1. What is an editorial?
An article that states the newspaper’s stance on a particular issue.
A persuasive essay that offers a solution to a problem.
Look at examples in Dallas Morning News.

2. Functions of Editorials
To Explain (commenting on the news)
To Persuade
To Answer (responding to criticism)
To constructively criticize
To entertain
To praise
To lead (leadership role, sentry function)

3. How to begin: Research! Interview people knowledgeable about the issue
Conduct Surveys
Online resources

4. Editorial Writing – The Basics
Editorials should be words long.
Keep paragraphs short.
Take a strong stance.
Don’t ever put direct quotes in an editorial.
Make a clear, logical argument. You are trying to persuade readers! Keep your emotions out of it.

5. The Outline of an Editorial
A brief history of the issue or statement of the background
1-2 sentences
Introduction
(Can be included in the introduction or be a separate paragraph)
Explain position of the editorial staff
Take a clear position
Reaction
Give arguments that support your position and elaborate
Body (x3)
Acknowledge views of other side, giving counter arguments
Rebuttal
Recommend solutions, alternatives and direction
Restate paper’s position
Conclusion

6. Sample Editorial Read the editorial and mark the following:
Label the introduction.
Label the reaction statement.
Highlight the topic sentence for each body paragraph.
Label the counter argument given.
Label the call to action in the conclusion.
Label the recap of the reaction in the conclusion.

7. Introduction
A brief statement of background/or a brief history of the issue including the news peg
Presents the problem or situation
Should be short!
1-2 sentences
Editorials should grab reader’s attention quickly – get right to the point
Example:
Starting in January, students who are tardy to class will go directly to the In-School Suspension room for that entire class period to write an essay about why they were tardy.

8. Reaction Can be the 2nd sentence of Introduction or the 2nd paragraph
Explains position of the editorial staff
Take a clear position and don’t waiver
You don’t want to be stuck in the middle
Example:
This policy is unfair and is in direct opposition to what school is about – learning.

9. The Body of the Editorial (Details)
Give 3 strong arguments
First give the argument and then support with evidence and examples (elaborate)
Acknowledge the views of the other side and make counter-arguments (Not to every point)
Example:
Missing an entire class because of a 30-second tardy in not beneficial for students. (Argument)

10. Elaboration
Example:
Missing an entire class because of a 30-second tardy is not beneficial for students. School is supposed to be about learning. Sitting in the ISS room writing an inane essay about why you are tardy is not learning. Plus the school could be hurt when students miss valuable class time and TAKS scores drop.

11. Conclusion – Part 1 Part 1 Recap: Restate the paper’s position
Don’t word exactly as you did in the reaction paragraph
Example:
The administration should consider alternative punishments for tardies, such as after-school detention and Saturday detention. The principal needs to change this new policy.

12. Conclusion Part 2 – Call to Action
Recommend solutions, alternatives and/or what direction the parties involved should take
Present a logical solution
Focus on the future action
Focus on a solution that students can participate in

13. Tips for Editorial Writing
NEVER USE First Person singular (I, me, my)
Use we sparingly – writing as a staff – better without
Write in active voice
Be concise
Don’t use stereotypes or make personal attacks

14. More Tips Give clear, logical arguments
Don’t turn into a preacher or get off-topic
Avoid clichés or trite phrases (“freedom is cherished by all Americans”)
No name-calling or generalizations
Don’t ask rhetorical questions. Give answers.
Always refute the opposition. Pick their strongest arguments and argue against it.
It’s okay to think outside the prompt
Use transition words in body paragraphs
Give specific examples

15. A bad example
Starting in January, students who are tardy to class will go directly to the In-School Suspension room for that entire class period and write an essay about why they are tardy. While this plan has drawbacks, it is not all bad. Students who are tardy are disruptive to the entire class. Plus, since many teachers have no consequences for tardy students, students have little incentive to be on time. But sometimes tardies can not be avoided. Sometimes the restroom lines are long or a locker gets jammed. Students should not be punished for some tardies.

16. Another bad example
Starting in January, students who are tardy to class will go directly to the In-School Suspension room for that entire class period and write an essay about why they are tardy. While this plan is not perfect, it is better than no policy at all. Students come to school to learn. To learn they need to be in class. Some classes are not always exciting, but that doesn’t change a student’s responsibility. For example, a student may not like physics, but he/she should still be on time. Students need to do a better job when choosing their class schedule. Then, they will pick classes they enjoy rather than ones they dread going to every day.

17. One more example
Starting at the dawn of the new year, young scholars who are not punctual to their learning environment will henceforth shuffle promptly to the In-School Suspension location for the entirety of such class period and compose a literary prose on why this individual did not arrive at his/her destination in the allotted time. This plan is atrocious. It will affect a plethora of young scholars in a detrimental manner.

18. Length Between 350 – 500 words 7-8 paragraphs Short paragraphs
Be concise!

19. Practice
Write an editorial from the prompt

20. Examples
Nie.dallasnews.com
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