Name: ____________________________
Date: ________
Editorial Writing Notes
Definition of editorials: an article written by an editor that gives an opinion on a topical issue.
Editorials are a type of persuasive argument writing. The editorial’s purpose is to make the reader
think or act a certain way. The writer of an editorial must research and be familiar with both sides.
Sometimes newspapers include editorials on the opposite side of the “official” editorial page written by
a guest editorialist and are called op-ed (opposite editorial). The op-ed section sometimes contains
other items like letters from readers, book reviews, or other opinion pieces.
Newspapers and the press are an important part of a democracy. They provide a place for people to
express an opinion, especially in editorials and letters to the editor. It is only through the free-exchange
of ideas and arguing that we exercise and protect our freedoms.
Four general Types of Editorials are: Praise/Appreciation, Criticism, Explain, and Persuade.
Editorials can criticize and offer solutions, they can praise, or they can call a reader to action.
Guidelines for Writing
 Do not use the pronoun “I.” Keep it third
person even if you are expressing an
opinion.
 Be brief and to the point. Choose and
include the best support.
 Do not use a preaching or scolding tone.
Keep your tone neutral or positive.
Remember your audience – they won’t
respond to being attacked.
Anyone who ignores the evidence that
smoking causes lung cancer is just plain crazy!
instead
Medical evidence that smoking increases the
chance of lung cancer is overwhelming.
 Avoid generalizations – generalizations are
an exaggeration to make your point
stronger. Use support (evidence) instead to
reinforce your opinion. Avoid words like
(all, everybody, never, always).
 Use support techniques that appeal to the
intellect.
Editorial Organization
Choose an appropriate text structure:
- cause effect,
- problem-solution,
- comparison & contrast,
- main idea with supporting detail
Written like an essay, with an introduction and
a thesis stating a claim.
In the body paragraphs are the reasons for
claim; the support (facts, statistics, examples,
quotes, etc.)
Address the other side – the opposing view.
Provide a response to opposing view using
evidence (fact, examples, etc.). Break down
opposing reasons if possible. Explain why your
way of thinking is correct.
Close with a summary of the issue and
restatement of opinion. Make a suggestion for
specific action.
Note: Editorials of praise are usually shorter than other kinds of editorials. In the introductory paragraph, the
writer states who is being recognized and why. The next paragraph(s) mention specific examples of why
this topic is worthy of praise. In the closing, the writer states how the community or the world has
benefited from these actions.
Support Techniques Using Intellect
Support Techniques Using Emotion (Propaganda)

Facts


Fact - information that can be proven and is
objective
Statistics - statistics are number facts.
Card-Stacking- Writers and speakers distort or omit
facts and tell half-truths. They stress the positive and
ignore the negative which only gives us part of the
picture.
(These are not lies or half-truths, but sometimes can
be manipulated.)
Examples

Examples- This technique shows you examples
of how it has worked and who it has worked for.
Expert Opinion – Quotations

Plain Folks- The users of the product are simple, downto-earth people like us.

Transfer- Words and ideas with positive connotations are
used to suggest that the positive qualities should be
associated with the product and the user.

Glittering Generalities-Using appealing words and images
in order to sell the product. The message is general and
indirect, but you come away thinking that it will change
your life by making you look younger or giving you
status. These claims are not supported by facts.

Testimonial- Seeking support for an idea or product by
having it endorsed by a famous person (singer, sports
figure, movie star, etc.) or a regular person if “plain folks”
is used.

Transfer- Associating a respected person or idea with
whatever is being promoted, such as picturing a wellknown athlete in a breakfast cereal ad.
Expert Opinion- An expert on the topic or in
the field’s opinion is sought.
More Emotional Appeals
Logic


Logic- This technique appeals to the logical
side of people. Asks them to think about the
truth of the matter and what might actually
work or be useful.

Band Wagon- Everybody’s in favor of it; join the crowd.

Name-Calling- Stereotyping ideas or people with a bad
label.

Snob Appeal- Only the richest, most important, or the
most elite group of people use this product or service.

Avante Garde- This makes the suggestion that using this
product puts you ahead of the times.

