Writing Beginner

How To Write An Editorial (7 Easy Steps, Examples, & Guide)

Writing an editorial is one of those things that sounds like it should be pretty straightforward. Easy, even.

But then you sit down to start typing. Your fingers freeze over the keyboard. You gaze into the perfectly blank white space of your computer screen.

Wait , you think. How do I write an editorial ?

Here’s how to write an editorial:

  • Choose a newsworthy topic (Something with broad interest)
  • Choose a clear purpose (This will guide your entire process)
  • Select an editorial type (Opinion, solution, criticism, persuasive, etc)
  • Gather research (Facts, quotes, statistics, etc)
  • Write the editorial (Using an Editorial Template that includes an introduction, argument, rebuttal, and conclusion)
  • Write the headline (Title)
  • Edit your editorial (Grammar, facts, spelling, structure, etc)

In this article, we’ll go through each of these steps in detail so that you know exactly how to write an editorial.

What Is an Editorial? (Quick Definition)

Stack of newspapers - How To Write an Editorial

Before we jump into the mechanics of how to write an editorial, it’s helpful to get a good grasp on the definition of editorials.

Here is a simple definition to get us started:

An editorial is a brief essay-style piece of writing from a newspaper, magazine, or other publication. An editorial is generally written by the editorial staff, editors, or writers of a publication.

Of course, there’s a lot more to it than simply dashing out an essay.

There is the purpose, different types of editorials, elements of a good editorial, structure, steps to writing an editorial, and the actual mechanics of writing your editorial.

“In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.” – Alan Weintraut

What Is the Purpose of an Editorial?

The purpose of an editorial is to share a perspective, persuade others of your point of view, and possibly propose a solution to a problem.

The most important part is to pick one purpose and stick to it.

Rambling, incoherent editorials won’t do. They won’t get you the results or the response you might want.

When it comes to purpose, you want:

  • Singular focus
  • Personal connection

The first two probably make sense with no explanation. That last one (personal connection) deserves more attention.

The best editorials arise from personal passions, values, and concerns. You will naturally write with vigor and voice. Your emotion will find its way into your words.

Every bit of this will make your editorials instantly more compelling.

What Are the Different Types of Editorials?

There are two main types of editorials and a number of different subtypes.

One of the first steps in how to write an editorial is choosing the right type for your intended purpose or desired outcome.

The two main types of editorials:

Opinion Editorial

In an opinion editorial, the author shares a personal opinion about a local or national issue.

The issue can be anything from local regulations to national human trafficking.

Typically, the topic of an editorial is related to the topics covered in the publication. Some publications, like newspapers, cover many topics.

Solution Editorial

In a solution editorial, the author offers a solution to a local or national problem.

It’s often recommended for the author of solution editorials to cite credible sources as evidence for the validity of the proposed solution (BTW, research is also important for opinion editorials).

There are also several editorial subtypes based on purpose:

  • Explain (you can explain a person, place, or thing)
  • Criticism (you can critically examine a person, place, or thing)
  • Praise (celebrate a person, place, or thing)
  • Defend (you can defend a person, place, or thing)
  • Endorsement (support a person, place, or thing)
  • Catalyst (for conversation or change)

How To Write an Editorial (7 Easy Steps)

As a reminder, you can write an editorial by following seven simple steps.

  • Choose a topic
  • Choose a purpose
  • Select an editorial type
  • Gather research
  • Write the editorial
  • Write the headline
  • Edit your editorial

If you want a short, visual explanation of how to write an editorial, check out this video from a bona fide New York Times Editor:

1) Choose a Newsworthy Topic

How do you choose a topic for your editorial?

You have several options. Your best bet is to go with a topic about which you feel strongly and that has broad appeal.

Consider these questions:

  • What makes you angry?
  • What makes your blood boil?
  • What gets you excited?
  • What is wrong with your community or the world?

When you write from a place of passion, you imbue your words with power. That’s how to write an editorial that resonates with readers.

2) Choose a Purpose

The next step for how to write an editorial is to choose your purpose.

What do you want to accomplish with your editorial? What ultimate outcome do you desire? Answering these questions will both focus your editorial and help you select the most effective editorial type.

Remember: a best practice is honing in on one specific purpose.

Your purpose might be:

  • To trigger a specific action (such as voting)
  • To raise awareness
  • To change minds on an issue

3) Select a type

Now it’s time to select the best editorial type for your writing. Your type should align with your purpose.

In fact, your purpose probably tells you exactly what kind of editorial to write.

First, determine which major type of editorial best fits your purpose. You can do this by asking yourself, “Am I giving an opinion or offering a solution?”

Second, select your subtype. Again, look to your purpose. Do you want to explain? Persuade? Endorse? Defend?

Select one subtype and stick to it.

4) Gather Research

Don’t neglect this important step.

The research adds value, trust, credibility, and strength to your argument. Think of research as evidence. What kind of evidence do you need?

You might need:

  • Research findings

All of these forms of evidence strengthen your argument.

Shoot for a mix of evidence that combines several different variations. For example, include an example, some statistics, and research findings.

What you want to avoid:

  • Quote, quote, quote
  • Story, story, story

Pro tip: you can find research articles related to your topic by going to Google Scholar.

For other evidence, try these sources:

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Government
  • National Bureau of Economic Research

You might also want to check with your local librarian and community Chamber of Commerce for local information.

5) Write Your Editorial

Finally, you can start writing your editorial.

Aim to keep your editorial shorter than longer. However, there is no set length for an editorial.

For a more readable editorial, keep your words and sentences short. Use simple, clear language. Avoid slang, acronyms, or industry-specific language.

If you need to use specialized language, explain the words and terms to the reader.

The most common point of view in editorials is first person plural. In this point of view, you use the pronouns “we” and “us.”

When writing your editorial, it’s helpful to follow an Editorial Template. The best templates include all of the essential parts of an editorial.

Here is a basic Editorial template you can follow:

Introduction Response/Reaction Evidence Rebuttal Conclusion

Here is a brief breakdown of each part of an editorial:

Introduction: The introduction is the first part of an editorial. It is where the author introduces the topic that they will be discussing. In an editorial, the author typically responds to a current event or issue.

Response/Reaction: The response/reaction is the part of the editorial where the author gives their opinion on the topic. They state their position and give reasons for why they believe what they do.

Evidence: The evidence is typically a series of facts or examples that support the author’s position. These can be statistics, quotations from experts, or personal experiences.

Rebuttal: The rebuttal is the part of the editorial where the author addresses any arguments or counter-arguments that may be raised against their position. They refute these arguments and offer additional evidence to support their point of view.

Conclusion: The conclusion is the last part of an editorial. It wraps up the author’s argument and provides a final statement on the topic.

6) Write The Headline

Your headline must be catchy, not clickbait. There’s a fine line between the two, and it’s not always a clear line.

Characteristics of a catchy headline:

  • Makes the reader curious
  • Includes at least one strong emotion
  • Clearly reveals the subject of the editorial
  • Short and sweet
  • Doesn’t overpromise or mislead (no clickbait)

Your headline will either grab a reader’s attention or it will not. I suggest you spend some time thinking about your title. It’s that important. You can also learn how to write headlines from experts.

Use these real editorial headlines as a source of inspiration to come up with your own:

  • We Came All This Way to Let Vaccines Go Bad in the Freezer?
  • What’s the matter with Kansas?
  • War to end all wars
  • Still No Exit
  • Zimbabwe’s Stolen Election
  • Running out of time
  • Charter Schools = Choices

Suggested read: How To Write an Autobiography

7) Edit Your Editorial

The final step is to edit and proofread your editorial.

You will want to check your editorial for typos, spelling, grammatical, and punctuation mistakes.

I suggest that you also review your piece for structure, tone, voice, and logical flaws.

Your editorial will be out in the public domain where any troll with a keyboard or smartphone (which, let’s be honest, is everyone) can respond to you.

If you’ve done your job, your editorial will strike a nerve.

You might as well assume that hordes of people might descend on your opinion piece to dissect every detail. So check your sources. Check the accuracy of dates, numbers, and figures in your piece.

Double-check the spelling of names and places. Make sure your links work.

Triple-check everything.

Editorial Structures and Outlines

As you learn how to write an editorial, you have many choices.

One choice is your selection of structure.

There are several editorial structures, outlines, and templates. Choose the one that best fits your topic, purpose, and editorial type.

Every editorial will have a beginning, middle, and end.

Here are a few specific structures you can use:

  • Problem, Solution, Call to Action
  • Story, Message, Call to Action
  • Thesis, Evidence, Recommendation
  • Your View, Opposing Views, Conclusion

How Do You Start an Editorial?

A common way to start an editorial is to state your point or perspective.

Here are a few other ways to start your editorial:

  • The problem
  • Startling statement
  • Tell a story
  • Your solution

Other than the headline, the beginning of your editorial is what will grab your reader.

If you want to write an editorial that gets read, then you must write a powerful opening.

How Do You End an Editorial?

You can end with a call-to-action, a thoughtful reflection, or a restatement of your message.

Keep in mind that the end of your editorial is what readers will most likely remember.

You want your ending to resonate, to charge your reader with emotion, evidence, and excitement to take action.

After all, you wrote the editorial to change something (minds, policies, approaches, etc.).

In a few sections (see below), you will learn a few simple templates that you can “steal” to help you end your editorial. Of course, you don’t have to use the templates.

They are just suggestions.

Often, the best way to conclude is to restate your main point.

What Makes a Good Editorial?

Even if you learn how to write an editorial, it doesn’t mean the editorial will automatically be good. You may be asking, What makes a good editorial ?

A good editorial is clear, concise, and compelling.

Therefore, the best editorials are thought out with a clear purpose and point of view. What you want to avoid is a rambling, journal-type essay. This will be both confusing and boring to the reader.

That’s the last thing you want.

Here are some other elements of a good editorial:

  • Clear and vivid voice
  • Interesting point of view
  • Gives opposing points of view
  • Backed up by credible sources
  • Analyzes a situation
“A good editorial is contemporary without being populist.” —Ajai Singh and Shakuntala Singh

How Do You Know If You’ve Written a Good Editorial?

Many people want to know how to tell if they have written a good editorial.

How do you know?

You can tell by the response you get from the readers. A good editorial sparks a community conversation. A good editorial might also result in some type of action based on the solution you propose.

An article by Ajai Singh and Shakuntala Singh in Mens Sana Monograph says this about good editorials:

It tackles recent events and issues, and attempts to formulate viewpoints based on an objective analysis of happenings and conflicting/contrary opinions. Hence a hard-hitting editorial is as legitimate as a balanced equipoise that reconciles apparently conflicting positions and controversial posturings, whether amongst politicians (in news papers), or amongst researchers (in academic journals).

Note that newsworthy events, controversy, and balance matter in editorials.

It’s also a best practice to include contradicting opinions in your piece. This lends credibility and even more balance to your peice.

Editorial Examples & Templates

As you write your own editorial, study the following example templates “stolen” from real editorials.

You can use these templates as “sentence starters” to inspire you to write your own completely original sentences.

Phrases for the beginning:

  • It’s been two weeks since…
  • Look no further than…
  • The country can’t…

Phrases for the middle:

  • That’s an astonishing failure
  • It should never have come to this
  • Other [counties, states, countries, etc.] are…
  • Within a few days…
  • Not everyone shares my [opinion, pessimism, optimism]
  • Officials say…

Phrases for the end:

  • Let’s commit to…
  • Finally…
  • If we can…we will…

Honestly, the best way to learn how to write an editorial is to read and study as many published editorials as possible. The more you study, the better you will understand what works.

Study more editorials at these links:

  • New York Times editorials
  • USA Today editorials
  • The Washington Post

How To Write an Editorial for Students

Writing an editorial for students is virtually the same as writing an editorial at any other time.

However, your teacher or professor might give you specific instructions, guidelines, and restrictions. You’ll want to read all of these thoroughly, get clarity, and follow the “rules” as much as possible.

Writing an editorial is a skill that will come in handy throughout your life. Whether you’re writing a letter to the editor of your local paper or creating a post for your blog, being able to communicate your ideas clearly and persuasively is an important skill. Here are some tips to help you write an effective editorial:

  • Know your audience. Who are you writing for? What are their concerns and interests? Keep this in mind as you craft your message.
  • Make a clear argument. What is it that you want your readers to know? What do you want them to do? Be sure to state your case clearly and concisely.
  • Support your argument with evidence. Use facts, statistics, and expert opinions to make your case.
  • Use strong language . Choose words that will resonate with your readers and make them want to take action.
  • Be persuasive, not blasting. You want your readers to be convinced by your argument, not turned off by aggressive language. Stay calm and collected as you make your case.

By following these tips, you can write an effective student editorial that will get results.

What Is an Editorial In a Newspaper?

