EDITORIAL

WRITING

Dir. PURITA S. LICAS

Regional Director, PIA-2 Philippine Information
Agency
 What is an
EDITORIAL?

Photo by Startup Stock Photos from

It is an analytical
interpretation of
significant and timely
topics or issues.
It expresses the stand of
the newspaper on
controversial issues of
the day.
It is also an expression of facts and opinions in concise, logical and
pleasing order to influence opinion, or to interpret significant
news such that its importance to the reader will be clear.
Who
writes the
editorial?
The whole staff chooses the topic based on the
news events, discusses the issue extensively and
gathers and organizes the data.
It is the best writer among the staff who writes the
editorial, seeing to it that the important ideas of
the group are incorporated in the piece.
Characteristics of a Good Editorial Writer
✓ Present facts
honestly and fully,
✓ Never be
motivated by
personal interests,
nor use his
influence to seek
special favors for
himself or for
others.
✓ Realizes he/she is
not infallible.
✓ Should have the
courage of well-
founded conviction
and democratic
philosophy of life.
Characteristics of a GOOD EDITORIAL
 interesting, brief and forceful

clear and must have moral purpose, sound reasoning and

power to influence public opinion

factual and provide pertinent information, arguments to

support the stand which are based on facts

concise with only 250 to 300 words in four to five

paragraphs
Types of Editorial
 Interpretation

- attempts to explain the significance

or meaning of news events,
situations or issues

Types of Editorial
 Criticism
- points out and analyzes the faults in a situation
mentioned in the news that concerns and interests
the readers. It uses the scientific method of
defining the problem, examining evidence
available and then, perhaps suggests
solution.
Criticize CONSTRUCTIVELY
Types of Editorial
 Commendation /
Appreciation /
Tribute
gives praise to a worthy deed done by a person
or by an institution

Types of Editorial
 Entertainment

discusses its topic lightly and may evoke a

chuckle or two, but often has a serious
point gently and subtly suggested.

Types of Editorial
 How to
WRITE?

Understanding the Writing Process

You can choose to tackle any of the
issues, events, faces appearing in the
news but try as much as possible to make
the editorial acquire the following values:

Understanding the Writing Process

Current & Timely
Substantive
Offers insights
Free of Conflict of
interest
Obtain background material and
information about your topic.
✓ Observe
✓ Read, read, read
✓ Interview

Understanding the Writing Process

3. Identify your purpose and your audience
 Will it merely inform?
 Or do you want to interpret, criticize, suggest
reforms, urge readers to action?
3. Organize Information
 . One Editorial – One Point Rule.
- Focus on a theme
- Always have one point to convey
- Several points confuse the readers
 Choose details that are necessary. See to it that
every word used counts and serves its purpose.
 Check the accuracy of facts and figures
 Parts of Editorial

Introduction

 It is the beginning paragraph.

 It may contain the news upon which the editorial is
based. In such a case, the introduction is called the
news peg.
 BODY
This contains the facts about the news or
issues including the paper’s opinion or
viewpoints.
It builds up the case through a logical
arrangement of ideas supported by facts.
The body may be made up of three to four
paragraphs.
 Conclusion
This is the last part that either summarizes
or drives home the point.
It ties up the ideas and arguments
presented in the body.
May be in the form of challenge,
command,
Important Things to Remember when writing
the editorial

1. If the editorial must have an impelling lead

paragraph, it follows that it must also
have a good ending.
Start STRONG and End STRONG
2. The editorial writer must remember that the
most emphatic positions are the
BEGINNING and ENDING
3. Avoid high fallutin’ words.
4. Learn to develop a simple, clear, direct and
vigorous style of writing.
5. Choose your words that will accurately
describe or explain a point or issue.
6. There are no “I”, and “me”, in editorial. It
should be “we” and “us”.
THANK YOU!