EDITORIAL WRITING

 They usually appear on the editorial or opinion page to differentiate them from news stories.

 Editorials comment on issues reported in the news articles. Weighing and presenting arguments, an
editorial reaches a conclusion and makes a recommendation regarding an issue.

 The editorial is the official stand of a newspaper. Because of these they are written in such a way that it
carries the opinion of the whole publication

 “I” and “my” are not used because they indicate personal opinion of a single writer.
 The editorial always includes a title.

Consider the following examples:

Rampant Rape: Whose Fault?

Newspaper are full of sad stories of rape cases. Just recently, two elementary school girls were reported
to have been raped and slain by drug addicts.
This heinous crime happens almost everyday. Whose fault? The parents, the rapists, or the victims
themselves?

Rampant rapes can be avoided if only parents take good care of their daughters. They should not permit
their daughters to go out at night. Drug addicts and drunkards roam the streets at night time. So do sex
maniacs.

Parents should not let their daughters leave their homes unchaperoned. They should always
know their whereabouts. On the other hand, these young girls should always heed their parents advice. They
should listen to reason. Mothers know best what is good for them.

Solution: Return to the Basics

Lengthening the elementary school up to Grade VII is not the solution to the poor quality of
instruction in the public school system.

Congress has deplored the proliferation of half-baked products of the present school system. Sen.
Edgardo Angara has proposed to add one curriculum year each to both elementary and high schools.

We believe that this is not the solution to the deteriorating educational system. The best we should do
is return to the basics- the mastery of the three Rs- Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.

Only competent and committed teachers should be employed. They should be given higher pay and
more incentives and benefits.

No amount of frequent seminars, workshops and conferences will help. Let us do away with
unnecessary innovations learned by educators abroad which are not applicable to Philippine setting. There are
so many “approaches” but as one President of the Philippine Normal University said, “We never reach.”

Also, the added years to the elementary and high school would mean more expenses on the part of the
parents
 CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING

1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories

2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle.
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not
personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a
good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive
criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's opinion. Give it some punch.

FOUR TYPES OF EDITORIAL

1. Explanation or Interpretation: 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.
Ex. New policies of the administration
New grading system
K-12 Curriculum

-describes the event, action, or proposal, then explains the causes and reasons
involved. This is followed by an assessment of importance, a look at possible effects,
then a statement of support or a call for further study.

A Tale of Horror: Population Explosion

Today, the Philippines has a population of 90 million. At the present rate of growth, this
small country, would have to support more than 150 million within 35 years.
This means that most of our high school students now, who would only be in their early
40’s or 50’s at that time, will be the ones to be most affected by the evil effect of population
explosion.

2. Criticism: 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.
Ex. Policies which the staff considers unfair to the student
Management of a school facility that needs to be improved such as library, canteen

-begins with a brief explanation of a problem and states the need for change. A
discussion of weaknesses, errors, or causes follows. Then a solution, suggestion, or alternative is
offered, along with supportive reasons for the proposed action.

A June 12 Thought: Respect Flag Rites

A flag ceremony, whether it be a flag raising or a flag retreat, is sacred. Therefore, it

should be observed with all the solemnity and sacredness a Filipino citizen can muster.
If flag ceremonies cannot be held properly, why then do we hold them at all?
 3. Persuasion/Argumentation: 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. It attempts to sway the reader to
a particular point of view. It also can support or oppose a current viewpoint or action, and then
recommend a course of action.
Ex. Is it right for the church to meddle in government affairs?
What do we need?
Should divorce be legalized in the Philippines?
Should same-sex marriage be recognized?

-explains the proposal, action, or viewpoint in question; takes a stand, lists and
explains reasons for taking this stand, then closes with arguments why the reader should
agree with the stand.

Science Not in Conflict with Religion

Can science be reconciled with religion?

This was the argument discussed in the open forum during the science seminar-workshop
held July 18 at the school social hall in observance of National Science and Technology Week.

This stemmed from the speech of Mr. Ernesto L. Damasco of the National Science
Technology Association who said that only truth does not change.

4. Praise/Appreciation: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not
as common as the other three. This type gives praise to a worthy deed done by a person or by an institution.
Commend people and organizations for something done well.
Ex. Retirement of a well-loved principal, teacher or any member of the staff.
National championship of an athletic team
Outstanding performance in a competition or activity

Science Not in Conflict with Religion

Can science be reconciled with religion?

This was the argument discussed in the open forum during the science seminar-workshop
held July 18 at the school social hall in observance of National Science and Technology Week.

This stemmed from the speech of Mr. Ernesto L. Damasco of the National Science
Technology Association who said that only truth does not change.

5. Praise/Appreciation: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not
as common as the other three. This type gives praise to a worthy deed done by a person or by an institution.
Commend people and organizations for something done well.
Ex. Retirement of a well-loved principal, teacher or any member of the staff.
National championship of an athletic team
Outstanding performance in a competition or activity

We Are Our Brothers’ Keepers

“And the Lord said unto Cain. Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I knownot.
Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9

This question asked millions of years ago in the Garden of Eden has lost its
meaning. This was the same question students of Rizal High School had sought to answer,
and answered, when the biggest flood in recent years hit Central Luzon.