The editorial section of a newspaper is where the publication’s editorial board weighs in on important issues facing the community. This section also includes columns from guest writers and staff members, as well as letters to the editor.

The editorial board is made up of the publication’s top editors, who are responsible for setting the tone and direction of the paper.

In addition to op-eds, the editorial section also features editorials, which are written by the editorial board and represent the official position of the paper on an issue.

While editorial boards may lean one way or another politically, they strive to present both sides of every issue in a fair and unbiased way.

Ultimately, the goal of the editorial section is to promote thoughtful discussion and debate on the topics that matter most to readers.

Final Thoughts: How To Write an Editorial

Whew , we have covered a lot of ground in this article. I hope that you have gained everything you need to know about how to write an editorial.

There are a lot of details that go into writing a good editorial.

If you get confused or overwhelmed, know that you are not alone. Know that many other writers have been there before, and have struggled with the same challenges.

Mostly, know that you got this .

Related posts:

  • How To Write an Ode (7 Easy Steps & Examples)
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  • Best AI Essay Writer (With Examples)
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How to Practice Academic Medicine and Publish from Developing Countries? pp 263–266 Cite as

How to Write an Editorial?

  • Samiran Nundy 4 ,
  • Atul Kakar 5 &
  • Zulfiqar A. Bhutta 6  
  • Open Access
  • First Online: 24 October 2021

39k Accesses

11 Altmetric

An Editorial is defined as an opinion or a view of a member of the editorial board or any senior or reputed faculty written in a journal or newspaper. The statement reflects the opinion of the journal and is considered to be an option maker. If you have been asked to write an editorial it means that you are an expert on that topic. Editorials are generally solicited.

Editorial writers enter after battle and shoot the wounded Neil Goldschmidt, American Businessman and Politician (1940–…)

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1 What Is an Editorial?

2 how is the topic for an editorial chosen.

This is decided by the members of the editorial board and is usually related to important work which is about to be published in the journal. If you are invited to write an editorial on a topic of your choosing you should preferably write one on a general or public health problem that might interest a wide readership [ 1 ].

3 What Should be the Contents of an Editorial?

It has been said that ‘Editors, by and large, are reticent people, with a magnified sense of their own importance. Well, this may hurt some, but before they jump at our throats, let us clarify that we belong there as well’. The editorial should not look like an introduction to an original article or a self-glorifying piece of fiction.

Editorial writing has been compared to a double-edged sword, you can be apolitical and pragmatic but at the same time dogmatic in your views. The majority of editorials provide the readers a balanced view of the problems raised in a particular research paper and place them in a wider context. But there is no harm in going to extremes if the data supports your view. However, you should not mock the paper’s authors [ 2 ].

4 What Is the Basic Information Required for Writing an Editorial?

First, read the paper for which the editorial has been asked again and again. Do a literature search and critically analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the study. Read about how and why other authors came to similar or different conclusions. Discuss whether or not the findings are important [ 3 ].

An editorial should be brief, about one to two pages long, but it should be powerful. The language should be a combination of good English and good science. The writing can be ‘embellished by language but not drowned in it’. While a good editorial states a view, it does not force the reader to believe it and gives him the liberty to form his own opinion.

5 What Are the Steps Involved in Writing an Editorial?

Choose a topic intelligently.

Have a catchy title.

Declare your stance early.

Build up your argument with data, statistics and quotes from famous persons.

Provide possible solutions to the problem.

Follow a definite structure consisting of an introduction, a body that contains arguments and an end with a tailpiece of a clear conclusion. It should give the reader a chance to ponder over the questions and concerns raised.

6 What Are the Types of Editorial?

Editorials can be classified into four types. They may:

Explain or interpret : Editors use this type of editorial to explain a new policy, a new norm or a new finding.

Criticize: this type of editorial is used to disapprove of any finding or observation.

Persuade: These encourage the reader to adopt new thoughts or ideas.

Praise: These editorials admire the authors for doing something well.

7 What Is the Purpose of an Editorial?

An editorial is a personal message from the editor to the readers. It may be a commentary on a published article or topic of current interest which has not been covered by the journal. Editorials are also written on new developments in medicine. They may also cover non-scientific topics like health policy, law and medicine, violence against doctors, climate change and its effect on health, re-emerging infectious diseases, public interventions for the control of non -communicable diseases and ongoing epidemics or pandemics [ 4 ].

8 What Are the Instructions for Writing Editorials in Major Journals?

Many editorials written by in-house editors or their teams represent the voice of the journal. A few journals allow outside authors to write editorials. The details for these suggested by some of the leading journals are given in Table 26.1 .

9 What Is a Viewpoint?

A Viewpoint is a short article that focuses on some key issues, cutting-edge technology or burning topics or any new developments in the field of medicine. It can be a ‘personal opinion’ or any piece of information, which gives the author’s perspective on a particular issue, supported by the literature. Viewpoints can also be unencumbered by journal policy. The normal length of viewpoints can flexible. The BMJ, for instance, also allows viewpoints to be written by patients.

Viewpoints may share a few common features with commentaries, perspectives and a focus which is a brief, timely piece of information. It is like a ‘spotlight’ that contains information on research funding, policy issues and regulatory issues whereas a commentary is an in-depth analysis of a current matter which can also include educational policy, law besides any other seminal issue.

10 Conclusions

An editorial is written to provide a crisp, concise overview of an original article. It is generally deemed to be an honour to be asked to write an editorial.

One needs to follow the general instructions for writing editorials for a particular journal.

It should have an objective and the flow of ideas should be clear.

Squires BP. Editorials and platform articles: what editors want from authors and peer reviewers. CMAJ. 1989;141:666–7.

CAS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Singh A, Singh S. What is a good editorial? Mens Sana Monogr. 2006;4:14–7.

Article   Google Scholar  

Cleary M, Happell B, Jackson D, Walter G. Writing a quality editorial. Nurse Author & Editor. 2012;22:3.

Article types at The BMJ. Last accessed on 12th July 2020. Available on https://www.bmj.com/about-bmj/resources-authors/article-types

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Samiran Nundy

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Nundy, S., Kakar, A., Bhutta, Z.A. (2022). How to Write an Editorial?. In: How to Practice Academic Medicine and Publish from Developing Countries?. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5248-6_26

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Writing an Editorial

Another Tutorial by: Alan Weintraut Annandale High School Annandale, VA 22312 [email protected]

CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.

Editorials have: 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 Editorials Will: 1. Explain or interpret : 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. 2. Criticize: 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. 3. Persuade: 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. 4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not as common as the other three.

Writing an Editorial 1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers. 2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research 3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement 4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is important 5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts 6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures, quotations. Pick apart the other side's logic. 7. Concede a point of the opposition — they must have some good points you can acknowledge that would make you look rational. 8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader's minds. 9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction. 10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis statement). 11. Keep it to 500 words; make every work count; never use "I"

A Sample Structure I. Lead with an Objective Explanation of the Issue/Controversy. Include the five W's and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are looking to cut funding from public television. Hearings were held …)

  • Pull in facts and quotations from the sources which are relevant.
  • Additional research may be necessary.

II. Present Your Opposition First. As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you. (Republicans feel that these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick them; only the rich watch public television.)

  • Use facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions.
  • Give a strong position of the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting a weak position.

III. Directly Refute The Opposition's Beliefs.

You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a "sandbox for the rich." However, statistics show most people who watch public television make less than $40,000 per year.)

  • Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support your position.
  • Concede a valid point of the opposition which will make you appear rational, one who has considered all the options (fiscal times are tough, and we can cut some of the funding for the arts; however, …).

IV. Give Other, Original Reasons/Analogies

In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest order. (Taking money away from public television is robbing children of their education …)

  • Use a literary or cultural allusion that lends to your credibility and perceived intelligence (We should render unto Caesar that which belongs to him …)

V. Conclude With Some Punch.

Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should look to where real wastes exist — perhaps in defense and entitlements — to find ways to save money. Digging into public television's pocket hurts us all.)

  • A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected source
  • A rhetorical question can be an effective concluder as well (If the government doesn't defend the interests of children, who will?)

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Article contents

Editorial journalism and newspapers’ editorial opinions.

  • Julie Firmstone Julie Firmstone School of Media and Communication, University of Leeds
  • https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.803
  • Published online: 26 March 2019

Editorial journalism and newspapers’ editorial opinions represent an area of research that can make an important contribution to our understanding of the relationship between the press and politics. Editorials are a distinctive format and are the only place in a newspaper where the opinions of a paper as an organization are explicitly represented. Newspapers and the journalists who write editorials play a powerful role in constructing political debate in the public sphere. They use their editorial voice to attempt to influence politics either indirectly, through reaching public opinion, or directly, by targeting politicians. Editorial journalism is at its most persuasive during elections, when newspapers traditionally declare support for candidates and political parties. Despite the potential of editorial opinions to influence democratic debate, and controversy over the way newspapers and their proprietors use editorials to intervene in politics, editorial journalism is under-researched. Our understanding of the significance of this distinctive form of journalism can be better understood by exploring four key themes.

First, asking “What is editorial journalism?” establishes the context of editorial journalism as a unique practice with opinion-leading intentions. Several characteristics of editorial journalism distinguish it from other formats and genres. Editorials (also known as leading articles) require a distinctive style and form of expression, occupy a special place in the physical geography of a newspaper, represent the collective institutional voice of a newspaper rather than that of an individual, have no bylines in the majority of countries, and are written with differing aims and motivations to news reports. The historical development of journalism explains the status of editorials as a distinctive form of journalism. Professional ideals and practices evolved to demand objectivity in news reporting and the separation of fact from opinion. Historically, editorial and advocacy journalism share an ethos for journalism that endeavors to effect social or political change, yet editorial journalism is distinctive from other advocacy journalism practices in significant ways. Editorials are also an integral part of the campaign journalism practiced by some newspapers.

Second, research and approaches in the field of political communication have attributed a particularly powerful role to editorial journalism. Rooted in the effects tradition, researchers have attributed an important role to editorials in informing and shaping debate in the public sphere in four ways: (1) as an influence on readers, voters, and/or public opinion; (2) as an influence on the internal news agendas and coverage of newspapers; (3) as an influence on the agendas and coverage in other news media; and (4) as an influence on political or policy agendas. Theorizing newspapers as active and independent political actors in the political process further underpins the need to research editorial journalism. Third, editorial journalism has been overlooked by sociological studies of journalism practices. Research provides a limited understanding of the routines and practices of editorial journalists and the organization of editorial opinion at newspapers. Although rare, studies focusing on editorial journalism show that editorial opinion does not simply reflect the influence of proprietors, as has often been assumed. Rather, editorial opinions are shaped by a complex range of factors. Finally, existing research trajectories and current developments point to new challenges and opportunities for editorial journalism. These challenges relate to how professional norms respond to age-old questions about objectivity, bias, and partisanship in the digital age.

  • editorial journalism
  • leader writing
  • advocacy journalism
  • campaign journalism
  • newspapers as political actors
  • press partisanship
  • media effects
  • opinion leading
  • journalism studies

Introducing Editorial Journalism

The potential for newspapers’ editorial opinions to influence voters and politicians has driven debate and scholarship to coalesce around editorial opinion as the most tangible manifestation of the power of the press. Elections are very often followed by public debate about the power of newspapers to shape the outcome. Indeed, newspapers are not averse to claiming responsibility for influencing voters, as evidenced by the notorious British tabloid headline “It’s the Sun wot won it” the day after the unexpected election of a Conservative government in 1992 . Whether editorials have the power to change voters’ behavior is contested, yet much scholarship is based on the premise that newspapers’ opinions at least exert some influence in the construction of public knowledge: “How editorial writers interpret and use facts and opinions to persuade, to set an agenda, or to scold can bring about an important different meaning for the reading public” (Hallock, 2007 , p. 11).

The distinctive role of editorials as the collective identity of a newspaper and their overt and deliberate persuasive intentions distinguish editorial journalism from other journalism. Our understanding of the significance of this distinctive form can be better understood by structuring an analysis of research and theoretical approaches to editorial journalism into four key themes. The first draws on research to define editorial journalism as a distinctive practice. The second theme considers the significance attributed to editorial journalism by theoretical approaches that conceptualize the opinion-leading role of the press and provide evidence of the persuasive power of editorials in the public sphere. In the third theme, findings from sociological studies of the practice of editorial journalism are reviewed to consider influences on newspapers’ editorial opinions. Finally, existing research trajectories and current developments point to new challenges and opportunities for editorial journalism. These challenges relate to how professional norms respond to age-old questions about objectivity, bias, and partisanship in the digital age.

