What is an editorial? Where have you seen examples of editorials before? What are some qualities of a well-written editorial? Please respond to the following questions in a complete paragraph.

OBJECTIVES: Explain the importance of editorials in contributing to community conversation; Write editorials that explain, evaluate or persuade

“The editorial page of the paper should begin where the rest of the paper leaves off.” Vermont C. Royster Pulitzer Prize winning editorial writer

An editorial is an article that states the newspaper’s ideas on an issue. These ideas are presented as opinion.

Editorials appear on the newspaper’s editorial page, a page which includes editorials, columns, opinion articles, reviews and cartoons. If the paper contains more than one opinion page, the others are called op-ed pages.

The newspaper is the voice of the community. The editorials are the voice of the newspaper. This voice can inform readers, stimulate thinking, mold opinion and occasionally move people to action.

Writing an editorial To be worthy of print space, the editorial needs to tell the reader something that would not be discussed in a straight news story. However, the editorial must be researched carefully and just as thoroughly as a news story. The newspaper’s reputation is based on the accuracy of the supporting material found in an editorial.

Different newspapers will have different ideas about how to organize an editorial, although most will follow the four previous steps. Here is one standard method of writing an editorial: State the problem or situation. State your position. Give evidence to support your position. State and refute the position of the other side in the conclusion. Offer two possible solutions to the problem.

I. Lead with an Objective Explanation of the Issue/Controversy. Include the five W's and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are looking to cut funding from public television. Hearings were held …) Pull in facts and quotations from the sources which are relevant. Additional research may be necessary

II. Present Your Opposition First. As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you. (Republicans feel that these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick them; only the rich watch public television.) Use facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions. Give a strong position of the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting a weak position.

III. Directly Refute The Opposition's Beliefs. You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a "sandbox for the rich." However, statistics show most people who watch public television make less than $40,000 per year.) Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support your position. Concede a valid point of the opposition which will make you appear rational, one who has considered all the options (fiscal times are tough, and we can cut some of the funding for the arts; however, …).

IV. Conclude With Some Punch. Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should look to where real wastes exist — perhaps in defense and entitlements — to find ways to save money. Digging into public television's pocket hurts us all.) A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected source A rhetorical question can be an effective concluder as well (If the government doesn't defend the interests of children, who will?)

Editorials that Explain Editorials that explain are somewhat like expository essays. They attempt to interpret or inform rather than to argue a point of view. The only expression of opinion comes in the interpretation of the facts.

These editorials explain topics such as the elimination of a sports program, a change in the grading system or in the type of scheduling, or perhaps the sudden departure of an administrator or faculty member. They are most effective when they explain what has taken place, give a detailed description of the causes, and highlight the importance of the topic.

Editorials that Evaluate Editorials that evaluate focus on actions or situations that the editors view as being wrong or in need of improvement—or that are praiseworthy. If the editorial criticizes, it should always be constructive. Emphasize the positive about what you are criticizing, or your readers will not trust you. If you criticize, you have an obligation to offer an alternative solution or course of action. If the editorial praises, there should be specific reasons for doing so. Perhaps an organization or individual has gone above and beyond the call of duty and the staff feels there should be some recognition.

Editorials that Persuade Generally, editorials that persuade offer specific solutions to a perceived problem. They expect immediate action rather than the understanding of a situation. A persuasive editorial can provide leadership in bringing about changes in school policy or in student behavior. If a school is in the middle of a controversy, editorials that persuade offer the opportunity to suggest a compromise.

It is a healthy sign for the newspaper when readers submit letters. That shows they are actually reading the paper and are using the op-ed pages as they should be used— as a public forum. If some controversy is stirred because of what appears in the paper, that, too, is a healthy sign. That shows that the newspaper is causing readers to think and to get involved. Letters to the Editor