1. Editorial Writing

2. 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?

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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)

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

13. 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)?

14. 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”

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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…

18. 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

19. 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.