Editorial Journalism as a Distinct Genre and Practice

The genre of editorial journalism is exclusive to newspapers and refers to the practice of writing editorial articles (editorials), sometimes known as leaders or leading articles. These articles make up the editorial column, an historical feature of the printed newspaper format worldwide although there are some places where editorials are not commonplace including Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria. 1 Editorials are published in the name of the newspaper rather than attributed to individual journalists (see below for exceptions), and are intended to represent the collective opinion or the public voice of a newspaper. Editorials allow newspapers to make allegiances known; support and oppose individuals; speak on behalf of their readers; speak to readers; and speak to politicians, parties, and other organizations. Editorial journalism is not be confused with the use of the term “editorial” to refer to content in a news product that has been produced as journalism rather than other non-journalistic content such as advertising. The concept as explored here also differs from “editorializing,” which can occur in all types of journalism. Editorializing refers to instances when a personal opinion is expressed, usually when a journalist should only be giving a report of the facts.

Editorials differ from other opinion formats such as columns, commentary pages, letters to the editor, op-ed pages, or guest contributions. Formats vary but it is most common for editorials to be physically located toward the front or midway through the newspaper, and they are usually adjacent to the op-ed pages, cartoons, and letters to the editor. In some places editorials appear on the back page (Greece), on the front page (Saudi Arabia), or either on the front page or the first four to six pages (China). In some countries, there are variations among newspapers, for example, with some publishing editorials with bylines on page 2 and others giving comment in the name of the paper on page 22 (France). In Australia, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, papers tend to publish editorials in roughly the same place (the middle) each day as a matter of tradition. With the exception of Greece, Sweden, some French papers (and no doubt some other countries), editorials are not attributed to individual journalists because they represent the collective voice of the newspaper.

The separation and clear identification of editorial articles as opinion has been carried over to online versions of newspapers. Editorials are written by specialist journalists known as leader writers (in the United Kingdom) who occupy senior positions within newspapers and/or by members of the editorial board (in the United States), and by high profile named journalists (Greece). In the most common format in the United Kingdom, a daily leader column consists of three editorial articles, usually of diminishing length and with the first article indicating prominence. Editorials vary in length according to the traditional newspapers formats (broadsheet/quality/tabloid) and are rarely over five hundred words. The editorial (or leader) column is most often visually framed as the institutional view of the paper, with headers that often include newspaper mastheads, value statements, crests, or logos. In exceptional cases such as election time or as part of a newspaper’s campaign, editorial opinion is published in a different format to give it greater prominence. Publishing editorials in unusual places such as on the front page (rare in the United Kingdom), or devoting an entire page or a double-page spread to an editorial pushes a newspaper’s opinion further up the agenda (Firmstone, 2016 , 2017 ).

The visual and physical demarcation of editorials from other content evolved as a crucial practice by which to observe the professional journalistic norm of separating fact from opinion. The ethical motivation to ensure that fact-based content is not tainted is further assured by the common practice of enforcing an unmovable boundary between the roles of news and opinion production.

The History of Editorial Journalism

Editorials and their status as a distinct genre stem from the historical development of journalism as a profession with ideals and practices that demand news reporting to be objective, to separate fact from opinion and, in the United States, to maintain a commitment to neutrality (a non-partisan press). The editorial emerged as a distinct format in response to the norms and values associated with the establishment of journalism as a profession in the early 20th century . Comprehensive historical accounts of the development of newspaper journalism (predominantly only available for the United States) describe how the separation of fact and opinion became a central organizing principle of journalistic practice (Jacobs & Townsley, 2011 ; Schudson, 1978 ). In tracing the origins of the leading article back to Victorian times, Liddle describes editorial journalism in the 1800s as “the most important, authoritative, and characteristic mode of British journalism” (Liddle, 1999 , p. 5).

From a point in the 1860s when the U.S. press was at its most political and expressed allegiances to political parties explicitly, newspapers moved to cut their official ties with political parties over the course of the late 19th and early 20th centuries . Great value was placed on demonstrating independence from parties and government through objective, fair, balanced reporting. At the same time, newspapers and their owners wanted to assert their voice as an independent and powerful force in public deliberation.

The creation of the editorial column in the United States in the 1920s enabled a strict separation of fact-based “objective” journalism from opinion (Schudson, 1978 ). Editorials were introduced as a vehicle to illustrate to readers a newspaper’s independence from government on a daily basis (Conboy, 2005 ). The segregation of news reporting from editorial opinion also served to allow journalists to defend their reporting as independent from the capitalist interests of newspaper owners. In the early 21st century , journalistic norms in the United States dictate that news pages report objectively and autonomously from the political views and opinions of the editorial board and proprietors. This requirement features in the American Society of News Editors “Statement of Principles”: “To be impartial does not require the press to be unquestioning or to refrain from editorial expression. Sound practice, however, demands a clear distinction for the reader between news reports and opinion. Articles that contain opinion or personal interpretation should be clearly identified” (ASNE, 2018 ).

The corresponding regulatory guidelines in the United Kingdom highlight a key difference in the way that the objectivity norm developed on each side of the Atlantic. Although objectivity in the United States was bound up with the development of an impartial press, the values British newspaper journalists associated with objectivity did not evolve to prohibit partisanship (Hampton, 2008 ). Instead, objectivity was more about independence and truth, and developed in institutionally specific contexts. The Independent Press Standards Organization (IPSO) guidelines state that newspapers are “free to editorialise and campaign but are obliged to make a clear distinction between comment, conjecture and fact” (IPSO, 2018 ). In spite of these voluntary regulations, the line between opinion and fact-based news reporting in the United Kingdom is blurred. Although no longer officially aligned with political parties, the U.K. press is famously partisan. Although news reporting purports to operate separately from opinion, it is generally agreed that editorial opinions shape the selection and framing of news reports.

Unfortunately, less is known about the historical development of editorial journalism in other cultural contexts. As the field of journalism studies expands, cross-national studies reveal that objectivity varies in importance in different journalistic cultures (Hallin & Mancini, 2004 ). For example, in Germany a clear distinction is not made between subjective commentary and news reporting (Esser, 1998 ; Hallin & Mancini, 2004 ). Despite such country-based differences, the editorial column represents a common format worldwide, where such deliberations are not required.

Newspapers’ Editorial Opinions and Partisanship

Newspapers use the distinctive format of an editorial to intervene into politics and to influence public opinion. During elections, newspapers traditionally use their editorial voice to endorse a candidate or party. The endorsement of political candidates is an “integral part of the electoral machinery” (Meltzer, 2007 , p. 99) and the bellwether of a newspaper’s partisanship. Endorsements and support for parties are often the culmination of editorial opinions that have been voiced over a prolonged period prior to election periods. Explicit declarations of partisanship are typically made on or around polling day and continue to shape editorial coverage until and unless an organizational decision is made to switch allegiances. It is possible to make observations about the overall political leaning of the national press by combining measurements of partisanship with a newspaper’s share of circulation (Seymour Ure, 1997 , 2002 ; Wring & Deacon, 2010 ). The strong connection between ownership and partisanship has led to concerns about plurality because of the gradual shift toward a concentration of ownership within many national newspaper systems (Hallock, 2007 ).

Although editorials routinely engage in debates that encompass a far wider range of political opinions than the formal support of political parties, most studies only use editorials as simple measures of partisanship during election time. Even though newspapers use their editorial voice to opine on a wide range of issues, far fewer studies have measured editorial opinion outside of elections and on topics other than politics. Hallock’s historical analysis of U.S. editorials from the late 1700s to mid-1900s found that editorials were published on a vast range of topics “all in the higher cause of American nationalism and culture” (Hallock, 2007 , p. 33). The following selection of studies is referenced to indicate the range of topics newspapers have chosen to take stances on. Content analyses of editorials that go beyond simple measurements of partisanship include one of the first articles to systematically analyze editorial content that looked at the elite orientations of U.K. newspapers (Namenwirth, 1969 ), specific issues such as vice presidential and presidential campaigns, (Blankenship, Mendez-Mendez, Guen Kang, & Giodano, 1986 ; Myers, 1982 ), the deregulation of broadcasting (Pratte & Whiting, 1986 ), and the Japanese-American relocation during the Second World War in 1942 (Chiasson, 1991 ). Studies have been made of editorial framing of issues in the U.S. press relating to race (Hannah & Gandy, 2000 ; Richardson & Lancendorfer, 2004 ), the war in Afghanistan (Ryan, 2004 ), and the medical marijuana debate (Golan, 2010 ). Analyses of the editorial framing of issues in Europe include a seven-country comparison of the communication of the European Union (EU) (Pfetsch, Adam, & Eschner, 2010 ) and analyses of opinions of the U.K. press toward the EU (Firmstone, 2009 , 2016 ).

Editorials as Texts—Persuasive Style and Content

The persuasive style and content of editorials has been evaluated by scholars to varying degrees of sophistication using a range of analytical approaches including historical, content, framing and discourse analysis. Historical analyses show that the agenda and style of U.S. editorial journalism is “heavy on politics, frequently strong in emotion and language” (Hallock, 2007 , p. 41). A U.K. journalist is quoted in Liddle’s historical account as saying “I may now have it now in my power to instil the most pernicious opinions on almost any subject, into the minds of three millions of human beings” (Liddle, 1999 , p. 2). Editorial styles in the U.S. press from 1965–1985 showed a trend toward more forceful editorials which “were taking stands, employing opinion or opinion in conjunction with information in their leads and expressing reactions or calls for action in their endings” (Hynds, 1990 , p. 311). Editorial journalism demands a distinctive writing style that differs greatly from news reporting. A Pulitzer Prize–winning editorial writer advocated a successful formula to attract readers to editorials: “Report thoroughly, think clearly, write gracefully. Be passionate in your beliefs. Be persuasive in your writing” (Gartner, 2005 ). In direct contrast to most other forms of journalism, subjectivity and opinion is not only permitted in editorials—it is expected.

Editorials are discursively structured in such a way that makes it possible to identify four key elements of framing, defined by Entman ( 1993 ) and Nelson, Clawson, and Oxley ( 1997 ): the positions or judgments that newspapers take on issues (position); the way the issue is defined as a problem and the consequences of the problem (problem definition); the agents that are identified as being responsible for or causing the problem (cause); the evaluations that are given for how the problem should be treated or remedied (treatment recommendation). Evaluating editorials in the British press using this method provided evidence that editorials are written to attempt to influence politics either indirectly, through reaching public opinion, or directly, by targeting opinions directly at politicians (Firmstone, 2009 , 2007 ). Another approach based on “political claims-making” (Koopmans & Statham, 1999 ) treats an editorial as a claim or “an instance of strategic action in the public sphere” and sees editorials as structured around demands addressed to actors or institutions, who are criticized or supported in the interests of an actor in an argumentative framing (Pfetsch, Adam, & Berkel, 2008 ; Pfetsch et al., 2010 ). Editorial pages have also been the subject of a number of discourse analyses grounded in the study of linguistics. However, with the exception of Van Dijk, few discourse studies are concerned with the dynamics of editorials as journalism or as indicators of the relationship between the press and politics. Van Dijk established a model of the argumentation style of editorials, showing they are discursively constructed to intervene in public deliberation. Editorials feature three categories: (1) defining and subjectively summarizing the situation, (2) providing an evaluation of the event or issue, (3) concluding with recommendations and expectations for solutions directed at news actors (Van Dijk, 1992 , p. 244). Most recently, a “tenacity” scoring system has been developed to measure the attention-seeking features of editorial techniques that are employed to promote editorial opinions beyond the usual text-based editorial columns (Firmstone, 2016 , 2017 ).

What Makes Editorial Journalism Unique?

The norms of professional journalism limit the intentional expression of opinions to a handful of formats published separately from news. These include comment and analysis articles (known as op-eds in the United States), letters to the editor, columns, and editorial articles. Here it is important to make a further distinction beyond the dichotomy of fact-based reporting versus opinion pieces, to explain what makes editorial journalism unique. Editorials are a distinctive format because they are the only place in a newspaper where the views of the newspaper as an organization are represented. In practice, editorials reflect the views of a small and specialist group of journalists who are included in discussions about the newspaper’s editorial line, rather than any kind of consultative process with the whole staff (see “ Routines for Issue Selection, Deciding the Agenda, and the Line and Tone of Editorial Opinion ”). In addition, editorials are the principal format for the expression of a newspaper’s partisan views. In contrast, opinions in comment and analysis pieces represent the views of individual journalists or guest commentators and fulfill different objectives. Editorials are therefore the most reliable way of measuring the collective opinion of a newspaper as an entity. Understanding the opinions of newspapers as institutions or organizations as distinct from the opinions of individual journalists is considered important by scholars who are interested in the relationship between the press and politics.

