If you are writing an editorial for a class or work assignment, refer back to the prompt frequently during the planning process. An editorial with specific classroom guidelines will likely be very different than an opinion piece published in a magazine or newspaper.
Regardless of why you are writing your editorial, you can use these steps to create a strong foundation for a successful editorial paper:. Since editorials are based on opinion, your topic should be arguable and have multiple points of view.
Your essay will reflect your personal bias or the bias of the group you are representing, so you should expect some of your readers to disagree with your stance. You might select a controversial topic that involves politics to provoke conversation about your writing.
Regardless of the topic you choose, make sure that you can write about it passionately and focus on why others should agree with your perspective. As you decide what to write about, keep in mind that your topic should be specific. Keeping the scope of your editorial on a certain aspect of an issue will keep your argument strong and help the reader stay focused.
A well-written editorial devotes multiple paragraphs to supporting one specific idea. For example: A writer for a school newspaper might choose to write an editorial on the new school dress code. Instead of trying to criticize everything they don't like about school, a writer can create a call-to-action by focusing on this one topical issue. 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. 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. Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction. All in all, your audience should leave feeling more informed and moved to do something further about the issue. Proofread your work. A great piece is not great if it's riddled with spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Have someone on your team look over your work- two minds are always better than one.
If you're working as part of an organization, make sure you haven't misrepresented their viewpoints. Allow your group to go over the piece to make sure everyone at the very least, the majority is behind the arguments you're about to make public.
They can, simultaneously, present questions or ideas that you may have missed or glossed over. Sample Editorial Sample Op Ed.
Did you know you can get answers researched by wikiHow Staff? Unlock staff-researched answers by supporting wikiHow. Not Helpful 9 Helpful Just stick to your facts and expound them; try and take what you do have into a unique direction.
Never jot down something which you aren't very sure of. Not Helpful 14 Helpful You could use the royal "we" or just we if you're writing on behalf of a team. Or, you could refer to "this paper", "this book", "this edition", etc. Not Helpful 6 Helpful No, I think not. You might write opinions for up to five topics or so. If you have a lot of opinions, pick the most important ones. Not Helpful 16 Helpful No you do not, but you can if you want.
Editorials are about feelings, and if you feel you need an image to convey yours, do it. Not Helpful 11 Helpful You can research through credible online websites, books, or interviews with someone well qualified in that particular area such as an Economist who has his Doctorate and works at Yale University for information on fiscal policy.
Not Helpful 19 Helpful Try doing more in-depth research. See if you can find experts on the topic and arrange for interviews. If you don't have much time, just form your argument as best you can or, if possible, choose a different topic that you are more knowledgeable about.
Not Helpful 18 Helpful Am I supposed to base the opinions from my point of view or from someone else's point of view? You should incorporate other people's views, along with your own.
Basically speaking as one voice. Not Helpful 17 Helpful Rowen Goodpaster. It depends on the newspaper. Usually though, yes, only one. Check your local newspaper to see how many it is in your case. No, "I" and "myself" are only used in columns. When writing an editorial, you should instead use "we". Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Do not use repetitive speech. Your points will sound incredibly similar and lose the interest of the reader.
Keep it as fresh and vivid as possible. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Select an alluring title. Many readers will judge whether or not an article looks interesting on those few words alone. It should be short yet poignant. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Never use "I" or "me"; this is not your opinion only. Helpful 82 Not Helpful 8. Do not state any vulgar words or use slander.
Libel is a serious offence. Helpful 16 Not Helpful 0. Do not pinpoint or blame specific names. Target a group or belief as your opposition. Helpful 70 Not Helpful 9.
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