In Campus Journalism: Editorial Writing

Editorial write-ups express facts and opinions in concise, logical, pleasing order for the sake of entertaining or influencing opinion, or of interpreting significant news on public issues or policies in such a way that its importance to the average reader is made clear. They are usually written in an elegant but understandable language.

Expressive of the paper’s stand on vital issues, the editorial is a personal commentary written by any member of the editorial staff who comments on issues relevant to the public. It’s a critical interpretation of significant, usually contemporary events so that the readers will be informed, influenced, or entertained. It’s the voice of the paper, not of an individual editor. Moreover, it tries to express the people’s conscience, cause, and convictions in relation to prevalent issues and events.

Types of Editorial

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• Editorial of Entertainment aims to entertain. Short and amusing, it espouses humor to suggest the truth.
• Editorial of Information seeks to give the facts unknown to the readers, with minimum explanation.
• Mood Editorial written by two or more editors from different newspapers which they publish simultaneously in their respective papers.
• Pooled Editorial written by two or more editors from different newspapers which they publish simultaneously in their respective papers.
• Editorial of Interpretation explains the meaning of a news event, current idea, theory, or conditions.
• Editorial of Commendation, Appreciation, or Tributecommends a person or organization for worthwhile deeds accomplishments.
• Editorial of Criticism points out both the good and bad features of events or situations to influence the reader and to suggest a solution.
• Editorial of Argumentation or Persuasion argues in order to convince or persuade some people.

Characteristics of Editorial

1. Forceful
2. Brief
3. Interesting
4. Clear
5. Purposive
6. Soundly Argumentative
7. Influential
8. Logical
9. Unified
10. Direct
11. Factual

Points to Observe in Writing the Editorial

• Don’t sound too moralistic
• Observe brevity in your sentences and paragraphs
• Use impelling leads that could win the reader’s interest
• Keep the editorial short
• Use “we” instead of “I”
• Develop only one specific idea phrased in one sentence
• Relate the editorial to the readers’ lives
• Don’t dwell on generalities
• Write in simple, clear, direct and forceful manner
• Accomplish your purpose
• Organize all data into well-reasoned arguments
• Direct the editorial towards a consensus
• Make the form and style agree with its content and purpose
• Ensure its relevance to students, school, community and the country

Writing the Editorial

• The Introduction – usually a short paragraph containing the newspeg with the reaction.

     Example:

   For our students to come out second in the NSAT 
region-wide is a source of great pride and inspiration 
for our school.

Editorial Beginnings:
   
  A quotation relevant to the subject under discussion
  A narrative illustrating the situation
  A striking statement that grabs attention
  A question that opens the rooms for discussion
  A simple statement

• The Body – may take two or three paragraphs that support, justify, or elaborate the reaction or stand made in the introduction.

• The Ending – last paragraph otherwise known as punch line or clincher. It summarizes the editorial’s stand.