Journal Prompt

1. Journal Prompt Choose 1 and respond: It bugs me when…. I felt discriminated against when… Something I feel I need to take a stand about is…

2. Editorials are a mix between fact and opinion • About current issues • Written to influence readers-often include suggestions on how to solve or correct a perceived problem. • An editorial is the official view of the paper and therefore must be well thought out What are editorials?

3. Editorials are usually not signed or by-lined. • As you read an editorial you may notice that the writer is giving his or her opinion without making an “I” statement such as, I think or I believe. • The writer’s opinion is blended into statements that sometimes read like facts. Remember, the purpose of the editorial is to persuade you to support the writer’s view on the topic. More about Editorials

4. Editorials have a variety of functions: • Explain • Persuade • Answer criticism/question • Express a warning/caution • Entertain • Praise Function of Editorials

5. Example: • A new policy on graduation requirements has just been released. • The school newspaper staff feels the policy needs to be clarified and want to offer support of the new policy. • This editorial would explain the policy with facts and offer support with the writers opinion. Example of Editorial that explains

6. Example: • Maybe your school has just been forced to close the student lounge area because of the mess continually left by students using it. • Your editorial may try to persuade the school to reopen the lounge. • This editorial would offer facts about the lounge and why it was closed and opinion about why/how it should reopen. Editorials that persuade

7. Example: • Perhaps a group in your school has received criticism about conduct. • Your editorial may come to the defense of this particular group, OR you may answer the criticism with facts and admissions along with an apology. • This editorial would provide facts about the situation as well as an opinion Editorials that Answer

8. Example: • Your school staff anticipates problems that lie ahead (maybe with testing schedules). • Your editorial would lay out the anticipated problems and perhaps offer solutions. • This editorial would provide facts about the potential problems and offer opinion about a possible solution. Editorials that Warn

9. Example: • Some editorials criticize the actions of others • Very important for the newspaper to offer solutions to the critiques they outline-otherwise the newspaper may lose respect of readers. Editorials that Criticize

10. Example: • Some issues do not need heavy criticism, but a useful approach may be to create a little humor through an entertaining editorial. Editorials that Entertain

11. Example: • When a person or group does something worthy of praise-offer congratulations through editorials. Editorials that Praise

12. Choose topics that are important to your readers • Your “Letters to the editor” column allows those with opposing views a chance to respond and/or criticize. Be sure your editorial can withstand the criticism without counter-letters. Selecting Editorial Topics

13. Research your topic! • Provide a clear, concise, simply worded editorial • Editorials are NOT written in 1st person (never use the pronoun I, me, or my) • Do use we, and sometimes you • Editorials are usually informal-should read more like a conversation between two people (writer and reader) Writing the Editorial

14. Most editorials range between 200-500 words • Grab your readers quickly • Make sure organization is smooth, logical and consistent • Introduction-statement/background • Reaction-explain position • Details-provide support for the position • Conclusion-comment on recommended solutions (etc.) and restate position Writing the Editorial