Editorials and Other Forms of Opinion Journalism

Editorial journalism can be located as a specific form of journalistic practice by considering its relationship with two other types of opinion journalism: advocacy and campaign journalism. Advocacy journalism encompasses “a broad church of subjective forms of reporting that promote social issues and causes, such as ‘muckraking’, ‘crusading’, ‘alternative’, ‘activist’, ‘peace journalism’, ‘civic’ advocacy journalism and ‘interpretive’ journalism” (Fisher, 2016 , p. 714). Some definitions of advocacy journalism also include editorial comment (Anderson, Downie, Jr., & Schudson, 2016 ). Historical accounts of the development of advocacy journalism describe the introduction of editorials as a distinct format as a response to the need to keep advocacy journalism away from objectivity-driven journalism (Waisbord, 2009 ). Although editorial journalism can be considered as a specific form of advocacy journalism, it is rarely theorized or empirically researched as such. Historically, editorial and advocacy journalism share an ethos for journalism that endeavors to effect social or political change, yet editorial journalism is distinctive from other advocacy journalism practices in significant ways. Advocacy journalists make choices as individuals to attempt to effect social change on behalf of the causes they support, in contrast to the broader, collective aims of editorial writing. Editorial journalism is the result of a shared decision-making process and reflects the partisanship and position of a newspaper, not those of an individual. Advocacy journalism is adopted by journalists who reject the pursuit of objectivity in news reporting as unrealistic. In the specific role of editorial writing, journalists do not struggle to reconcile the two opposing professional values of gatekeeper and advocate identified by Janowitz in his seminal discussion of advocacy journalism (Janowitz, 1975 ). The explicit purpose and unique identity of editorial journalism distances it from common critiques of individuals who practice advocacy journalism. In contrast, critiques of editorials focus more on how proprietors and newspapers use editorials to influence public opinion and the political process.

Editorials are an integral part of the campaign journalism practiced by some newspapers. Campaign journalism is distinct from other forms of journalism, including advocacy journalism, because it aims to influence politicians rather than inform voters, and claims to advocate in the interest of the public and/or to represent public opinion (Birks, 2010 ). Other definitions highlight the close connection between editorial journalism and campaigns in stating that campaigns are a result of a conscious editorial decision on behalf of a newspaper to intervene in policy debates, with the express intention of effecting change (Firmstone, 2008 ; Howarth, 2012 ). Campaign journalism typically involves newspapers publishing a series of campaign-branded news articles and editorials over a sustained period of time. As with editorials, the partisan nature of campaign journalism is defended against accusations of bias because it is explicitly labeled as such. It is distinguishable from “straight” news. Editorial journalism can therefore be defined as the practice of journalists who produce editorial articles that represent the collective opinion of a newspaper. This entry focuses narrowly on editorial journalism as distinct from other forms of opinion journalism.

The Significance of Editorial Journalism: Persuasive Power

The significance of editorial journalism is rooted in theories about the democratic role of newspapers and the persuasive power of the news media. Concerns about concentration of ownership, close relationships between proprietors and political elites, and the degree of political parallelism between newspapers and political parties makes newspapers an important focus for anyone interested in the role of the media in democracy. In the context of this potential persuasive power, the content produced by editorial journalists has featured most commonly in political communications research. Rooted in the effects tradition, researchers have attributed an important role to editorials in informing and shaping debate in the public sphere in four ways: (1) as an influence on readers, voters, and/or public opinion; (2) as an influence on the internal news agendas and coverage of newspapers; (3) as an influence on the agendas and coverage in other news media; (4) as an influence on political or policy agendas. Aside from these roles, the field of discourse analysis considers that editorials should be read for signs of their broader political and sociocultural function. Van Dijk argues that analyses of the argumentative structure and strategies in editorials can reveal the underlying ideologies of newspapers and the journalists who write them (Van Dijk, 1992 ). He sees editorials as “the manifestation of evaluative beliefs of newspaper editors” (Van Dijk, 1995 , p. 1).

Despite the heterogeneous nature of journalism, studies of its consequences for the construction of public knowledge and its impact on the political process rarely distinguish between different journalistic roles and news formats. What follows therefore focuses as much as is possible on evidence relating specifically to editorial journalism, but necessarily refers to political journalism more broadly at times.

Influence on Readers, Voters, and Public Opinion

Newspapers make their own decisions on what issues should be selected for debate and provide their own opinion in editorials. They are not required to report on the agendas and opinions of other actors, as in news reports. By selecting and presenting issues according to their own agenda, newspapers are able to take on an active role in public deliberations of political issues. McCombs states, “Resting on the assumption that the news media are a special kind of public institution – an institution that represents the public interest vis-à-vis the government – investigative reporting and editorial campaigns actively seek to move issues onto the public agenda” (McCombs, 1997 , p. 438).

The question of whether and how newspapers’ editorial opinions influence public opinion is complex and contentious. As with the broader question of media influence and the effects tradition, researchers have struggled to find methods and contexts that can conclusively prove a causal relationship (McDonald Ladd & Lenz, 2009 ). Research design and methodological limitations mean that interpreting the relationship between newspapers’ political opinions and those of its readers is problematic. Only a small body of research has narrowed the search for media effects to exploring the relationship between editorials and public opinion. This research concentrates on editorial coverage during elections and more specifically on the relationship between editorial endorsements of parties or candidates and voting behavior. It is also highly concentrated on the U.S. media and on “quality” papers. The evidence is mixed (McDonald Ladd & Lenz, 2009 ). Some have found that endorsements have little or no effect (Norris, 1999 ), and others suggest they only affect readers who are less engaged in politics (Hagen & Jamieson, 2000 ). Such findings are in line with overall thinking, which attributes a greater influence to the media when readers are not well informed about an issue (see Iyengar, 1991 ; Kahneman & Tversky, 1984 ; Zaller, 1992 ; Zucker, 1978 ).

In a study that claimed to overcome the multiple methodological problems that limit the strength of previous findings, McDonald Ladd and Lenz ( 2009 ) profess to provide “rare evidence that the news media exert a strong influence on mass political behavior” (McDonald Ladd & Lenz, 2009 , p. 405). Examining U.K. newspaper coverage at a time when several newspapers uncharacteristically switched their partisanship ( 1997 ), they found a persuasive effect of endorsements and slant on between 10% and 25% of readers. Two studies of senatorial campaigns in the United States claim similarly strong evidence of the effects of editorial endorsements on readers (Druckman & Parkin, 2005 ; Kahn & Kenney, 2002 ). Endorsements affect citizens’ preferences, particularly those who read daily, and incumbent candidates supported by editorial coverage were more successful than non-endorsed candidates with readers (Kahn & Kenney, 2002 ). Although they caution that their findings may not be generalizable, Druckman and Parkin ( 2005 ) found “concrete evidence that relative editorial slant can influence voters” (Druckman & Parkin, 2005 , p. 1047).

Outside the effects tradition, very little is known about the readership of editorials. Prior to the ability to measure audience metrics digitally, the industry relied on surveys to measure the popularity of editorials and the demographics of their readership. In the 1990s, these indicated that editorial pages were popular and read by over 60% of newspaper readers (Hallock, 2007 ). It is claimed that editorials are most popular with older readers and elites (Hallock, 2007 ), which confirms their potential to influence policymakers and elites. Others admit that editorial “influence is difficult to document” (Hynds, 1990 , p. 441). Having outlined how editorials influence readers, we now consider two main ways that editorial opinion can exert an influence beyond its readers: intra-media and inter-media agenda setting.

Influence on Newspapers’ Internal News Agendas and Other Coverage

It has long been argued that, regardless of whether or not the relationship is intentional, the editorial column sets the tone for the rest of the newspaper (Page, 1996b ; Rowse, 1957 ). Interviews with journalists indicate that journalists’ production of news is shaped by positions and opinions given in their newspaper’s editorials (Baisnée, 2002 ; Firmstone, 2009 ; Morgan, 1995 ). Only a handful of scholars have analyzed content to explore the relationship, known as intra-media agenda setting, between editorial views and news coverage within the same newspaper (Kahn & Kenney, 2002 ).

The search for similarities in agendas and tone or slant relates to two concerns. The first of these is that opinion and/or bias seeps into other areas of newspaper coverage that, depending on journalistic norms, are expected to be objective and impartial. If the press claims to be an objective source of straight information, then any straying into bias is seen as problematic (Druckman & Parkin, 2005 ). Several studies in the United States provide strong evidence that coverage of electoral campaigns, including the tone, the level of criticism, and support for candidates, is affected by editorial positions (Druckman & Parkin, 2005 ; Kahn & Kenney, 2002 ). In contrast to the overt bias associated with European press journalism, readers of the U.S. press expect news coverage to be impartial and free from opinion. Based on claims that voters are influenced by coverage about electoral candidates, concerns have been raised about the potential effect of “hidden bias” in coverage that reflects the editorial positions of newspapers (Kahn & Kenney, 2002 ).

The second area of research critiquing the influence of editorial opinion on news coverage extends these concerns to the principle of internal plurality. Although newspapers in the United States are permitted to provide an opinion in editorials, professional norms expect the rest of the newspaper to display a plurality of voices and views. Several studies demonstrate that op-eds replicate the opinions offered in editorials (Golan & Lukito, 2015 ). The concern is that such mimicry reinforces the editorial views of the newspaper rather than providing readers with a diversity of opinions. Homogeneity in the views and opinions offered within a newspaper prevents readers accessing the information necessary for them to consider an issue from a variety of perspectives. This limits the potential for op-eds to perform a democratic role. The separation of fact from opinion is less formalized in the European press, with a “blurry” line between editorials and news during elections (McDonald Ladd & Lenz, 2009 ). Such blurring of boundaries is, however, contentious. For example, a recent analysis showed a strong relationship between newspapers’ opinions and critical news reports about the opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn during the 2017 U.K. election. Claiming that the “clear distinction between comment, conjecture and fact” required by the IPSO editorial guidelines had been ignored, the study concluded that the British press acted in “radical insularity . . . for the ethical, political and social responsibilities of journalists in a democracy” (Cammaerts, Decillia, & Magalhães, 2018 ).

The Influence of Editorials on Other News Media, Political Elites, and Policymakers

A less direct yet important way that editorial opinions influence debate in the public sphere is when issues or opinions from editorials feature in the coverage of other news media. Advancing the original theory of agenda setting, inter-media agenda setting refers to the influence that newspapers can have beyond their own readers by shaping the agenda of other media outlets (McCombs, 2005 ). Although they rarely distinguish between editorial and news content, studies of press agendas describe inter-media agenda setting operating in two ways that are applicable to editorials.

First, journalists at rival news organizations take newspapers’ agendas as cues for story selection. Using one another as sources, the news media literally “look over their shoulders” at one another (McCombs, 2004 ). Studies grounded in this comparatively under-researched branch of agenda setting have consistently identified a strong relationship between issues covered by newspapers and the news agendas of television and radio news (Golan, 2006 ). The influence of newspapers on television news agendas is stronger than the other way around (Golan, 2006 ; Vliegenthart & Walgrave, 2008 ). In specific relation to opinion, given the open partisanship of the U.K. press, the inter-media agenda-setting power of newspapers, particularly broadsheets, amplifies their opinion-leading role (Cushion, Kilby, Thomas, Morani, & Sambrook, 2018 ). Interviews with journalists confirm that they are motivated to write editorials in response to editorials published by other newspapers (Firmstone, 2008 ).

Second, the reach of editorial opinions is expanded when other news outlets, particularly radio and TV news, repeat newspaper coverage in special features where broadcast journalists review the day’s newspapers. An overarching reason to be concerned about the relationship between editorials and other news is that it might allow partisanship to seep into coverage that would otherwise be impartial. This is particularly the case in the United Kingdom, where a reliance on, or repetition of, coverage from the disproportionately right-wing U.K. press is thought to threaten the impartiality of broadcast news, with clear “ideological implications” (Cushion et al., 2018 ; Renton & Scholsberg, 2017 ).

The fourth and final influence ascribed to editorials relates to elite opinion. According to British journalists, politicians monitor editorials and sometimes contact journalists about the opinions voiced in them (Firmstone, 2008 ). Although the fact that newspapers’ comments are “received” by political actors does not establish that newspapers influence the actions of policymakers, it suggests that newspapers’ editorial agendas are “heard” by key influencers. Writing about news in general, scholars have long claimed that newspapers play a role as opinion leaders for politicians and political elites, and are influential because they are used by politicians as an indicator of public opinion (Cohen, 1983 ; Linsky, 1986 ).

Newspapers as Independent Political Actors

Although theories of the power of the press have paid limited attention to the specific function of editorial opinion, a relatively new strand of research in political communication illustrates the significance of newspapers’ editorial opinions. Highlighting the persuasive and evaluative functions of the media, scholars have recently drawn attention to the independent role of newspapers in providing opinion and pushing issues onto the agenda (Gurevitch & Blumler, 1990 ; Eilders, 1997 , 2000 , 2002 ; Firmstone, 2008 , 2016 ; McCombs, 1997 , Page, 1996a ; Pfetsch et al., 2010 ; Price, 1992 ; Statham, 2007 ). Eilders argues that through interpretative, evaluative, and potentially persuasive content, the media provide orientation to the process of opinion formation by making judgments regarding policy, political actors, and political decisions (Eilders, 2000 ). Scholars suggest that newspapers should be considered as independent political actors who can legitimately use their right to express their view in the public sphere to pursue their own political interests and goals.

