Editorial sections from newspapers around the world
Continue writing your editorial today. You should post any interview questions on your blog before class tomorrow. You will post the rough draft to your blog before Friday's class. We will do peer edits on Friday.
CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING
An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.
Editorials have:
1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories
2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's opinion. Give it some punch.
Four Types of Editorials Will:
1. Explain or interpret: Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules or a particular student-body effort like a food drive.
2. Criticize: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while providing solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers to see the problem, not the solution.
3. Persuade: Editorials of persuasion aim to immediately see the solution, not the problem. From the first paragraph, readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive action. Political endorsements are good examples of editorials of persuasion.
4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not as common as the other three.
Writing an Editorial
1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers.
2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research
3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement
4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is important
5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts
6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures, quotations. Pick apart the other side's logic.
7. Concede a point of the opposition — they must have some good points you can acknowledge that would make you look rational.
8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader's minds.
9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction.
10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis statement).
11. Make every work count; never use "I"
A Sample Structure
I. Lead with an Objective Explanation of the Issue/Controversy.
Include the five W's and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are looking to cut funding from public television. Hearings were held …)
Pull in facts and quotations from the sources which are relevant.
Additional research may be necessary.
II. Present Your Opposition First.
As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you. (Republicans feel that these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick them; only the rich watch public television.)
Use facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions.
Give a strong position of the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting a weak position.
III. Directly Refute The Opposition's Beliefs.
You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a "sandbox for the rich." However, statistics show most people who watch public television make less than $40,000 per year.)
Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support your position.
Concede a valid point of the opposition which will make you appear rational, one who has considered all the options (fiscal times are tough, and we can cut some of the funding for the arts; however, …).
IV. Give Other, Original Reasons/Analogies
In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest order. (Taking money away from public television is robbing children of their education …)
Use a literary or cultural allusion that lends to your credibility and perceived intelligence (We should render unto Caesar that which belongs to him …)
V. Conclude With Some Punch.
Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should look to where real wastes exist — perhaps in defense and entitlements — to find ways to save money. Digging into public television's pocket hurts us all.)
A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected source
A rhetorical question can be an effective concluder as well (If the government doesn't defend the interests of children, who will?)
Monday, May 9, 2011
5-9-11 Editorial/Opinion
New York Times Editorials
Star Tribune Editorials
Editorial Cartoons
An editorial is a way for a reporter to get her own personal opinion into a story, rather than the objective approach used with other newspaper stories. Most newspapers run editorials on a regular schedule, whether daily or two to three times per week. These are normally written by the staff reporters, though community leaders or experts in certain fields are occasionally invited to craft an editorial. If you are called on to write an editorial, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Keep the topic relevant. The topic of an editorial should normally be about a current news story or event. This doesn't have to be a major story or event, but it should be something with a broad appeal to the readership. If you want to write an editorial about something that happened in the past, wait for an anniversary of the event to tie it to the present day.
2. Use personal opinion. The main difference between an editorial and a news story is that there is room to try to persuade readers with your personal opinion. This should be done in a rational manner, as with a standard news story, and with attributed sources if needed. It is not enough to state your opinion on a news story, but rather to use your opinion to guide interpretation of the story.
3. Feel free to use emotion, but in a limited manner. An editorial written out of anger or another strong emotion is not going to hold the persuasive power of one written with a limited range of emotion. I once wrote an editorial about greed and how it was driving government officials in ways that I didn't approve of. By simply expressing distaste and disappointment, the editorial had more impact than if I had written an angry missive about how much I hated the local government. Strong, reactive emotion will turn off readers, while a more personal and subdued emotional theme will draw readers in.Use persuasive language. Using clear, active language is far more persuasive than a weak narrative that rambles. Get to the point. For more information about crafting persuasive arguments, see How to Write a Persuasive Essay.
4. Get your facts straight. While there is a limited protection afforded by opinion pieces, there is still a chance of your piece being construed as libel. If you are discussing people or businesses in your editorial, be sure that all facts are correct and are attributed. If you are writing negative opinions about people or businesses, be sure to begin by stating that it is your opinion. Opinions can be neither proved nor disproved, and will not be construed as libel unless there is an obvious component of malice to them. For this reason, never name call.
5. Try to be entertaining. Keeping all of the above steps of clarity, relevance and fact-checking in mind, there is still room to write in an entertaining manner. Readers usually expect to get more out of an editorial than simple facts, so don't disappoint. You can use humor to illustrate your points if appropriate.
You should answer these questions on your blog before you come to class tomorrow.
