end. When you come to
your main argument, make sure to support it with various examples or analogies. You might be interested in pointing to
negative and positive aspects of the same issue.

EXTRA PROMPTS:

 Apply statistics and facts taken from the primary sources you found online or in the library to assist in proving
your argument.
 The most persuasive argument should be left for the end.
 Don't be passive in the rest of less powerful arguments; otherwise, your audience will lose interest to your
editorial.

STEP 5. CONCLUSION, OR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

The process of developing an editorial should end up with the conclusion. Make sure your editorial indulges in
constructive criticism. When there is one point of view, there always should be another one: let's say you are talking about
government's regulations aimed to reduce the number of tobacco usage. Discuss why these steps might be more effective
than some others, and propose alternative regulations.

Writing an editorial is a huge and responsible step in your career. You may order an effective newspaper article from
online experts to catch the eye of your readers. The offered website does not charge high fees on custom writing.