Braver.

Better.
A Practical Guide to
Writing Sharper
Editorials
The
Editorial
reflects the quality of
the publication’s
analysis.
Understanding the Basics
• Headline
• Lead
• Backgrounder
• Affirmative Points
• Oppositional Points
• Impressions from the Synthesis
• Conclusion
• Call to Action
Understanding the Basics
• Headline – Appropriate instead of Clickbait
• Lead – General idea/No room for novelty
• Backgrounder - Context
• Affirmative Points - Positive
• Oppositional Points - Negative
• Impressions from the Synthesis – Key Findings
• Conclusion – Recalling key points of the article
• Call to Action – “Moving Forward”
The most effective
Editorial
is usually the simply-
written one.
Who are your
Readers?
Arguments with
Prof. Victor Rey Fumar
“Di’ba puro academics nagbabasa ng
dyaryo natin? Wouldn’t it imply the
need for sophistication?

Prof. Victor Rey Fumar:

“Ganon ba ‘yon?”
Again,
Who are your
Readers?
More than anyone, the

Masses
Are the ones who are in dire
need of the editorial.
The
Editorial
is NOT an opinion,
nor is it based from
one.
The
Editorial
is a societal AUDIT.
Anatomizing the Audit
• The Subject (What the proponents say)
• Word of Mouth (What the people say)
• Social Media Conversations (What the online
community says)
• Research and Social Statistics (What the
readings and numbers say)
Questions to answer:
• What is the interest of Russia in occupying
Ukraine?
• How does the Russia-Ukraine Crisis affect the
Philippines?
• What is the context of the US in terms of their
intentions to add more US Bases in PH?
• What’s in it for PH (China)
• What’s in it for PH (US)
Questions to answer:
• What would we expect in the undergoing
conflict between US-Russia-China?
• What should the role of the Filipino people be
(not the watered-down pray for the people
sentiment)?
Note: Whoever stumbles on this document and explained with
rigorous comprehension will receive the Chomsky-Achcar book
What we have realized:
• Formulating the concept takes LONGER than
actually writing.
• A group discussion (the educational
discussion) is focal in the development of the
analysis.
• Editorial writing involves cross-referencing
multiple readings; primarily the collection of
the news that is published in the newspaper.
What we have realized:
• Editorial writing SIMPLIFIES the sophisticated
findings.
• Journalists act as ‘competent interpreters’ for
the masses.
The writing starts
NOW.
Editorial Examination
Write a 300-word editorial explaining the
sudden reactivation of the US push to add
more military bases in the country.

Send the complete and polished rehash of

today’s workshop via https://bit.ly/3IgEoM0

Timeline: Until the end of the Examination

Proper (60 mins.)