Patriotism- This technique suggests that purchasing this
product shows your love of your country. (also suggests
that if you don’t purchase it, you must not love your
country enough)|

Bribery- Suggests a desirable extra something with your
purchase. Remember, we humans tend to be quite
greedy.

Wit and Humor-Customers are attracted to products that
divert the audience with something entertaining by using
clever visuals and language. The product is secondary.
Samples:
Guidelines
Editorial of Criticism
Writing
What is the
problem? What is
the suggested
solution?
A tragedy of immense proportions is taking shape in the
Amazon, where controlled cutting and burning is destroying
the rain forest at an alarming rate. If clearing continues at the
present rate, the entire forest, presently one-third of the forest
remaining in the world, could be gone. It is an international
crisis that demands a coordinated international response.
What type of
lead was used?
What reason and
details support the
claim?
Where could the
author add more?
What reason or
reasons and details
support the claim?
Where could the
author add more?
What is the other
side of the
controversy?
What would you
say to counter
these arguments
and support your
own view?
How did the author
restate the
opinion?
What action or
change in thought
is suggested?
No one can foresee with total accuracy the effect of losing
the last great forest, but many scientists predict that the loss
will cause change in the world’s climate. Without the great
mass of trees and vegetation returning moisture to the earth’s
atmosphere, a global warming trend may occur. In some areas
where the forest was cleared five years ago, the land has
turned into a desert that sustains no life. Where the tropical
topsoil is without trees, it erodes quickly.
Much of the Amazon remains unexplored; it contains
thousands of plant and animal species unknown elsewhere on
the planet. Researchers fear that species will be destroyed
without having been discovered. Rubber and latex are modern
conveniences discovered in the Amazon, as well as several
medicinal drugs. The native population has already been
largely destroyed by white contact. Only about 200,000 Indians
remain; four million existed only 50 years ago.
The Brazilian government, understandably, resents
interference in its internal affairs and points out that European
and North Americans ruined their own wilderness areas and
native populations. Furthermore, Brazil has desperately
overpopulated areas, and its leaders wish to open up new land.
They also need the rich mineral resources the jungle hides to
improve their economic situation.
The uncontrolled destruction occurring now must be halted. It
is essential that other nations, many of whom are exploiting
the resources themselves, join together to offer to aid Brazil
and its neighbors and insist on a moratorium on cutting and
burning until a safer plan can be tested and adopted.
Secondary School Journalism 71
What type of
text structure
is being used?
Does it work?
What
transitions did
they use?
Do they need
more?
What is the
tone of this
article? Does it
appeal to the
audience?
Guidelines
Editorial of Praise
Writing
Who is being
recognized? Why?
Two giants of the acting world—Yul Brynner and Orson
Welles—have died within a day of each other. Their
deaths are worth special notice because these two greats
represented an era of excellence and depth in the movie
world that is hard to find today.
What type of
lead was
used?
What reason and
details support the
praise?
For most of us, Mr. Bryner was and always will be the
King of Siam, alternating willfulness with vision in the play
and movie, The King and I. Known for his bald pate (bald
head) and dramatic acting style, he portrayed everyone
from Pharoh’s jealous, scheming son in the Ten
Commandments to the wise, tough gunslinger in the
Magnificent Seven.
Where could the
author add more?
What reason or
reasons and details As for Mr. Welles, his name is synonymous with one of
support the praise? the all-time classics—Citizen Cane—based on the life of
William Randolph Hearst. But the wonderful thing about
Where could the
Mr. Welles is that he will go down through history as the
author add more?
perpetrator of perhaps the greatest case of mass hysteria
ever to hit this country. America panicked in 1938 when
Mr. Welles’ Mercury Theater of the Air presented a radio
adaptation of War of the Worlds by H.G. Welles. More
than a few people who listened to that broadcast became
convinced that Martians had invaded the U.S.
How did the
world/public
benefit?
In these days of movies and films that glorify blood and
guts, it’s good to reflect on a time when true artists didn’t
need special effects, sleaze or gross violence to enthrall
moviegoers. Mr. Brynner and Mr. Welles reflect back to
that better, more thoughtful time.
What type
of text
structure is
being used?
Does it
work?
What
transitions
did they
use?
Do they
need more?
What is the
tone of this
article? Does
it appeal to
the
audience?
Secondary School Journalism Page 72