What is an editorial?

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 sample editorial (read aloud).

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

3. Editorial Writing – The Basics • Editorials should be 350-500 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.

4. The Outline of an Editorial

5. The Editorial Man • The state director of UIL journalism created this drawing to help students remember the editorial outline. Head: Introduction Neck: Reaction Counter Argument Body: 3 paragraphs, 3 separate arguments Elaborate/Evidence Recap of staff stance Original solution

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. 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.