In a seminal article, Page suggests that questions regarding “what kinds of media act in this way, under what circumstances, and concerning what issues” remain unanswered (Page, 1996a , p. 23). Theorizing newspapers as active and independent political actors in the political process through their editorial role underpins the need to further research editorial journalism to address questions about the issues newspapers choose to present as important, how newspapers present their evaluation of issues, and what influences newspapers’ opinions.

What Shapes Newspapers’ Editorial Positions?

Despite the potentially powerful influence of editorial journalism on public opinion and the democratic process, sociological research into the factors that influence newspapers’ editorial opinions remains scarce (Firmstone, 2008 ). For example, much critique of the opinion-leading role of the British Eurosceptic press is based on suppositions deduced from the content of news coverage and tends to point to the fairly obvious input of proprietors as the most significant determinants of such coverage (Firmstone, 2008 ). Studies of journalism to date provide little empirical evidence relating to the specialist journalistic activity of producing editorial opinion. Organizational studies of journalism have concentrated on front-line reporters, with the result that little is known about the interactions between editorial and higher level journalists (Firmstone, 2009 ; Reese, 1991 ; Schudson, 2000 ). Although scholars have established that news values are a central organizing concept of news production routines (Galtung & Ruge, 1965 ; Harcup & O’Neill, 2017 ) and professional journalistic roles (Hallin & Mancini, 2004 ; Tumber & Prentoulis, 2005 ), they have not yet investigated the concepts that shape the routine production of editorial content. Similarly, organizational policies are known to play an important role in shaping news reporting (Gans, 1979 ; Soloski, 1989 ), but we have little understanding of how journalists interpret editorial policies in relation to editorial journalism. These gaps have only been partially addressed by a handful of relatively recent empirical studies using interviews with editorial journalists in the United Kingdom (Firmstone, 2007 , 2008 , 2009 ) and the United States (Hallock, 2007 ), a comparative study based on interviews with a range of journalists including leader writers in seven European countries (Statham, 2007 ), and an ethnography of U.S. editorial boards (Meltzer, 2007 ). Some of the most important questions asked about editorial journalism relate to the factors that shape editorial opinions. Price suggests that the “activist role of the media, especially newspapers, ensures continuing concern over possible biases in news and editorial practices, owing to the political leanings of network executives, publishers, producers, or rank-and-file journalists” (Price, 1992 , p. 82).

Routines for Issue Selection, Deciding the Agenda, and the Line and Tone of Editorial Opinion

In contrast to news values, very little is known about the selection criteria routinely applied in editorial journalism. A sociological analysis of editorial journalism in the United Kingdom identified four editorial values that guided the selection of issues for comment: (1) assessment of news values (topicality), (2) level of editorial importance, (3) impact on readers and the United Kingdom, and (4) salience in the wider media debate (Firmstone, 2008 , 2009 ). Judgments regarding the topicality of an issue are based on common journalistic perceptions of news values. The level of editorial importance of an issue is determined by four organizational specific circumstances: (1) the collective interest of the leader-writing group, (2) the interests of individual journalists within the group, (3) the interests of the editor, and (4) editorial policies such as relationship to the paper’s marketing strategy and campaigning policies. This leads us to the organizational structures of editorial journalism.

Day-to-day decisions about issue selection and the line to be taken are made at daily meetings known as leader conferences in the United Kingdom and editorial boards in the United States. The practice of editorial writing has evolved from being the domain of a single owner or an individual journalist who wrote everything in a very small paper to the current situation where opinions are reached by consensus in editorials boards (Hallock, 2007 ). Editorial boards, which include the editor, publisher, and other newspaper executives, discuss and debate issues in daily meetings until a consensus representing the institutional agenda of the paper is reached. Although the editor makes the final decision, decisions are reached through a consultative process in the leader conference at the vast majority of British newspapers. However, there are significant variations between national newspapers in terms of how well defined and known the “line” of a newspaper is on any given issue, how democratic the collective editorial decision-making process is, and consensus on the issue within the team (Firmstone, 2008 ).

Partisanship as expressed in editorials—specifically, support for parties at election time—is strongly dependent on historical ties to political parties and traditional alignments. It is rare for newspapers to break with tradition to declare support for a different political party. Newspapers base editorial positions regarding social and political issues on their traditional partisan stance, but some questions about contentious topics that cause division within political parties require internal debate (Firmstone, 2008 ; Funt, 2017 ). For example, debates over Britain’s membership of the EU did not fall neatly into the traditional partisan divisions of left and right. Many editorial boards deliberated about endorsing Donald Trump despite their historical Republican allegiances (Funt, 2017 ).

The Influence of Proprietors, Ownership, and Editors

A contested point is the extent to which editorial columns represent the voice of a newspaper in the interests of its readers or whether this public voice is expressed more in the interests of the proprietor and/or individual journalists (including editors) who wish to influence readers or political elites. The evidence suggests a mixed picture, with owners and proprietors having a strong influence over the direction of partisanship, but less impact on how that opinion is expressed. The most significant changes in the direction of newspapers’ editorial lines and partisanship usually occur as a result of a change in ownership . However, a change in ownership does not always result in changes to the editorial policy of the paper, especially when such changes may alienate readers. Editorials at newspapers serving local communities in the United States were described as serving a community’s conscience by setting its priorities and serving as a community sounding board (Hallock, 2007 ). In some cases, specifically the contentious issue of the EU, the editorial importance of an issue to a newspaper was seen to override considerations of the perceived level of interest among readers (Firmstone, 2009 ). Candidate endorsements may reflect the opinion of the proprietor, whether an individual or a corporate entity, the editor, an individual editorial writer, or a collective decision of an editorial board (Firmstone, 2008 ; Funt, 2017 ). Journalists admit that proprietors often take an interest in editorial opinions, but they commonly report that such influence never results in significant changes to the overall message of an editorial (Firmstone, 2008 ; Funt, 2017 ). Much research in the 1980s in North America centered on concerns that the increasing concentration of ownership of newspapers by corporate “chains” would lead to a reduced diversity of editorial opinions and to less vigorously politically engaged editorials because of fears about offending readers and advertisers (Demers, 1996 , 1998 ; Lacy, 1991 ; Thrift, 1977 ). This so-called editorial vigor hypothesis was largely disproved with studies finding no relationship between editorial page content and chain ownership (Demers, 1996 , p. 870).

A study of the influential role of other factors on opinion, such as individuals and the implications of organizational routines, has questioned the accuracy of assuming that the editorial opinions of the British press are simply explained by the influence of proprietors (Firmstone, 2008 ). Aside from decisions about the overall position of a newspaper, proprietorial influence is minimal and does not account for the way that editorials are written. For instance, the study found no evidence of any direct influence of proprietors in the selection of issues for comment, the range of issues commented on, and the way in which issues were framed nationally or otherwise. On the specific topic of Europe, Statham’s comparative study concluded that, with the exception of one paper in the United Kingdom, journalists did not consider the political stance of proprietors to be more of a consideration when commenting on Europe than when commenting on other issues (Statham, 2007 , p. 470). Key journalists at some newspapers may have an equal or greater influence on editorial opinions than proprietors (Firmstone, 2008 ). Certainly, in the day-to-day production of opinion, individual journalists have greater opportunities to directly shape newspapers’ opinions than is attributed to them by studies of news production. Although news production studies see individuals as “replaceable cogs in the wheel” and suggest that “news changes very little when the individuals who make it are changed” (Golding & Elliot, 1979 , p. 209), the opposite is true of editorial journalism (Firmstone, 2008 ). Moreover, in cases where newspapers’ attempts to influence are part of focused editorial campaigns, individual journalists can be pivotal in formulating the subject and the style of campaigning policy (Firmstone, 2008 ). With specific regard to the influence of editors, a content analysis of editorials at one U.S. newspaper under three different editors concluded that “the geographical and persuasive positions of a newspaper’s editorials change considerably with each new editor, even though subject areas from editor to editor may receive the same priority” (Windhauser, Norton, & Rhodes, 1983 , p. 583).

Editorial Journalism and Diversity

Although there are few studies that consider the backgrounds of editorial writers separately from other journalists, there are strong indications that editorial journalism lacks diversity and gender equality. The anonymous nature of editorial columns (in most countries) removes the possibility of attributing gender, or indeed any other individual trait. All editorial journalists interviewed for a study of the British national press were male, white, and predominantly senior (Firmstone, 2008 , 2009 ). Editorial boards in the United States are male dominated, with few coming from ethnic minority backgrounds (Harp, Bachmann, & Locke, 2014 ), and have been described as “cantankerous males of fairly mature years” (Duff, 2008 , p. 232). Given that the personal attitudes and values of journalists significantly influence newspapers’ opinion leading (Firmstone, 2008 ), it is concerning that editorial journalism is a male-dominated domain. In a discourse analysis of editorials about race, Van Dijk argued that the dominance of white, male, middle-class leader writers results in the reproduction and legitimization of their dominance of in society (Van Dijk, 1992 ).

Discussion of the Literature

As is clear from this entry, the investigation of editorial journalism as a distinctive practice has been largely overlooked and conflated with broader studies of news and journalism. In the historiography of research about editorials, relatively small pockets of research have focused on the editorial function of newspapers along three parallel trajectories. First, based on the assumptions of media effects theories about the potential consequences of editorials for public knowledge and democratic processes, research has been heavily skewed toward measurements and analyses of the content of editorial articles. Within this trajectory, there has been a strong contribution from political communications scholars on the effects of editorial endorsements of candidates and parties at election time. Although editorials routinely engage in debates that encompass a far wider range of political and social issues, far fewer studies have analyzed editorial opinion outside of election periods.

Ongoing normative questions about the role and performance of the press have also motivated research that analyzes content to evaluate the relationship between editorial opinion, bias, and objective reporting. A second content trajectory rooted in the tradition of discourse analysis has singled out editorial articles as having a unique argumentation structure Van Dijk ( 1992 ). The majority of discourse studies have analyzed the language and semantics of editorials with the aim of understanding the way a specific issue has been communicated. Others have analyzed the structure of editorials as a text and as a series of interactions between the writer and the reader (Bolívar, 1994 ), as an assessment of the rhetorical structure. See Le ( 2010 ) for a useful overview of linguistic studies. Third, a relatively small body of journalism studies research has focused on the routines, practices, and role orientations of editorial journalists and newspaper editorial boards. It is notable that, with two exceptions (Firmstone, 2008 , 2009 ; Hallock, 2007 ), empirical analyses have analyzed either editorial content or investigated editorial practices, not both. Perhaps more importantly, aside from attempts to measure the relationship between readership of specific newspapers and voting preferences, the audiences of editorials have been entirely neglected. In addition to scholarly approaches, insights into the world of editorial journalism from the perspective of industry commentators and in the memoirs of veteran editorial journalists also provide valuable understanding (Funt, 2017 ; Gartner, 2005 ; Hynds, 1990 , 1995 ).

Despite following different trajectories, existing research arrives at a shared point of departure for the future. Editorial journalism as a distinct and potentially powerful genre and practice merits far more attention than it has received to date. In particular, theorizing newspapers as active and independent political actors underpins the need for further research into editorial journalism (Firmstone, 2009 ). In addition, sociological research including ethnography, interviews, and participant observation is needed to find out more about the practice of editorial journalism and influences on editorial opinions (Firmstone, 2008 ). More qualitative research is needed to look beyond newspapers’ editorial agendas and the salience of issues in order to understand the decisions behind such choices. Understanding is severely limited to the U.S. context. Future research must expand our understanding of editorial journalism into different journalistic cultures and media systems, and perhaps most urgently, pursue a de-Westernization agenda.

Finally, the rise of online news media requires a broadening of the current research agenda in three main directions. First, editorial opinion emerged as a specific role assumed by newspapers in the media systems of liberal democracies. Its practice continues to be shaped by this history as well as regulatory contexts. Professional norms and regulations for the relationship between editorial opinion and news at net native news organizations are under development. Future research should shine light on how net native news organizations and regulatory policies develop in response to age-old questions about objectivity, bias, and partisanship. Second, as has already begun, inter-media agenda-setting studies should expand to include the relationship between newspapers’ editorial opinions and news in the networked news media ecology. Early research suggests that partisan online media may be replacing newspapers as agenda setters for the mainstream media (Meraz, 2011 ), with others finding a continuing dominance of mainstream media (Rogstad, 2016 ; Sjøvaag, Stavelin, Karlsson, & Kammer, 2018 ). Third, the digital flattening out of the once distinctive physical geographies used to separate fact from opinion in newspapers raises a host of questions about how the opinion-leading role of legacy newspapers will operate in future online news environments.

