1. Information + Opinion=
Editorials

2. Types of editorials:
Explain: detail what happened (like a news article) but with some opinion added
Evaluate: judge what happened
Persuade: convince readers to think how you do
Call for action: convince readers to do something proactive
Provoke discussion: encourage people to debate the issue

3. Choosing a topic What is important to readers? What is current?
What is possible? (can you interview the proper sources involved?)

4. First step: RESEARCH Do not share ignorance
Before you can make a logical opinion, you must know the facts
Use primary sources (statistics from online reliable sources, books, school documents, etc.)
Interview people who are involved

5. Structure of the article
Lead: the first sentence of the article; stands alone as its own paragraph
Because this isn’t a news article, you may not want to start with the 5Ws and 1H.
Possible alternate leads:
Anecdote: short story that makes a point
Shocking statistic or fact
Description: make the reader visualize what is happening

6. Structure of the article
Thesis statement/position statement:
One sentence statement that shows your position.
Do not say “I believe…” In fact, don’t talk about yourself at all in the article!
This usually appears in the 2nd paragraph of the article (remember your lead is the only thing that appears in the 1st paragraph)

7. Structure of the article
Concession: acknowledges the other side’s strongest argument and refutes it
Ex. “Certainly, an open campus lunch policy can be dangerous for some students. However…”
Make this other side’s point quickly and then move on to your position with supporting details

8. Structure of the article
Supporting details: facts to defend your position
Write using short paragraphs with 1-2 supporting details in each paragraph for increased readability
Place supporting details in order from weakest to strongest. You want your reader to remember your best point!

9. Structure of the article
Conclusion: the way to wrap up your article
Suggest a course of action. Don’t just complain about something! There has to be a purpose for your writing
Remind your reader of your lead in some way

10. Final notes Good editorials usually run 250-500 words in length.
Make your argument clear.
Defend it with facts.
Brevity is powerful!