Editorial Writing

Entry Task In your own words, define editorial. Why would editorials be important to Spartan News? Write-Pair-Share

Learning Targets Students will be able to define editorial. Students will be able to identify the key parts of an editorial. Students will write editorials for Spartan News.

Editorial  A newspaper article written by or on behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a topical issue.  An article that states the newspaper’s stance on a particular issue. Since we are in English class, think of it this way: Basically, it is a persuasive essay that offers a solution to a problem.

The Editorial Page The editorial page of any newspaper is the VOICE of the editorial staff and the readers. It expresses the opinion of whatever the management of the publication feels in relation to the present occasion.

Objectives of an Editorial To explain and interpret the news, to put it in on its proper perspective, to analyze it, to draw conclusions from that analysis and To persuade the readers to follow a course of action that the newspaper believes is for the public good regardless of party interests involved

Functions of an Editorial Writer Explaining the news Filling the background Forecasting the future Passing moral judgment

Principles of Editorial Writing

The code of principles emphasizes the scientific method in arriving at and presenting the TRUTH. The editorial writer should present facts honestly and fully. The editorial writer should draw objective conclusions from the stated facts, basing them upon the weight of evidence and upon his considered concept of the greatest good. The editorial writer should never be motivated by personal interest, nor use his influence to seek special favors for himself or for others.

Structure of Editorial Writing

Our SITUATION … Leaguetown High School, located in West Texas, has 700 students enrolled in grades Every year in May, the school hosts an awards ceremony during the day to honor particular students. Usually about 200 to 250 students earn honors every year. The ceremony takes about an hour and a half and the entire school attends. Last year, several students had to be escorted out of the gym for disruptive behavior. This year, Principal Jimenez proposed moving the awards ceremony to the evening so more parents and community members can attend. Only a handful of parents attended the assembly last year. Several teachers complained that moving the ceremony to the evening is not fair to them because they do not receive extra pay for working extra hours. The Parent-Teacher Association president Linda Fowler said she supports the move because it will allow parents to see their children receive their awards. Principal Jimenez said she will speak with parents, teachers and students before making her final decision. You are writing for the next issue of the Press which will be distributed Friday, Feb. 22.

The HEAD of our Editorial For example: As a result of last year’s disruptive behavior and at the request of several parents, Principal Flor Jimenez proposed moving the end of the year awards ceremony to the evening. Think-Pair-Share

The NECK of our Editorial For example: The evening is the perfect time for the awards ceremony. What is your opinion??? Think-Pair-Share

The BODY of our Editorial Give three reasons why you are taking your stand. 1)No loss of class time for an awards ceremony. 2)Only interested students would attend. The disruptive ones would stay home. 3)More parents and community members could attend an evening ceremony. Think-Pair-Share

An ARM of our Editorial Support your arguments with evidence and examples. Your English teachers call this elaboration. Only a small portion of the student body win awards, but all students attend the ceremony. If the ceremony was in the evening, no students would lose valuable class time to sit and watch others receive recognition. That time could be used for preparing students for semester exams and end of course exams.

The other ARM of our editorial Opposing viewpoints are rebutted. You shut down the opposition. Opponents of the move say the audience would be too small, but a small audience is easier to control and more intimate for the students. A smaller audience also means the ceremony could be held in the acoustic-friendly auditorium instead of the gym. Think-Pair-Share

The LEGs of our editorial If you are going to complain about something, you must have a better way of doing it. This proposal is a good one. Principal Jimenez is looking for feedback. Students and faculty should tell her they support this change to make this year’s ceremony better than ever.. Think-Pair-Share

What can go wrong?  You didn’t take a stand. (There are both positives and negatives to this new proposal.)  The argument was stale and generalized. Be specific to the situation. (Award ceremonies are outdated and should be abolished.)  You asked too many rhetorical questions without stating an opinion. (Why would anyone want to change this? Why can’t students behave? Why should students attend?)  You used quotes. One (maybe) quote is enough for an editorial. You don’t need any.  **FOR OUR RUBRIC, YOU WILL NEED A NEWS STORY TO ACCOMPANY YOUR EDITORIAL (IF SUBMITTING FOR STORY CREDIT FOR THAT WEEK)**

What can go wrong?  The wording was pompous or pretentious. (Scholarly learners are worthy of acknowledgement for toiling on their diurnal coursework.)  You turned into a preacher. (Disruptive students must attend awards ceremonies to learn how to become better people.)  You got off topic. (Receiving an award can change a student’s life. It changed mine.)  Your argument lacked credibility. (The awards ceremony should be held in the morning because disruptive students don’t come to school early.)  You used stereotypes or made personal attacks. (Principal Jimenez must be crazy for suggesting this change.)

As a result of last year’s disruptive behavior and at the request of several parents, Principal Flor Jimenez proposed moving the end of the year awards ceremony to the evening. While this plan has its drawbacks, it’s not all bad. For instance, having a ceremony at night would allow more parents and community members to attend. Not all parents can take off work in the middle of the day to see their student receive an award. On the other hand, if the ceremony is held at night, not all students will attend. This ceremony could motivate non-award- winning students to do better in classes. If they are not there, how can they be motivated? Table Talk: What went wrong?