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1. Note that the details about specific countries were obtained from a quick survey of academic colleagues around the world rather than substantial research so should be treated as indicative rather than decisive. These initial insights into country level variations are intended to show that editorial practices are far from uniform.

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How to write an editorial, in 6 steps.

An editorial is an opinion-driven piece that brings awareness to current events or topics of importance. Here’s what to include.

How to Write an Editorial, in 6 Steps

Editorials assert an opinion or perspective using journalistic principles.

If you have a strong opinion about a topic, knowing how to write an editorial essay can help you land more media visibility and readership.

Editorial writing is when a columnist, journalist, or citizen submits an opinion-based article to a media outlet. A good editorial will be measured and fair; it will make a clear argument with an end goal to persuade readers, raise awareness on a particular issue, or both. Editorials give people a chance to present a supporting or opposing view on a topical issue, and they’re usually formatted as first-person essays.

Opinion editorials (Op-eds) can be a great way to land a byline or full article with a media publication. It can let you assert a stance more powerfully than you would in a quotation or interview.

Key Takeaways

  • Also known as an opinion piece, an editorial asserts an author’s position, and often tackles recent events.
  • Newspapers have allocated space for editorials from readers for years. The opinion-editorial section is sometimes abbreviated as “op-ed.”
  • Editorials are written in first person, from the perspective of the writer, but they should still lean on credible sources.
  • Readers should also know how the writer or organization reconciles apparently conflicting positions. True editorial coverage is earned, not purchased.

In this article, we’ll touch on what an editorial piece actually is, along with examples of editorial structure to help you organize your thoughts as you're brainstorming ideas.

What is Editorial Writing?

Every strong editorial has, at its core, a thought-provoking statement or call to action. Editorial writers formulate viewpoints based on experience, supporting evidence, objective analysis, and/or opinion.

Editorials perform very well online. These days, readers don’t always want information alone. They also want interpretation or analysis, whether that be through a newspaper article, a thesis statement, a newsletter , or an opinionated news story. Editorials are powerful, but they are also often biased.

Here's an example of an editorial I wrote recently for Fortune Magazine . This section of Fortune is called Commentary, and it publishes one to two pieces a day from non-staff writers on a variety of business topics.

screenshot of how to write an editorial for fortune

The specifics of this pitch are detailed in my “Pitching Publications 101” workshop.

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Many media outlets rotate in opinion columnists to offer unique perspectives on a regular basis. Here’s a screenshot from The Washington Post opinion page ; the paper has over 80 opinion columnists, who write regularly about topics like policy, health, and climate change.

screenshot of the washington post with headlines from different opinion columnists

Large media publications usually have a separate section for opinion and commentary.

What Is an Editorial Board?

In contrast, you may have seen a newspaper or media publication release a statement from its editorial board. The editorial board consists of the publication’s editors, who together release a joint statement about a certain topic.

Examples of editorial topics include:

  • An editorial board endorsing a local politician in a forthcoming election.
  • Commentary on issues of local importance.
  • Scientists announcing a newly published research paper that has mainstream relevance.
  • Perspectives from citizens who come from various walks of life.
  • Submitted opinion pieces in school newspapers or academic journals.

Good Examples of Published Editorials

The best way to get a feel for writing editorials is to see some effective editorial examples in action.

The Los Angeles Times and 70+ other newspapers condemned the actions of Scott Adams, the illustrator behind Dilbert cartoons. Since the cartoons were scheduled to run in the paper for a few more weeks, the editorial board released a statement updating readers on their decision to pull the cartoon, along with what next steps would be taken.

statement from the los angeles times editorial board

Many editorials are written by celebrities or public figures as a way to create awareness or touch on a controversial subject. Chrissy Teigen published an editorial on Medium about her miscarriage. Medium is an open-source publishing platform that many personalities use to make independent op-ed statements publicly.

screenshot of a post on medium

A peer of mine, Zach McKenzie, wrote an editorial on the lack of sober queer spaces in Houston, America’s fourth-largest city. He pitched it to the Houston Chronicle, and an editor accepted and published his opinion piece.

screenshot of the title of a houston chronicle article

He later became a freelance writer for the paper. Since you'll often work with an editor on your editorial, this could open doors for freelance opportunities.

Editorials can also refute other editorials. These are sometimes formatted as letters to the editor instead. In 2011, Martin Lindstrom published an op-ed with The New York Times entitled “You Love Your iPhone. Literally” , which asserted that neuroimaging showed we feel human love for our smartphones. A response letter signed by a total of 45 neuroscientists was sent to the Times condemning the op-ed as scientifically inaccurate.

Types of Editorials

Editorials typically fall into one of four categories: explanation, criticism, persuasive essay, or praise.

No. 1: Explanation or Interpretation

Not all editorials have to be about controversial topics. Editorials written by a board or an organization might simply summarize main points of new research or a recent decision.

No. 2: Criticism

Criticism is by far the most popular type of editorial, because, well, we love the drama! 🍿

Opinion editorial usually disagrees with the status quo on a given topic, but does so in a well-researched way. An opinion editor will do more than simply fix grammatical errors; they often guide the contributor through the writing process and reinforce good editorial style.

No. 3: Persuasive Essay

Technically, an editorial can also simply be a persuasive essay, written in first person. As long as the main point has a good chance at catching a reader’s attention, editors will be interested in the piece.

No. 4: Praise

Sometimes, an opinion piece actually agrees with the status quo or current news angle, although these pieces are less common.

How to Write an Editorial in 6 Steps

  • Pick a topic that has mainstream appeal.
  • Lead with a summary of your opinion.
  • State the facts.
  • Summarize the opposition’s position.
  • Refute the opposition.
  • Offer readers a solution or reframe.

Step 1: Pick a Topic That Has Mainstream Appeal

If you want your essay to be published in a news outlet, it has to be, well, news!

Connect your thesis statement to a current event. Your topic should be one that the majority of the public can understand or relate with. Remember: Business is niche, media is broad. Make it mainstream.

Step 2: Lead With a Summary of Your Opinion

Editorial format usually opens with a summary of your thesis statement and/or new ideas in the first paragraph. In journalism, this section is known as the lede —part of the “inverted pyramid” writing process —and it’s the most important section of your article.

Remember, if readers can’t get oriented and understand your own opinion within the first few sentences, they’ll leave.

Related: How to Write a News Lead

Step 3: State the Facts

One detail any writers miss regarding how to write an editorial is giving sufficient background information. In some ways, you have to operate like a journalist when you begin writing editorials. Collect facts and outline the main points for your reader so they grasp the issue at hand.

Step 4: Summarize the Opposition’s Position

Good editorial presents both sides of the story. Even though this is an opinion-based essay, you want your editorial format to acknowledge common counter arguments.

Step 5: Refute the Opposition

This is the fun part! Use logic and evidence in your writing to reinforce your point. When you cite sources and statistics, your writing will pack more punch.

Step 6: Offer Readers a Solution or Reframe

Lastly, go into a clear conclusion and possible solutions. Don’t just dump an opinion on your reader and then leave them with nothing to do or consider. You’ve persuaded us with a hard-hitting editorial on a topic you feel strongly about—now ask us to do something!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good editorial.

A good editorial will assert a clear and compelling point. The editorial should cite reputable sources in order to form its point, and should address why the opposing viewpoint is misguided.

What Is the Purpose of an Editorial?

An editorial provides contrast to day-to-day journalism with perspectives and commentary on recent events. Editorials are not objective; they are subjective and opinionated by design.

What Are Examples of Editorial Content?

An editorial could be a column in a magazine or newspaper, a public statement, a newsletter, or even a blog post. A letter to the editor is usually not considered an editorial.

Write Your First (or Next) Editorial This Year

You don’t have to be a journalist to pitch and write editorials, but you do have to have a point of view that will capture a reader’s attention. Study the writing process of editorials and you’ll have a better shot at getting your opinions published. ⬥

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Icfj

12 tips for writing editorials

By jennifer anne mitchell dec 5, 2018 in journalism basics.

Thought bubble

Editorials are a staple of traditional publications, and their relevance continues even as more and more publications turn to digital as their primary format.

In an earlier article , IJNet explored the blurring line between fact and opinion online. In the face of these challenges, writing and producing quality editorials is even more important.

IJNet spoke with writers, editors and instructors in four different U.S. cities to collect their tips on writing editorials.

(1) Share your knowledge.

Deborah Douglas is the Pulliam Center’s distinguished visiting professor of journalism at DePauw University and a former editorial board member at the Chicago Sun-Times. Through her work with projects such as the OpEd Project — which aims to get more women and underrepresented voices writing editorials — she encourages people to “show up in the world in a stronger way.” She regularly engages with academics through the Public Voices Fellowships and notices that they tend to limit what they can speak about to their specific area of expertise. In reality, Douglas says, they have other valuable knowledge to share.

Journalists, as educated, informed citizens, can benefit from this reminder, too: the knowledge gained through reporting is a gift and should be shared through platforms like editorials, says Douglas.

(2) Gather multiple perspectives.

When a big news story breaks, Douglas doesn’t only stick to her favorite news sources, she reads papers from across the country to see what they’re saying about it.

Her advice is to get out of your comfort zone by reading national and international reporting to ensure that you’re aware of all perspectives. Listen to, and acknowledge, the opposition in your writing to start a dialogue.

(3) Embrace the digital age.

Douglas also suggests that journalists use social media as a reporting tool — especially older reporters who might be less familiar with the medium. Taking advantage of the ways that social media provides easy access to information is another way to broaden your point of view and ensure that you don’t overlook important information.

(4) Entice readers.

Jay Evensen is a senior editorial columnist at Deseret News in Utah, and an instructor in editorial writing at Brigham Young University. He will be turning sixty soon, and says “it can be intimidating” to navigate the new demands of digital journalism.

Though the rules have changed, enticing the reader has always been an important part of the writing process. Along with social media promotion, he suggests strong basics — including a headline and opening — that draws in readers. Compelling writing is also important.

(5) Remove the fluff.

Evensen also emphasizes that editorial writers must “add something of value in order to be noticed” — and do it clearly.

His paper used to publish what he called “thumb-sucker editorials,” which were more or less heartwarming messages for readers. Evensen’s team has gotten rid of sentimental editorials to focus on delivering new information and new perspectives on the public discussion.

(6) Reach your target audience.

Evensen gave a powerful example of an editorial he wrote that reached “a narrow but very powerful audience.” Salt Lake County, Utah had been considering changing its form of government for over a decade. In 1997, Evensen wrote an editorial that led a lawmaker to finally write a bill to change the governing style.

Evensen’s editorial didn’t go viral, but it certainly made an impact.

Evensen suggests that writers shouldn’t expect fanfare for their pieces, and may be discouraged by the engagement, but they should stay patient for their ideas to actually take root when they fall into the right hands.

(7) Consider the big picture.

In Evensen’s opinion, editorial writing is one of the most important parts of a newspaper because he considers sharing journalists’ knowledge from an institutional voice is “important for our democracy.” His hope is that, despite all the changes in the digital age, strong editorial writing will endure.

(8) Just start writing.

After 12 years as an editor at The Denver Post, Fred Brown now works as an instructor in media ethics at the University of Denver. When writing editorials, he suggests to just start writing your thoughts. Write until you are tired, he says, then look one third of the way through your piece and you’ll find your point.

(9) Kill your darlings.

Brown suggests letting go of the words and phrases that you were dying to see in print. Try erasing those and see if your writing is better without it. More often that not, Brown says, it is.

(10) Engage with your audience.

Matthew Hall , editorial and opinion director at The San Diego Union-Tribune, as well as the national secretary-treasurer of the Society of Professional Journalists, approaches editorials as a direct conversation with the reader.

For him, writing and publishing the piece is just the first step. Then you must share the editorial and ask readers if they have any questions, comments or corrections.

According to Hall, journalism is “all about building a better community [and] improving it somehow.” The benefit of digital news is that it allows you to do it in real time through audience engagement.

(11) Get creative.

With fewer staff and less funding, newsrooms have a harder job attracting readers. Hall and his colleagues at The San Diego Union-Tribune have found success through creative editorials that make a bold statement, such as an article published in April that used the names of people killed in school shootings over the past 19 years to spell out the word “ enough .” It caught people’s attention, and one reader even framed it and put in on their wall.

“If people are talking about it,” Hall said, “that’s my biggest metric [of success].”

(12) Remember the bottom line.

Hall also stated that his team has taken these innovative approaches to editorials because “we need to to survive.” Publications need to generate revenue to stay afloat. These eye-catching pieces are one way to build an audience.

