How to Write a Notable Editorial

How to Write a Notable Editorial

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This article was co-authored by Gerald Posner. Gerald Posner is a writer and journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative reporting, non-fiction books and editorials. He holds a law degree from the UC College of the Law in San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California-Berkeley. He is the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. It was also shortlisted for Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for the Advancement of Business Editing and Writing. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved after it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 17 testimonials from our readers, which earned it the status of an approved reader. This article has been viewed 422,549 times.

An editorial is an article that represents a group’s opinion on an issue and is therefore usually unsigned. Just as a lawyer would, editorial writers build on a point already made and try to convince readers to agree with them on a current, burning issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinion piece that has a side to the news.[1]

  1. Step 1 Choose your theme and angle.

    Editors need to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking and sometimes inspire people to take action on an issue. Your topic should be current, interesting and have a purpose. There are generally four types of editorials:[2]

    • Explanation or Interpretation: This format is used to explain how and why a newspaper or magazine took a particular position on a controversial topic.

    • Criticize: This format criticizes actions or decisions made by a third party, in addition to offering a better solution. It’s more to make readers see that there is a bigger problem.

    • Persuasion: This type is used to encourage the reader to take action, concentrating on the solutions rather than the problem.

    • Commendation: This format is used to show support for people and organizations in the community who have done something significant.[3]

  2. Step 2 Get your facts straight.

    The editorial is a mixture of fact and opinion; not only the opinion of the writer, but also the opinion of the entire staff. Your collection of facts should include objective reporting and research.

    • A good comment must contain at least one “point of enlightenment” that can be described as “an observation that is fresh and original”. So, take your facts from a number of different sources, pointing out patterns, looming consequences or a hole in the current analysis.

  3. Step 3 Make it user-friendly.

    Usually, editorials make for a fairly quick, engrossing read. It is not their intention to go on for pages and pages, repeating the point. Nor are they intended to make the average Joe feel like he’s missing out. Be careful not to make your editorial long or overly esoteric.

    • Make it about 600-800 words. The longer you run the risk of losing readers. A short, snappy, fiery text is much more captivating than a spoken lecture.
    • Remove the jargon. Your audience is reading your article for information about something they want to understand; using technical terms or specific jargon can be annoying and make your article difficult to accept. Keep in mind the lowest common denominator.

  1. Step 1 Begin your editorial with a thesis-like statement.

    The introduction – the first one or two paragraphs – should be designed to grab the reader’s attention. You can start with a rich question, a quote, or you can summarize what the entire editorial is about.

    • State your argument clearly. The rest of your editorial will be based on supporting this opinion. Make it as impressive as possible. However, never use “I” when doing this – it reduces the strength and credibility of the work and sounds rather informal.[4]

  2. Step 2 Lead with an objective, unbiased explanation of the problem.

    The body of your paper should objectively explain the problem, as a journalist would, and say why this situation is important to the reader or the community as a whole.[5]

    • Include who, what, when, where, why and how. Cover all your bases and include facts or quotes from relevant sources. This ensures that each reader has at least a basic knowledge (and an unbiased one) of the topic at hand.

  3. Step 3 First, present the opposing argument.

    Be sure to identify the groups that oppose you or the drivers of the discussion will become hazy. They express their opinions objectively, using accurate facts or quotes. Never use slander.

    • It’s fine to say positive things about the opposing side, as long as they’re real. This shows that you are taking the moral high road and giving a balanced review. If you neglect to present the good side of your opposition, your editorial will come across as biased and uninformed.
    • Give the opposition a real argument, and a strong one at that. You gain nothing by refuting non-questioning. Clearly state your beliefs and what they stand for.

  4. Step 4 Present your reasons/evidence that directly refute the opposition.

    Begin this section with a transition that flows clearly from their argument to yours. Use facts and quotes from others to support your opinion.

    • Start with strong reasons that only get stronger. Don’t feel limited to existing opinions – add your own. Whatever your reasons are, make sure you clearly stand on one side of the argument; there is no room for a gray area here.
    • Literary allusions are appropriate. This can give your credibility and scholarship.[6]
      Recall images of people or times from the past that present an image to your reader.

  5. Step 5 Publish your solution.

    This is different from reason and evidence. If you think cutting the defense budget is wrong, what would you rather cut instead? Coming up with your solution is imperative to solving the problem. If you don’t have one, any solution is better than yours.

    • Your solution must be clear, rational and feasible. It can’t just work in a vacuum. Moreover, it should be convincing. Ideally, your readers will be drawn to action by the information and answers you’ve presented.

  6. Step 6. Conclude your editorial with a bang, a noteworthy statement that will burn the editorial into the reader's mind forever.

    Use quotes or a question that will make readers think. (eg if we won’t take care of the environment, who will?)

    • End with a hard summary; you may have a few readers who have been absentmindedly browsing your article. Overall, your audience should leave feeling more informed and motivated to do more about it.

  7. Step 7 Proofread your paper.

    A great piece of work isn’t great if it’s riddled with spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Have someone on your team review your work – two minds are always better than one.

    • If you work as part of an organization, make sure you don’t misrepresent their views. Let your group review the article to make sure everyone (at least most) is on board with the arguments you’re about to post. They can, at the same time, present questions or ideas that you may have missed or glossed over.

Sample Op Ed

  • Never use “I” or “me”; this is not just your opinion. Thanks Helpful 89 Not helpful 8
  • Do not use profanity or slander. Defamation is a serious offence. Thanks Helpful 20 Not helpful 0
  • Do not mention or accuse specific names. Target a group or belief as your opposition. Thank you Helpful 74 Not helpful 9
  • Never plagiarize someone else’s work. Thank you Helpful 19 Not helpful 2

Categories: How to
Source: HIS Education

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