Editorial

 

Definition: "A short article expressing an opinion or point of view. Often, but not always, written by a member of the publication staff"

(from www.word-mart.com/html/glossary1.html) 

 

The major feature which distinguish an editorial from the rest of the newspaper is its permissability of one's opinions on a certain subject. 

 

Purpose:

• Provide an opinion on any certain topic
• Editorials can be used to spotlight one aspect of a story that has been overlooked.

 

  When writing an editorial:

 

What to write:

 

1. A relevant topic to current times: it need not be a major news story, but it should be something with broad appeal.
2. Use personal opinion: This should be done in a rational manner and a polite, formal tone, with cited sources as necessary. Rather than simply stating an opinion, use personal opinions as the readers' guide to interpreting the news story.
3. Use emotion in a limited fashion: 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.  Strong, reactive emotion will turn off readers, while a more personal and subdued tone will draw readers in.
4. Use persuasive language: A good editorial is written with clear, active language. Get straight to the point and express opinions explicitly.
5. Keep facts straight: 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 be 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. 
6. Be entertaining: 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.

 

(taken from http://www.howtodothings.com/hobbies/a4439-how-to-write-an-editorial.html) 

 

What not to write:

• the singular pronoun "I"
• falsehoods, suppostions or any exaggerations
• libel and defamation
• advocate anything illegal
• long paragraphs
• subheadings
• difficult, technical words
• grammatical knots, confused writing
• questions to finish
• forget to devise and include a headline
• ignore the obvious
• vague ambiguous references, the unattached "It"

 

Taken from

http://home.pacific.net.au/~greg.hub/editorial.html 

 

 

Structure 

• Introduction - state the problem
• Body - expresses an opinion
• Solution - offers a solution to the problem
• Conclusion - emphasizes the main issue

 

Taken from

http://wjpsnewspaper.blogspot.com/2008/02/structure-of-editorial-and-opinion.html 

 

Sample Editorial:

 

Feeling safe on Brisbane's streets

     Enough is enough. The public has a right to feel safe. The Queensland population these days is fed up with a legal system which all too often disregards the victim and lets the criminal off with just a slap on the wrist.

 

     After the horrific fatal stabbing of a police constable in Sydney last week, the need for knives and other such weapons to be outlawed has become increasingly apparent. The sooner the anti-knives amendments to the Weapons Act are passed through Parliament, the sooner the people of Queensland will feel safe.

 

     The outcry over this issue by women's self-defence groups and the Council for Civil Liberties has been enormous. Both movements are of the opinion that the proposed legislation is too optimistic and that it will be ineffectual. They believe that in addition to the fact that it will be widely ignored by criminals, it will also inconvenience law-abiding citizens.

 

     It makes you wonder why groups like these feel the need to carry a knife or any concealed weapon for that matter to feel safe. If a woman or indeed anybody wishes to feel safe walking along the street, there are plenty of safer and more suitable alternatives to carrying a knife. Why not keep a can of maize or pepper spray? Or how about a high decibel help whistle? Then there is of course the obvious self defence courses or martial arts. Any of these options are far better than a knife which can often simply worsen a situation.

 

     Another group of people affected by the legislation are property owners and rural Queenslanders. It is the opinion of this newspaper that it could be absolutely ludicrous to expect farmers to surrender their knives. The legislation should be carefully worded so as to exempt farmers or at the very least give them special consideration.

 

     The primary focus of the anti-knives amendments should be to combat the decreasing number of youth and gangs on the streets carrying weapons. Police officers patrolling the streets under the legislation should have the right to confiscate any knives from anybody if they see a reason for it.

 

     Tougher penalties are also another step in the right direction of feeling safe on our streets. The youth crime rate is escalating in Queensland because minors know that under the current law, they are virtually untouchable. Police are powerless to stop them. The sooner the proposed legislation is passed through the parliament, the better off the citizens of Queensland will be.

