Related Articles. Article Summary. Author Info Last Updated: June 3, Method 1. Pick your topic and angle. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. Your topic should be current, interesting, and have a purpose. There are generally four types of editorials: [2] X Research source Explaining or interpreting : This format is used to explain how and why a newspaper or magazine took a certain stance on a controversial subject.
Criticizing : This format criticizes actions or decisions made on a third party's part in addition to offering a better solution. It's more to get the readers to see that there is a larger problem at hand. Persuading : This type is used to move the reader to action, concentrating on solutions, not the problem. Praising : This format is used to show support for people and organizations in the community that have done something notable.
Get your facts straight. An editorial is a mix of fact and opinion; not solely the writer's opinion, but the opinion of the entire staff. Your fact collection should include objective reporting and research. A good op-ed needs to contain at least one "point of enlightenment" which can be described as "an observation that is fresh and original. Keep it user-friendly. Typically, editorials are for a fairly quick, captivating read.
They are not meant to go on for pages and pages, belaboring the point. Nor are they meant to make the average Joe feel as if he's missed something. Make sure your editorial isn't lengthy or overly esoteric.
Keep it to about words. Anything longer and you risk losing your reader. A short, snappy, fiery piece is much more captivating than a wordy lecture.
Eliminate the jargon. Your audience is reading your article for information on something they seek to understand; using technical terms or specific jargon may be off-putting and make your article difficult to take in. Keep the lowest common denominator in mind. Method 2. Start your editorial with a thesis-like statement.
The introduction--the first one or two paragraphs--should be designed to catch the reader's attention. You can start with a rich question, a quote, or you can summarize what the whole editorial is about. Clearly state your argument. The rest of your editorial will be based on supporting this opinion. Make it as striking as possible. However, in doing so, never use "I"--it diminishes the strength and credibility of the paper and sounds rather informal.
National Institutes of Health Go to source. Lead with an objective, unbiased explanation of the issue. The body of your work should explain the issue objectively, as a reporter would, and tell why this situation is important to the reader or community as a whole. Cover all your bases and pull in facts or quotations from relevant sources. This ensures that every reader has at least a base knowledge and an non-skewed one of the topic at hand.
Present the opposing argument first. Make sure to identify the groups who oppose you or else the movers of the debate will become foggy. State their opinions objectively, using accurate facts or quotations. Never use slander. It is fine to state positive things about the opposing side, as long as they're factual. It shows that you are taking the moral high road and giving a balanced overview.
If you neglect to air the good side of your opposition, your editorial will come off biased and uninformed. Give the opposition an actual argument, and a strong one at that. You gain nothing from refuting a non-issue. Make it clear their beliefs and what they're advocating. Begin this section with a transition, clearly flowing from their argument to yours.
Utilize facts and quotations from others who support your opinion. Start with strong reasons that only get stronger. Don't feel limited to existing opinions--add your own, too. Whatever your reasons are, make sure to clearly come down on one side of the argument; there is no room for gray area here.
Literary allusions are appropriate. It can lend to your credibility and learnedness. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Concede a point of the opposition — they must have some good points you can acknowledge that would make you look rational.
Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader's minds. Give a realistic solution s to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Whether their readers agree or disagree with the dress code, an editorial about a specific controversial topic will inspire others to engage in the issue.
Even though an editorial is opinion-based, it is still important to provide your readers with well-researched evidence to back up your ideas.
You can convince your readers of your credibility by demonstrating knowledge of what other prominent voices have to say on the topic. Researching your topic can also help you decide which particular stance you will take and create an article that contributes new ideas to the conversation. After selecting and researching an issue, write an outline to keep your ideas organized and ensure that the main points of your editorial flow well.
The introduction will always be at the beginning of the essay and the conclusion at the end, but you can organize your body paragraphs based on what format fits your essay the best. List each main idea as its own paragraph, making sure to provide evidence for each idea. Once you finish the planning portion of writing your editorial, start to write by adding details to your outline.
Some people prefer to start with the introduction, while others focus on the body of the paper first and write the introduction at the end. Try to write down as many ideas as you can at first, then go back and edit your paper. Getting started on a paper can be the most challenging part of the process for many writers. If you find yourself having trouble beginning to write, look back on your research for inspiration.
Related: Top 10 Study Skills and Techniques. Before submitting your editorial, proofread your own work to make sure you have created a professional, quality piece of writing. Many writers read their work aloud to check for tone and flow. Another popular proofreading technique is to read your paper backward, starting with the last sentence and moving to the introduction.
This process helps catch spelling and grammatical errors that you might not have seen the first time. You might also consider having a trusted friend or colleague read and summarize the main ideas of your paper for clarity. A good editorial can focus on any topic, as long as you can make a strong case for your opinion and write with your audience in mind.
Focus on why a reader should care about your issue, as well as why someone might have a different opinion. Understanding both sides of an issue will make your editorial interesting to a wide variety of audiences. Use these tips to make your editorial as convincing and relevant as possible:.
Your editorial needs to take a firm position on your chosen topic. Any time you mention an opposing view, immediately explain why it is incorrect and why readers should agree with you instead. Convince readers to consider your ideas by displaying confidence in your stance.
During the research process, see if there are any aspects to your issue that others have not yet discussed. While anyone can have an opinion, adding something new to a discussion will show that you have put careful thought into your piece.
If you draw attention to an issue in an editorial, provide possible solutions to the problem. You want to avoid simply complaining so that the audience can find value in your work and consider taking action themselves. Whenever possible, choose a topic that you are passionate about.
Your writing will reflect that you actually care about the issue, making your paper more interesting to read and more relevant to readers. Find jobs.
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