Note: Pointing out what’s wrong is easier than contributing to a problem’s solution –and a good editorial’s concern should be to better a situation, not bludgeon it. Remember, also, no matter what your purpose or topic, an editorial is no place to indulge in personal attacks. Be smart! Don’t whine or gripe – use your energy to convince!
1. What is a problem/issue that our entire student body (our school, community, country, etc.) faces today?
2. What is your view/position on the problem or situation?
3. What would you like to achieve with your editorial? (What is the desired result?)
4. How will you persuade your audience to adopt your viewpoint as theirs? List at least 4 persuasive points.
5. How will you motivate your readership to action in your conclusion?
6. How will your editorial serve a public purpose?
YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
Choose a topic that interprets news or an issue from your student perspective(remember: this is YOUR opinion!)
1. This should be between 350-500 words long.
2. It should express an opinion about your topic in an intelligent way.
3. It should be spelling and error-free
4. It should be developed like an editorial
5. Use the examples we read in class as a model
MON - Prewriting
TUES - Prewriting Due, Data Collection/Interviews
WED - Interview questions due, writing time
THURS - Interview answers due, writing time
FRI - Peer Edits, Revisions, Final Assignment Due Monday
MON - Final Assignment posted before beginning of hour
Star Tribune Editorials
Editorial Cartoons
An editorial is a way for a reporter to get her own personal opinion into a story, rather than the objective approach used with other newspaper stories. Most newspapers run editorials on a regular schedule, whether daily or two to three times per week. These are normally written by the staff reporters, though community leaders or experts in certain fields are occasionally invited to craft an editorial. If you are called on to write an editorial, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Keep the topic relevant. The topic of an editorial should normally be about a current news story or event. This doesn't have to be a major story or event, but it should be something with a broad appeal to the readership. If you want to write an editorial about something that happened in the past, wait for an anniversary of the event to tie it to the present day.
2. Use personal opinion. The main difference between an editorial and a news story is that there is room to try to persuade readers with your personal opinion. This should be done in a rational manner, as with a standard news story, and with attributed sources if needed. It is not enough to state your opinion on a news story, but rather to use your opinion to guide interpretation of the story.
3. Feel free to use emotion, but in a limited manner. An editorial written out of anger or another strong emotion is not going to hold the persuasive power of one written with a limited range of emotion. I once wrote an editorial about greed and how it was driving government officials in ways that I didn't approve of. By simply expressing distaste and disappointment, the editorial had more impact than if I had written an angry missive about how much I hated the local government. Strong, reactive emotion will turn off readers, while a more personal and subdued emotional theme will draw readers in.Use persuasive language. Using clear, active language is far more persuasive than a weak narrative that rambles. Get to the point. For more information about crafting persuasive arguments, see How to Write a Persuasive Essay.
4. Get your facts straight. While there is a limited protection afforded by opinion pieces, there is still a chance of your piece being construed as libel. If you are discussing people or businesses in your editorial, be sure that all facts are correct and are attributed. If you are writing negative opinions about people or businesses, be sure to begin by stating that it is your opinion. Opinions can be neither proved nor disproved, and will not be construed as libel unless there is an obvious component of malice to them. For this reason, never name call.
5. Try to be entertaining. Keeping all of the above steps of clarity, relevance and fact-checking in mind, there is still room to write in an entertaining manner. Readers usually expect to get more out of an editorial than simple facts, so don't disappoint. You can use humor to illustrate your points if appropriate.
You should answer these questions on your blog before you come to class tomorrow.
Note: Pointing out what’s wrong is easier than contributing to a problem’s solution –and a good editorial’s concern should be to better a situation, not bludgeon it. Remember, also, no matter what your purpose or topic, an editorial is no place to indulge in personal attacks. Be smart! Don’t whine or gripe – use your energy to convince!
1. What is a problem/issue that our entire student body (our school, community, country, etc.) faces today?
2. What is your view/position on the problem or situation?
3. What would you like to achieve with your editorial? (What is the desired result?)
4. How will you persuade your audience to adopt your viewpoint as theirs? List at least 4 persuasive points.
5. How will you motivate your readership to action in your conclusion?
6. How will your editorial serve a public purpose?
YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
Choose a topic that interprets news or an issue from your student perspective(remember: this is YOUR opinion!)
1. This should be between 350-500 words long.
2. It should express an opinion about your topic in an intelligent way.
3. It should be spelling and error-free
4. It should be developed like an editorial
5. Use the examples we read in class as a model
MON - Prewriting
TUES - Prewriting Due, Data Collection/Interviews
WED - Interview questions due, writing time
THURS - Interview answers due, writing time
FRI - Peer Edits, Revisions, Final Assignment Due Monday
MON - Final Assignment posted before beginning of hour
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