 

by Steve Dunn March 1998 

 

Taken from

http://home.pacific.net.au/~greg.hub/editorial.html

 

 

Why is this a good editorial:

 

• The author uses a resonable tone to assess an unreasonable aspect: provide an effective call for urgency 
• Clearly focuses on the headline topic "feeling safe on Brisbane's streets", with repetition to increase focus
• The use of short, structure paragraphs supports the presentation of arguments.
• Provides effective persuasions not useless descriptions; realistic solutions are provided as well
• Written with a steady rhythm and pace: keeps reader on track and strengthens the argument
• Good conclusion by reinforcing the main point
• Language is strong and emotive, but appropriate. The compact length make it an easy and clear read 

 

http://home.pacific.net.au/~greg.hub/editorial.html 

 

 

Letter to the Editor     

 

 

Defintion: A letter to the editor (sometimes abbreviated LTTE or LTE) is a letter sent to a publication about issues of concern to its readers. Usually, letters are intended for publication.

 

Taken from

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_to_the_editor

 

The major feature of a letter to the editor is its high level of persuasion and its short length. 

 

Purpose:

• Supporting or opposing an editorial stance, or responding to another writer's letter to the editor.
• Commenting on a current issue being debated by a governing body – local, regional or national depending on the publication's circulation. Often, the writer will urge elected officials to make their decision based on his/her viewpoint.
• Remarking on materials (such as a news story) that have appeared in a previous edition. Such letters may either be critical or praising.
• Correcting a perceived error or misrepresentation.

 

Taken from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_to_the_editor

 

Structure:

 

1. Introduction - a clear statement of your opinion, or a direct question which brings the issue of concern into clear focus, often referring to a previously published letter or news report.
2. Body - a brief statement of arguments and examples to support your opinion.
3. Conclusion - another clear statement or question to strongly reinforce your point of view.
4. Sign-off

 

Taken from

http://www.andrewseaton.com.au/geditor.htm

 

 

What to write in a letter to the editor:

 

• Short, concise letters under 150 words (long letters are more likely to be ignored)
• Write about a current issue. Be timely: respond to the issue in 2-3 days from its publication date
• Focus on one single topic
• Don't be abusive: editors will ignore letters containing personal attacks
• Use facts, figures and expert testimony whenever possible: readers tend to respect the opinions of people with special knowledge or expertise, and this will strengthen and broaden the arugment
• Semi-formal tone; however, don't be afraid to show emotions as appropriate
• Use full sentences and paragraphs, with both tending to be short
• Words that deal with cause and effect, and explanations are used, such as "problem", "solution", "I think", "certainly", "caused by", "if we"
• When published, a title will be inserted, generally written by the editor; authors of letters do not have to write a title
• The sign-off includes the author's name and his/her town/city 

 

Taken from

http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/activist/howlte.htm

and 

http://www.andrewseaton.com.au/geditor.htm

 

What not to include: 

• Long, meandering sentences and paragraphs
• Unclear statements and arguments
• Strong, reactive, impolite and malicious language
• Two or more topics in one letter
• Too much of a focus on personal opinion without supporting evidences
• Grammatical mistakes and confusing sentences; illogical structure
• Obscene, illegal and libel subjects or matters of poor taste

 

 

Sample letter:

 

     I was annoyed to read Charlie Oldperson's comments (Letters, 14 May) suggesting that school hours be extended by two hours each day and include Saturdays, so working parents would have less hassles and some spare time without the kids.

 

     It is hard to understand how any sensible person could think that the learning and development of young people would be improved by removing them for eighteen more hours each week from the 'real world' of their homes, neighbourhoods and communities.

 

     What annoyed me most was the exclusive focus on the benefits such a plan might have for adults! Surely the idea could only be seriously considered if it promised clear benefits to the young people it would most directly affect.

Would adults like to have someone make a new rule that they spend another eighteen hours each week at work?               

 

      Fortunately, I don't think most adults would share Charlie Oldperson's selfish and unrealist views.

Many people are already concerned that young people do not lead very active lives these days. Would another eighteen hours a week of school improve the situation?

 

Selina Youngperson 

Pretendtown

 

Why this is a good letter:

 

• Short and compact sentences/paragraphs
• Clear statements of opinion and arguments
• Use supportive evidence and reasoning to back-up arguments
• Acknowledgement of topic - includes date of publication: 14 May
• Polite, appropriate but strong and effective diction
• Written in a persuasive manner
• Round up with an open-ended question: appeal to public