Digital subscribers are also important, and Hall’s publication keeps tabs on what attracts readers. The week before the Nov. 6 election, the top 25 posts resulting in digital subscriptions were opinion pieces or endorsements .

This piece was updated at 11:30 a.m. EST on Dec. 6.

Main image CC-licensed by Pixabay via stux .

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editorial writing is for

Jennifer Anne Mitchell

Jennifer Anne Mitchell  works in media and the arts in Washington, D.C. Her words can be found in Washington City Paper, The DC Line, National Geographic, and Craft Quarterly magazine published by the James Renwick Alliance, affiliated with the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery.

IJNet provides the latest tips, trends and training opportunities in eight languages . Sign up here for our weekly newsletter:

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Carmine Mastropierro

How to write an editorial – step by step guide.

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Trying to write for magazines or other publications and don’t know how to craft an editorial?

No problem .

Today I’m going to show you how to write and format an editorial in a few easy steps.

Editorial writing is very lucrative and fun, making it an awesome avenue for writers.

However, writing editorials that get approved by picky editors can be a whole other ball game.

Follow along as I show you the ropes of editorial writing.

What is an editorial?

First of all, let’s define what an editorial is.

According to Google, it’s:

A newspaper article written by or on behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a topical issue.

It’s typically focused on a trending topic or something relevant to a certain industry.

Since it’s an opinion based piece, it also requires thorough evidence, statistics, and research to make it credible.

You express a specific opinion and viewpoint when writing an editorial that you attempt to persuade readers into believing.

Editorial format

Let’s break down a live editorial to understanding proper formatting.

It all begins with the headline and featured image .

editorial writing is for

I’ll teach you how to write editorial headlines in a moment, but remember it’s the first thing readers see.

That means if your headline stinks, nobody is going to click through to read the article.

Additionally, in the words of Claude Hopkins , “Images are sales people in themselves.”

Depending on the publication you’re writing for, you may or may not have control over the featured image used for the piece.

However, the picture should preferably support and enhance the topic you’re speaking about.

Moving on, a hook and leading paragraph are the next crucial parts of an editorial to nail .

editorial writing is for

The first sentence or paragraph needs to make a bold statement or interesting observation to capture the reader’s attention.

Note how in this Wired article, the writer mentions how the Department of Housing and Urban Development sued Facebook for violating the Fair Housing Act.

That is serious news .

Anyone interested in big data will be hooked into reading the remaining content.

This is why the leading paragraph needs to support the intro with further detail.

Furthermore, clarification may need to be done around some terms and topics if they are complex in nature like so :

editorial writing is for

Since editorials are opinion based, it’s of utmost importance that you mix in your perspective on things, too .

editorial writing is for

Seldom are editorials written in the first person, though.

Instead, write your opinion as if it’s factual information, and back it up with supporting evidence.

For example, the author of this Wired article elaborates on how Facebook’s targeting and audience system has ethical and technical issues.

As regulations tighten up, this is only going to create more problems for them in the future and it’s deserved in a way.

On the flip side, another writer could’ve supported the idea of Facebook’s approach and that would’ve been their opinion .

See where I’m going with this?

You need to choose one side of the story and stick to it all the way through.

Which brings me to the conclusion :

editorial writing is for

It should summarize the main points of the article and end with a thought-provoking statement.

Publications pay close attention to the conclusion because it’s often what spikes engagement such as comments and social shares.

That’s why I recommend putting a solid effort into polishing off your piece before sending it to an editor.

You can take care of most of these processes with a tool like Jasper.ai which you can try for free here . Watch my review to learn more below.

Editorial examples

Here are great examples of editorials you should swipe.

Use them as inspiration for headlines, formatting , voice, and to reference while writing.

New York Times

This is an editorial example from the New York Times on American and Europe’s digital privacy.

Editorial example

It uses a thought-provoking headline by asking the reader a question. An attention-grabbing and unique image is used to accompany the article.

Note the subhead elaborates on the headline and position the author takes.

The editorial begins with background information on Congress questioning tech CEOs on collecting personal information, the vulnerability of American’s, and how little has been done to move forward.

Editorial intro

They also speak about Europe’s solution to online privacy which American congress needs to learn from. This helps readers understand the topic’s context while stating the author’s position.

The body of the editorial uses quotes, examples, and further information to support its main points.

It’s concluded with a summary of the article and what the author believes the next best steps are.

Editorial end

The Washington Post

Here’s an editorial from The Washington Post on Donald Trump’s presidency and if he should be impeached.

Washington Post editorial

The headline is provocative, makes a bold statement, and addresses a specific party (Congress).

The video underneath serves as a featured image and provides more information.

The author, Danielle Allen, immediately states her position that impeachment isn’t just a political question but a legal and moral one as well.

She asks questions to engage the audience and get them thinking.

Danielle elaborates on very specific parts of the Constitution to support her claims about impeachment, how it works, and what it means.

She concludes the editorial by recapping her stance that Congress should audit the president and if he’s committed an impeachable crime according to the books.

Washington Post end

The Huffington Post

Next we have an editorial example from The Huffington Post on climate change.

I love the headline. By not directly saying what the scandal is, it makes you wonder and click the article.

Huff Post

The subhead provides more context and creates a sense of urgency be saying global warming is increasing an billions of people are at risk.

A stage is set in the first couple of paragraphs by elaborating on how there are plans to protect the economy, jobs, but nothing from climate change.

The author cites specific events, summits, data, and findings that all back up their claims that global warming is rising and not enough action is being taken to prevent it.

Note how the last few paragraphs of the editorial focus on what can be done to solve the issue. They present their opinions and ideas which is what editorial style is all about.

How to write an editorial

Now that you understand how editorials are formatted, let’s dive deeper into editorial

Step 1: Find an epic topic to cover

If you want to get accepted by an editor of a publication, your pitch better be really damn good .

They don’t want generic or simple topics, but rather ones that cover a popular subject with your own unique twist.

For example, the Toronto Raptors just won the NBA Finals, so you could write a piece on “What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From The Toronto Raptors Winning The Finals.”

This article could elaborate on how their team’s training style and strategies can be applied to businesses.

It’s a random example but stick with me.

You could also search for keywords through Google News to brainstorm.

Cannabis is really big in Canada with legalization being relatively new, so I searched for that:

editorial writing is for

Based on the first result, you could pitch an article on why you don’t think Ottawa’s legal cannabis edibles are a good decision for the city.

This is what we would call a response post .

It reacts to an existing story and provides another opinion on the matter.

Make sure you read the guidelines for the publication you’re writing for, as they may have restrictions or tips for topics.

Once you have an idea for a topic, consider the audience you’re writing for .

What do they care about? What do they want to learn? What are their demographics?

This will change you write and shape the editorial.

You want it to resonate with the section’s audience as much as possible.

That’s why I suggest reading previous articles and analyzing reader’s engagement.

What do they normally comment on? Do you notice a pattern in how they speak?

Apply these observations to your editorial, and it will resonate with the target audience more.

Lastly, make sure to collect resources, references, and data to support the article.

Continuing off of the cannabis example, you could search for “cannabis stats” and use a couple of the results to back up points you make.

editorial writing is for

Once you’ve done this, you can move onto the next step.

Step 2: Craft a headline that makes BuzzFeed proud

As I mentioned earlier, the headline is what will ultimately attract clicks, so you need to put a lot of energy into writing one.

BuzzFeed has the reputation of being the king of clickbait, but it isn’t a bad thing.

From a writer’s perspective, we can learn a ton about how to write headlines from them.

Just look at their front page:

editorial writing is for

It’s a gold mine for ideas!

Some strategies you can use for headline copywriting include:

  • Explanatory : “George Bush Wears The Latest Yeezy’s to Summit, And We’re Trying to Figure Out Why” is an example of a headline that clearly explains what the article is about. There’s no mystery or questions needed.
  • Bold : Making a bold statement in the headline like “Scientists Find The Link Between Beer and Mortality” compels users to read the editorial to learn more.
  • Question : Some editorial headlines come in the form of a question that resonates with the audience. “Trying to Lose Weight? You Won’t Believe What This Doctor Discovered” is an example.

Step 3: Make the outline

Before you begin writing your award-winning editorial, slow your horses.

Start with an outline. It’s a staple part of forming the editorial structure.

This will speed up the writing process and make your workflow smooth as silk.

An outline should consist of:

  • The headline
  • The introduction and hook
  • Major and minor points

You don’t need to spend a lot of time on the outline, either.

It simply acts as an organized guideline for when you crack your knuckles and begin typing away.

Make sure that you have all of your resources and references opened up or saved, too.

I recommend that you read my two previous articles to speed up your writing process:

  • 8 Insanely Effective Tips on How to Overcome Writer’s Block
  • Writing Process Steps For Producing Incredible Copy

This video will also help you with the writing process.

Step 4: Write that bad boy!

Editorials have an opinion, and that opinion needs to be strong .

That means don’t use passive speak or weak arguments to back up any points.

The idea you’re proposing is the ultimate truth in your eyes, so you have to write in that manner.

If you read a lot of editorials, you will notice that they are written and edited to support a single idea.

Stick with that all the way through until the end.

Take a firm stance on the topic and position. If you ever mention an opposing view, make sure to explain why it isn’t correct. Be confident and use facts to support any claims.

At the same time, I recommend offering new ideas. Say something that hasn’t been said before … discuss a new angle … bring up data most people aren’t aware of. This will make it stand out.

I’m a huge advocate of practical content as well. Editorials are no different.

Don’t just take about an issue or a topic. Talk about how it can be solved and give the reader actionable takeaways. Editorials become much more useful and memorable this way.

Some other editorial writing tips I have:

  • Write several different headline ideas and pick the best one.
  • Edit and proofread the hell out of the article once it’s done. Continually reference the publication’s editorial guidelines to ensure it’s perfect.
  • Share the first draft with other writers, family, and friends to get their opinion.
  • Don’t underestimate the power of sleeping on your writing. You’ll feel refreshed and approach the article with a clear mind the next day.

Who writes editorials?

Editorials are primarily written by writing staff working for magazines, websites, and other publications.

These pieces of content are handed off to an editor who will fix grammar, spelling, flow, mistakes, and other components.

An editor in chief will oversee all of the writers, editors, and staff that play a role in publishing editorials on a regular basis.

You can also be a freelance editorial writer. In this case, you contact out your writing services to many different publications at once.

It’s a great way to earn income and be your own boss. Check out my free courses to learn more.

Why write editorials

So, why should a business write editorials and what are the benefits of doing so?

Firstly, editorials are suitable for any publication that likes to keep their readers informed about recent news and events.

Look at Fortune, Entrepreneur, The LA Times, and similar publications.

They are pushing out content many times per day because there’s a constant flow of news to touch on.

This helps form your business into a thought leader and a trustworthy source of information.

Furthermore, editorials are much shorter in length than other forms of content which makes pumping out many easier.

You will also need a great team of writers and editors if you don’t have already one established.

Hopping on trends and waves will give your publication an immediate spike in traffic which is another benefit of writing editorials.

Similarly, this type of content is easily digestible and commonly shared which creates a viral effect.

Can an editorial be in first person?

Absolutely. You’ll notice that many editorials are written in first person depending on the individual publication and story.

Furthermore, all editorials found in the opinion sections of a publication will be in the first person because they are meant to share personal views.

Look at this editorial from The New York Times, for example.

The New York Times editorial

The very first word is “I.”

Once again, keep in mind that the story being covered will usually decide whether or not a first person perspective is appropriate or not.

Final thoughts on how to write an editorial

Editorials are articles that share news and personal opinions on topics that matter.

They are typically written about current events and subjects that readers are already familiar with.

Every great editorial begins with an eye-catching image and headline, as well. This is the bait that gets the reader into the article.

Then, the first paragraph needs to be easy to read while naturally leading to the rest of the content.

Demystifying complex terms and mixing in your own opinion are two keys to a good editorial. This makes it simpler to understand while unique since nobody has your opinion but you .

Write a clear conclusion that sums up the major points and creates the opportunity for readers to leave their opinion. Remember, news outlets thrive off of engagement.

Still want to learn more? Check out my online courses .

Carmine

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How To Write An Editorial

Barbara P

Learn How to Write an Editorial on Any Topic

13 min read

Published on: Dec 23, 2019

Last updated on: Nov 22, 2023

How to Write an Editorial

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Share this article

Are you interested in learning how to effectively shape your perspective in an editorial that holds the power to persuade people?

Having the ability to influence people’s views and perspectives through your writing is an admirable talent. But not everyone is blessed with this talent!

Well, an editorial expresses your opinion about any current topic with the aim of persuading the reader to see things from your perspective. 

In this blog, we’ll introduce you to the 4 types of editorials and an easy step-by-step procedure on how to write a compelling editorial. Also, you’ll benefit from the editorial examples and tips we’ve included.