May these students from Rizal High School serve as models for other students to
emulate. May their tribe increase.
 PARTS OF EDITORIAL WRITING

I. Introduction
II. Body
III. Conclusion
1. Introduction – Its is the beginning paragraph. It may contain the news upon which the editorial is based, in
which in case, the introduction is called. You state as briefly as possible the background and topic

Last week the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) decided to close the school cafeteria because the place
remained dirty despite repeated calls for cleaning up. Thrash left from lunches, used bottles and plastic cans were
found on tables, chairs, floors. Even left-over food were piled to rot in a corner. PTA members had complained
about these in the past to no avail.

2. Body - This contains the facts about the news or issues including the writer’s opinion or viewpoints. It builds
up the case through a logical arrangement of ideas supported by facts

Reaction – sets the reader up to receive the opinion

The PTA decision was correct and necessary. Not only does the dirty cafeteria cause health problems
to students, it gives a bad reflection of the school as well.

Details – support your reaction and lead to a conclusion

The problem surfaced several months ago when the PTA inspected the school laboratories and
facilities. The PTA members found the cafeteria messy and unclean that time.

After the inspection, Mr. Rene Ramirez, the PTA president, held a dialog with the cafeteria manager and
appealed for the maintenance of canteen cleanliness.

The canteen became clean for about a month. After that, the place went back to its old dirty state.

3. Conclusion- This is the last part either summarizes or drives home the point. It ties up the ideas and arguments
presented in the body. This is sometimes known as clincher.

We support the closing of the canteen in the hope that when it opens again, a cleaner, safer cafeteria
will serve the school. More than our support however, we believe that maintaining the cafeteria clean and safe
is everybody’s duty. It is not the duty of the management alone, not the duty of the PTA alone, but the duty of
all of us.

Conclusion maybe written in the form of:

1. Proverb
ex. Savage sentences ought to be deplored. But there is only safe rule to follow when travelling abroad. When
in Rome, do as the Romans do.
2. Quotations
ex. A book by Dennise and Ching Ping Bloodworth offers us an insight into the ways of statecraft. We think
this quotation from the book a timely reminder: “…A country or a party should form a vertical ‘united front’
with enemies who can be liquidated later, in order to be able to destroy the enemy who must be liquidated
now.”
3. Advice
ex. We must always be on the guard against these lawless elements.
4. Comparison
ex. Other countries were able to save their forests by buying our exported logs. For a few thousand dollars, we
are practically selling them the environs of future generations of Filipinos.
5. Contrast
ex. Societal reforms cannot, indeed, make headway if more privileges are piled up for a few while the great
majority of the population become mere onlookers.
6. Crusading
ex. Get out and vote!
 7. Argumentative
ex. We therefore urge the police, the local governments, Barangays and the courts to crack down hard on dog
thieves. In the old American West, horse thieves are lynched. We are not advocating the same punishment for
dog thieves but they should be treated as criminals, not as mere pranksters. If we don’t, our moral values will
certainly go to the dogs.
8. Formal and the standard form
ex. We hope it is not too late. It is about time the proper steps are taken.
9. Conclusion
ex. With these improvement programs, the people of Manila and suburbs are assured of good water supply and
efficient service.

TIPS
• Never use “I”
• Simple style
– Avoid highfalutin words
– Learn to develop a simple, clear, direct and vigorous style of writing
– Choose your words that will accurately describe or explain a point or issue
• Sound reasoning
– Support arguments with the right facts
– Logical thinking shows the writer’s competence
– Cluttered ideas and unsubstantiated arguments shoo readers away
• Brief, exact & concise
– 150 to 200 words
– Complex sentences and long paragraphs are wearisome and dull the senses
– See to it that every word used counts and serves its purpose
• One-editorial, one-point rule
– Focus on a theme
– Always have one point to convey to the readers
– Several points confuse the readers
• Be specific
– Use concrete facts and figures not general ideas, terms or statements
– Hazy and broad generalizations do not impress

The Way of Most Desks

Student-judges who inspected every room in connection with “Operation Cleanliness” found out that
most of the desks had scratches and/or ink spots. One can hardly write on them without a thick sheet of paper
for a pad.

Outside the classrooms, some desks are placed for the students to sit on. Students really take advantage
of them. They sit on top of the desks and place their muddy shoes on the seats instead.

When the 220 new desks for Pasig Line will be made available for the students’ use, will they end up
the way most desks go?

Topic: RH Bill, Stand: Favor

1. Cite first some major arguments against the issue. Cite sources/authorities/church leaders
2. Then, build your case (points) from strong to strongest
3. Title,
4. Intro (thesis)/ main point /stand (1-2 par)
5. Body (3-5 par.)
6. Conclusion (1 par)
 Intro:
Present the
problem or
situation.

Take a stand!
Opposing viewpoints are rebutted.

Reason #1 for position

Evidence for all 3 points.

Reason #2 for position

Reason #3 for position

Present Recap
a logical the staff
solution. stance.