Unit 3
Unit 3
Unit 3
Structure
3.0 Objectives
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 What is an Editorial?
3.1.2 Importance of an Editorial
3.2 Parallels of Editorials in other Media
3.2.1 Television Editorials
3.2.2 Radio Editorials
3.2.3 Internet Editorials
3.3 Writing an Editorial
3.3.1 Length of an Editorial
3.3.2 Language of an Editorial
3.3.3 Glossary
3.3.4 Steps to Writing Your Editorial
3.4 Types of Editorials
3.4.1 Staff Editorials vs. Front Page Editorials
3.4.2 Signed Vs Unsigned Editorials
3.4.3 Third Editorial or Entertainment Editorials
3.4.4 Critical Editorials
3.4.5 Persuasive Editorials
3.4.6 Interpretative Editorials
3.4.7 Advocacy Editorials
3.5 Structure of an Editorial
3.6 Let Us Sum Up
3.7 Answers to Check Your Progress
3.0 OBJECTIVES
After having read this unit you will be able to
• Read and analyze an editorial in a news paper;
• Identify the various types of editorials;
• Understand the different styles of editorial writing; and
• Write an editorial.
3.1 INTRODUCTION
Newspapers report the news. When newspaper reporters tell a story, it is only facts
and we readers can form our views. Journalists generally have to leave their opinions
out of their writing. They have always been told to be unbiased and not to take a
stance. Yet most newspapers do have opinions. This is a class of writing called
“editorials” found in your newspaper every day.
Where can you find them? Are they on the same page everyday? Who writes them?
Who is offering this opinion? Why do we need to write the editorials? This unit will
answer all these questions.
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Media Writing 3.1.1 What is an Editorial?
An editorial is an article that states the newspaper’s views on particular news, events
or an issue of concern. It is the official stance of the publication.
You can find them at the same place on the same page of the newspaper, everyday.
This page is called the editorial page and the place is the left hand column of the
page, from top to bottom.
ii) AIR, BBC, VOA or private FM channels, which of these channels do you
listen to?
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The private stations like Red FM, Big FM, Radio Mirchi and others have only
entertainment based programmes but many a times as a humor or pun an issue is
commented upon by the jockey. This is the nearest these stations can come to
editorializing.
It is surprising, that no views of the government or the AIR are broadcast as editorials.
Statements of ministers or government Public Relation Officers, on issues of
importance are aired from time to time and analysis of these, as a part of news
bulletin, is done sometimes. This is the nearest AIR gets to being a parallel of a
newspaper editorial.
1) Get the reader’s attention quickly by the first paragraph being written in
attractive language.
2) Write short paragraphs and vary the length of sentences for effect.
3) Write with strong verbs and adjectives.
4) Use transitional devices for continuity.
5) Avoid redundancies in an editorial.
6) Use of one word substitution is prominent in editorials
7) Use active verbs while writing an opinion
8) Use concrete nouns while writing a comment.
Special tips
1) Both direct and indirect speech can be used while writing an editorial.
2) Metaphors and similes or both to be used if required
3) A mixture of abstract and concrete expresses better while commenting.
4) Rhetoric can be used.
5) Direct affirmations and negations too can be written.
6) Use of exclamations is justified in persuasive writing.
7) Apostrophe and within quotes can be paraphrased.
8) Dangling modifiers are helpful in editorial writing.
9) Inadvertent comment can be written in loaded words.
10) Sequence of tenses can be past – present – future to create effect.
3.3.3 Glossary
Editorial : An article expressing opinion of the newspaper on certain
issues.
Masthead : The information printed on the first page on the top with
the name, ownership, logo, rate and date of the newspaper.
Op-ed page : Page opposite the editorial which contains nationally
syndicated columns and good writers pieces.
Editor : A person who decides what news will go in the paper and
where it will appear.
Editorial board : A seven member board headed by the publisher which
decides what issues the newspaper will offer an opinion
on.
Editorial policy : Policy of coverage of news and stances of the newspaper
decided by the editorial board.
Column : An opinion piece that expresses the writer’s own view and
carries his or her name and often a picture.
Syndicated column : Columns sent by associations which buy and sell stories,
features, etc.
Letters to editor : Letters of feedback or opinion on various issues by the
readers.
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Media Writing Middle : A humorous write up in the centre of the editorial page in
a box.
Editorial writer : Any member of the editorial board who researches and
writes the editorials that represent the newspaper’s position
on most issues.
Connecting: Remember to brain storm before you write the first draft . The main
body should have clean accurate details and examples. Give strong examples at the
beginning and at the end. Show the opposing arguments and their weaknesses.
Offer a solution in the end.
Correcting: Getting it right – your editorial should be clear and forceful. Do not
preach. Be honest and accurate.
Sample of what could go into the five paragraph editorial:
i) A personal experience, a thesis statement
ii) Explanation of the other side of the issue
iii) Examples to support your view points
iv) Reasons for your view point
v) The last paragraph should restate your thesis statement and end on a positive
note.
Tips for writing Editorials
1) Don’t use the word I. Your life is not interesting. Your personal experiences
are tiresome. Using the first person also sounds preachy and righteous, which
alienates readers.
2) Avoid sarcasm. You aren’t very funny. Too much sarcasm comes off as
immature and can ruin your credibility.
3) The sky is not falling – do not exaggerate. It makes you sound too emotional
and irrational.
4) Challenge authority not personality. Attacking coaches or politicians simply
attract letters to editors but attacking their ideas, policies and actions is great
editorializing.
Front page editorials are opinions of the editor-in-chief or owner of the newspaper
in an editorial column format on the first page of the newspaper. These are written
only in great emergencies or on topics of supreme importance.
You have also learnt of the parallels television, radio and internet have of editorials
and how they differ from newspapers in content and style.
This unit also teaches you to write editorials in correct length, language and usage
akin to the policy of the organization.
In the second part of the unit you have seen the various types and styles of editorials.
By now it must be clear that editorials are written with different slants and objectives,
putting forth the views of the organization on a particular topic or event.
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We hope now you will not skip the editorial page and will read the editorials Editorial Writing
judiciously. Also you will be able to write editorials with a critics’ view point.
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