Editorial Writing

Do you have an opinion? Let’s face it…teenagers have opinions about everything Parents, school, politics, fashion, etc. The trick is knowing HOW & WHEN to voice it. Let’s look at some current events. What do you think about them?

Let’s look at some topics. School Dress Code City Curfew Restrictions Legal Voting/Drinking/Driving age

J-Jargon Editorial – The newspaper’s opinion about a certain situation or problem Used to discuss situations that may affect the readers Always expressed as opinions

J-Jargon Editorial Page – a page in the newspaper which includes editorials, columns, opinion articles, reviews and cartoons. If the paper contains more than one opinion page, the others are called op-ed pages.

J-Jargon Editorial Board – a group of people, usually the top editors, who decide on a plan for each editorial that will appear in a newspaper

What do editorials do? Explain or interpret Evaluate Criticize Persuade Praise

What do I write about? Where do editorial ideas come from? The daily lives of students in the school – their interaction with each other, the faculty and the administration. This interaction affects classes, extracurricular activities, jobs and after-school activities. Also community, state, national and international issues are of concern to the well-informed student.

How to write an editorial Editorials are where fact and opinion mix You must tell the reader something that would not be discussed in a straight news story The editorial must be researched carefully and just as thoroughly as a news story The newspaper’s reputation is based on the accuracy of the supporting material found in an editorial NO direct quotes belong in an editorial

How to organize an editorial State the subject, and your position on the subject Discuss opposing points of view Prove your position with supporting details Draw a conclusion and end with a punch

How to organize and editorial In a nutshell SPECS (1st sentence) State the problem or situation (2nd sentence) State your position Give 3 arguments or pieces of evidence to support your position State and refute the position on the other side in the conclusion Offer a possible solution to the problem. This is also known as the Call to Action (CTA)

How to organize and editorial Situation & Position These are the first 2 sentences in your article. Your lead should ONLY have these 2 sentences.

How to organize an editorial When stating your position, be very clear. For example, let's suppose you wanted to write an editorial on the problem of guns being brought to school: Attempt # 1: Guns in school. This is a weak thesis. It states the general topic, but it is not stated in a full sentence. Furthermore, it is not an arguable statement. Attempt # 2: Guns in school are bad. Better, but still weak. It states a truth that few people would question, so it is not controversial enough. Attempt # 3: Steps should be taken at Central High to keep guns away. We're getting closer. But exactly what steps should be taken? Again, would anybody question the thesis? Attempt # 4: Metal detectors and security police should be implemented at Central High to prevent shooting sprees by troubled students. This is a thesis we can consider. It is an arguable statement. It deals with a current, relevant societal problem. Once a workable thesis is developed, organize the structure. Sort your arguments. Which facts support the thesis. Which don't directly relate (set these aside for future reference)?

Writing as an editorial board Most of the time you are writing as the opinion of the paper, not as an individual No bylines Avoid, “I” or “In my opinion” These words weaken your argument anyway It is much stronger to say, “This is an injustice” than to say, “I think this is wrong.” If writing as an individual, you should still avoid “I”

Letters to the editor It is a healthy sign for the newspaper when readers submit letters This shows they are actually reading the paper and are using the op-ed pages as they should be used…as a public forum If some controversy is stirred because of what appears in the paper, that, too, is a healthy sign…it shows that the newspaper is causing readers to think and to get involved

How to write a Letter to the editor Remain polite Although editorials are meant to be an outlet to voice your opinion, rude articles never got anyone anywhere. Find a way to get your point across in a polite and professional manner. Be specific General statements get lost in the shuffle Reference specific articles that you are responding to

How to write a Letter to the editor Stick to one topic Pick your battles…you are much more likely to get your point across if you stick to one topic at a time Back up your argument Just as in a ‘regular’ editorial, you need to use facts and figures to back up your argument State your qualifications If you have credentials…use them to your advantage Ex: Having played football myself for six years…

How to write a Letter to the editor Be concise Get to the point…nobody has all day to read your letter. If it is too long, it will get skipped over

Your Turn Write JUST THE LEAD for the topics described on the worksheet. Remember to keep it 2 sentences ONLY. 1. Topic 2. Position It should also remain in a third person voice.