As a result of last year’s disruptive behavior and at the request of several parents, Principal Flor Jimenez proposed moving the end of the year awards ceremony to the evening. This is a good idea for the students and the parents. An evening award ceremony could be more formal for parents and students. Students could use this opportunity to wear their prom dresses and nice suits. Only wearing a prom dress once during high school seems like a waste of money and quite silly. Parents also could wear their Sunday best so everyone would look spectacular at the ceremony. Table Talk: What went wrong?

Starting at the dawn of the new year, young scholars who excel in their learning environment have been praised by their educationalists at a ceremonial festivity. At present, Principal Flor Jimenez has put forth a blueprint to dispose of the school day annual ritual. She would like to transport this passage to dusk. This plan is atrocious. It will affect a plethora of young scholars in a detrimental manner. Table Talk: What went wrong?

Table Talk Sample Editorial #2  Hits?  Misses?

Remember the key to a successful Editorial …  Think. Original thought.  Provide strong evidence to support your stance  Write in third person (some first person plural)

 Use active voice  Be mature, fair and reasonable  Offer a solution Remember the key to a successful Editorial …

Workbook Activity  Send one person to get enough workbooks for your table  Open to page 101  We will snake read this article as a class

Workbook Activity  Your assignment: write an editorial of no more than 200 words on this subject  Before you start, let’s go through the writing process so you can be successful.

How to write? Understanding the Writing Process

Prewriting: Planning what to write Choose a topic. 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: Current and timely Substantive Offers insight Free of conflict of interest

Prewriting: Planning what to write Obtain background material and information about your topic. Observe, read, interview. Identify your purpose and audience – will it merely inform? Or do you want to interpret, criticize, suggest reforms, urge readers to action?  Explain or interpret the way the newspaper covered a sensitive or controversial subject  Criticize constructively actions, decisions or situations  Praise to commend people or organizations for a job well done  Persuade to get readers immediately see the solution and not the problem

Prewriting: Planning what to write Brainstorm Ideas  Finding ideas: free writing, clustering  Reading, journal writing Organize Information – briefly outline your facts logically before writing the piece.  Choosing details  Ordering details

Drafting: Writing the first draft Editorials usually have three parts: The beginning The body and The conclusion

The Beginning: Editorial Lead The editorial lead, like in the news story, is the showcase of the write-up. However, it is not considered the heart of the story unlike in the news. The heart could be in the middle or at the end, depending upon the whims and style of the editorial writer. Remember that it must contain enough “sparks” to urge the readers to read the whole article. A flat, dull and dragging lead will readily turn readers away. It does not have to follow the traditional five W’s and one H. The editorial writer has more freedom to display his creativity than the news writer in the writing of the lead.

The opening statement must be brief. It may consist only of the news on which the editorial is based, or the topic or problem to be taken up. It may be: A striking statement about the topic. A quotation Narration An order A question Poetic Prophecy Reaction  Note: The exact type of lead to use depends upon the nature and purpose of the editorial. Usually it is best to state briefly the situation that stimulates the editorial

The Body The body should include the editorial’s basic facts, the causes and effects behind incidents, situations, illustrations and arguments.

The Conclusion The last part drives home the final important thought or direction. This conclusion may be in the form of advice, challenge, command or just a simple summary.

Drafting: Writing the CONCLUSION If the editorial must have an impelling lead paragraph, it follows that it must also have a good ending - one that could clinch the “ballgame.” The writer must remember that the most powerful positions are the beginning and the end.

After writing the draft… Revise your work.  Add action and clarity to writing  Reread your draft carefully  Focus sentences through parallelism and translation  Rethink, reevaluate and rewrite  Use transitions  Move sentences  Add words and phrases

Brief, exact & concise 150 to 200 words See to it that every word used counts and serves its purpose

One-editorial, one-point rule Focus on a theme Always have one point to convey to the readers Several points confuse the readers

Be specific Use concrete facts and figures not general ideas, terms or statements Hazy and broad generalizations do not impress

When you have finished writing your editorial, check it with the following list of questions. If you can answer yes to all of them, you may be sure that you have an effective editorial. Your no answers will suggest points that need improvement.

Questions: Are the form and style appropriate for the content and the purpose? Does it have a purpose and accomplish that purpose? Does it make the reader think? Does it reflect the writer’s originality? Is the writing clear, vigorous, direct and simple? YesNo

Questions: Is the diction exact, not ambiguous? Does the editorial reflect clear, logical thinking? Does it give evidence of accurate knowledge? Does it sound sincere? Does the opening sentence employ the principles used in any good sales letter? YesNo

Questions: Are the paragraphs comparatively short? Is the editorial brief and pointed? Is the subject matter of significance to students (or readers)? Does the editorial make its point without preaching? YesNo

Reflection: Day 2  Table Talk: What are some editorial ideas for Spartan News?  Let’s brainstorm and select a topic!  Note: This will be a required assignment; however, you will get to decide whether or not you want your editorial published on Spartan News.  Content must be cleared by Mrs. C!