So, let’s get going! 

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What is an Editorial?

An editorial is a newspaper article that contains and explains the author’s ideas. It can be written on any topic, but usually covers social issues. For an editorial, you always have to provide enough evidence from credible sources.

Editorials are featured in magazines and journals as well. Here the editors make claims or aim to create discussion about their publication. They express viewpoints and analyze trending topics critically. 

A well-written editorial must contain the problem’s description and the possible solutions to the problem. When writing about a specific issue, the writer is expected to give recommendations. 

You should create a message for those who are suffering from that issue and what it takes to improve the situation. Besides, you get a chance to speak to the government and request them to take measures to solve the problem. 

Remember that an editorial is different from an article. Read the comparison below for a better understanding. 

What is the Difference between an Editorial and an Article? 

Both an editorial and an article are the parts of a newspaper. While many people believe that both are the same, there are some key differences between them. 

As said before, an editorial is written by the editor in charge of the newspaper and expresses the views of the editor or the editorial board.

It is an opinionated piece of writing, and it is written to influence the thought process and viewpoint of the readers.

All the other news in a newspaper are called articles. These could be news articles, sports news, or any other relevant news. Usually, it is fact-based, as the writer will have a narrow chance of adding their opinion.

Now, let’s see what are the 4 types of editorials. 

Types of Editorial

Although the goal of an editorial is to somehow persuade the readers, there are some types of editorial styles. They are:

  • Interpret and Explain: This type focuses on providing analysis, background information, and interpretation of a particular issue or event. It aims to help readers comprehend complex topics or developments.
  • Persuade : This type of editorial is written with the sole aim of persuading people to change their viewpoints or to undertake an action. With reasoning, evidence, and facts, the author portrays the solution to a specific issue. 
  • Criticize : This editorial type highlights the issues or shortcomings in a person, decision, or action. The goal is to highlight the problem and suggest a possible solution. 
  • Praise : In a praising editorial, the author commends and shows praise for a person, idea, or organization. The focus is on highlighting the positive aspects of the subject.  

Now, let’s dive into the steps you should take to write a compelling editorial. 

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How to Write an Editorial Article?

The following steps will help you in writing an editorial piece that can persuade readers to agree with your opinion. 

Step 1. Choose a Topic

Editorials aim to promote critical thinking and persuade people to change their minds on a topic by influencing their opinions. Make sure to choose an interesting topic, a controversial subject, or something that has a purpose.

Controversial topics are a great way to stir debate and get the readers engaged right from the start. With opinion pieces, you have to focus on recent stories that people are talking about. 

Step 2. Research Thoroughly 

Take time and research all aspects of your topic and find all the reasons behind the issue. Look for relevant evidence and examples to support your opinion. Gather all the latest facts and information from credible sources. 

Step 3. Pick a Side 

Make sure to pick a side and create a valid opinion to know what you are talking about. For a valid opinion, you must come up with logical reasoning. Pay careful attention to this step and provide clear reasons to show why your side is the right one. 

Step 4. Define Your Thesis Statement 

After picking your side, articulate your main message or opinion in a concise thesis statement . This statement should address the core argument you will be making in your editorial.

Step 5. Build a Strong Argument 

Now it’s time to structure your argument and back it up with facts. Each point you will address in your argument should correspond to your thesis statement. 

Using examples to support your arguments is a great way to increase the strength of your claims.

Step 6. Consider the Counterargument 

It is a good practice to consider and acknowledge the opposing arguments that relate to your topic of discussion. For a balanced outlook, you should include opposing views in your editorial.

Your editorial will give an unbiased and thoughtful outlook to the reader if you include opposing opinions.

Step 7. Start Writing the Editorial 

After coming up with a valid opinion and supportive arguments, it is time to start the actual writing process. Make sure this writing is short and clear so that the readers do not get bored and easily understand your point of view. 

Start your editorial with a strong hook to catch the reader’s attention right from the start. You can also start your editorial with a question, quote, or summary of what the editorial is all about. 

The body of your work should objectively explain the issue and why the situation is important to handle. Try to cover all the bases and include facts and quotations from credible sources. 

Conclude your editorial with a noteworthy statement. In this section, you can again include quotations or a question to make the ending worth remembering. 

Step 8. Edit and Proofread 

It is essential to go through your writing multiple times and make sure it's free from grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. If you are unable to do this on your own then ask someone else for feedback so that no errors slip by. 

The PDFs below can help you understand how to write an editorial title and pitch to keep the readers hooked throughout the document.

How to Write an Editorial Pitch

How To Write an Editorial Title

How to Write an Editorial for a Journal?

For a journal editorial, there are slightly different rules and criteria that the article and editorial writers have to follow.

For a journal editorial, follow the below guidelines:

Step 1. Choose a Thought-Provoking Topic 

Since an editorial is a thoughtful piece of writing, you must choose a significant topic and strike a thought in the readers. The topic should be as per the nature and topic of the journal, as if it is a medical journal; you must choose a topic belonging to the medical field.

Step 2. Add the Introduction and Thesis of the Chosen Issue 

Introduce the editorial's issue or topic and incorporate a thesis statement outlining the subject matter. An editorial aims to uncover and present an issue, delving into its significance, effects, and potential solutions.

Step 3. Explain the Background of the Problem 

It is common knowledge that every problem has a background. In this section of the editorial, mention and explain the background of the said issue. 

Also, answer the following questions:

How did it occur?  What are its consequences and effects?  What is its impact on the larger public? 

These are some of the questions that you will need to address and answer in this section.

Step 4. Present the Main Argument with Evidence 

Highlight the main points you wish to discuss and substantiate them with relevant evidence. Seek credibility by referencing previous publications and online sources, strengthening the points articulated in the editorial.

Step 5. Write the Conclusion of your Editorial 

The conclusion is the last section of the editorial, and this is where you will conclude your editorial. Finally, wind it up by adding a call to action and personal viewpoint by proposing ways to manage the discussed issue.

Look at this PDF below to understand how to write an impressive editorial for a medical journal.

How to Write an Editorial for A Medical Journal

If you’re a student who needs an editorial for school newspapers, you can get help from the below example to up your editorial writing game.

How to Write An Editorial for Students

How to Write an Editorial for a Newspaper

How to Write an Editorial Letter?

An editorial letter is a letter to the editor of the newspaper, magazine, or any other daily publication. These letters are an important part of a publication, as they represent the voice of the general public.

Usually, these letters are either added on the first page of the newspaper or the last page. 

To write an editorial letter, follow the below steps:

Step 1. Start the Letter with a Salutation

For this, you do not need to know the name of the editor. You can simply add ‘ Letter to the Editor’ as a salutation. However, if you know the name of the editor, then use the name.

Step 2. Start with an Engaging Sentence

The opening is important to grab the attention of the readers. Instead of beating around the bush, get to the point. Tell the reader about the subject of your letter and make it convincing for them.

Step 3. Explain the Importance of the Issue 

Remember that you are writing the letter because you think the issue is significant in your eyes. You have to explain why the issue is significant because the reader may not feel the same emotions. So briefly outline the background and importance of the issue.

Why do you feel that the issue needs to be addressed? Why are you writing this letter? Answer the questions in plain and simple language so that your readers can understand them easily.

Step 4. Provide Relevant Evidence

Provide proof and evidence about the issue that you are discussing. Some key evidence could be found in the cuttings of the newspapers and magazines. Use them to highlight the issue and the need for its solution.

Step 5. Add your Suggestions about the Issues 

What are your thoughts about the issue in question? What do you think should be done to handle the situation? Answer these questions by expressing your views, and giving suggestions to solve the issue. 

Step 6. Keep the Letter Brief and Concise 

Shorter and more focused letters are more likely to be accepted for publication. Once you are done with the letter’s writing, read it and see if anything could be deducted.

In case you feel that the issue will not be covered in an editorial letter, ask the editor to allow you to write a guest column or a feature.

Step 7. Add your Signature 

Newspapers and other publications do not like and publish anonymous letters. After you are done with the writing part, add your full name, contact number, email address, and home address with it. 

Step 8. Revise your Letter 

Make sure that you revise and edit your paper properly before posting it. Check it for clarity as the newspapers prefer well-written, well-researched, and brief letters.

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How to Write an Editorial for a Magazine?

Generally, an editorial in a school and college magazine is written to inform the readers about the magazine’s content. It reflects the culture and standards of the school or college.

It has three parts, like an essay, that includes an introduction, main body paragraphs, and conclusion. 

Some general guidelines for a magazine editorial are given below:

  • It should not be more than 250 words long
  • Pick a side and talk about it only. Do not try to cover everything
  • Don’t write from the first-person perspective.
  • Try not to exaggerate and write everything as it is
  • Use active voice and avoid passive voice as much as possible
  • Avoid using run-on sentences
  • Create a rhythm by adding short and long sentences, and simple and complex words
  • Try to add a tinge of entertainment to your writing

The introduction introduces the magazine's main topic and contribution to public interest. In the main paragraphs, the writer explains the articles and photos, showing their connection to the magazine's main theme.

The conclusion wraps up the main points addressed in the editorial. It provides a summary of the magazine’s main theme and its significance. 

how-to-write-an-editorial-for-a-magazine-example

How to Write an Editorial Response?

An editorial review is different from writing an editorial. Reviewing an editorial is the next step in the editorial publishing process. Like editorial writing, editorial review writing has a process that the reviewer must follow when reviewing an editorial.

Though, as a writer, editorial reviewing is not the work of the writer but sometimes the teacher may ask the students to review the editorial. In case you get any such assignment, follow the below steps:

Step 1. Read the Entire Manuscript Properly

Before starting with the editorial reviewing and proofreading the content manuscript, read the document completely. Give suggestions, and changes, and rearrange the content afterward. Try to understand the purpose of the writer, audience, organization of the content, and thought.

Step 2. Make Notes While Reading the Manuscript

When reading the manuscript, make notes by marking the sections and paragraphs in the manuscript. You can mark them as vague, irrelevant, grammatically incorrect, or inconsistent.

This way, you will know where you will need to make the changes. It also helps you in keeping track of the changes that you need to make in the document.

Step 3. Add the Respective Issues

Once you are done with the marking, reread the content and the paragraphs you have marked and mention their issues. These issues could be anything like weakness of narrative, the irrelevance of the content, shortage of proof and evidence, or grammatical or stylistic errors.

Step 4. Make Recommendations about the Issues

Once you have detected the issues, make recommendations about why the paragraph is lacking. Add the suggestions in a separate file or directly on the document and in the column beside the paragraphs.

Suggest the style of writing, the relevancy of the evidence, or any grammatical issues. Other suggestions may include:

  • Clarity of the content
  • Suitability of the content for the intended audience
  • Structure of the manuscript
  • Grammatical structure
  • The flow of the content

Step 5. Check for Punctuation and other Writing Mechanics

Check the entire document for punctuation and writing mechanics. Here, you can suggest the sections and numbering of the paragraphs. You can also suggest a way of writing that will be more appropriate for the audience.

Are Editorials Just Opinion Pieces?

An editorial and an opinionated article may seem the same, but they are somewhat different from each other. An editorial is usually written by the newspaper's editor in charge and may not have the writer's name.

An opinion piece does not have to be published in a newspaper. It could be anywhere, even online. But if you have written the piece for a newspaper, it will be identified as an Opinion Editorial or an Opposite Editorial (Op-Ed). 

Editorial Ideas

If you are unable to come up with good ideas for your editorial, here are some of the most current topics that you can have a look at.

  • Global warming effects on earth
  • Should gay marriages be allowed?
  • Should marijuana be legalized?
  • Is euthanasia immoral?
  • Do people complain too much?
  • Is there such a thing as a Facebook addict?
  • The dangers of social media addiction
  • Benefits of Organic Food Consumption
  • Benefits of Reading
  • Should cigarettes be banned?

Editorial Example

Editorial writing is a type that can be hard to explain, and typically, it is a combination of facts and opinions. Take a look at this example to learn the whole writing process better. 

 Editorial Writing Sample

To Wrap It Up, Writing an editorial is a  difficult and a huge step in your career, especially when aspiring to become a writer or a journalist. However, you can follow the steps mentioned above to write an interesting editorial.

Having read the detailed guide for writing different types of editorials, you should be able to persuade people with your words in an editorial. Still, we understand that editorial writing is not an easy task for all!

If you are confused and need some help, seeking professional assistance is always an option. Our expert writers are available 24/7 to assist you with all the ‘do my paper’ queries. Rest assured, we offer the best essay writing service to all our customers. 

Contact our support team and get a head start on your editorial writing journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who writes an editorial.

Editorials are written by the newspaper's editor or the editorial board, representing the collective viewpoint of the editorial team.

What makes a good opinion editorial?

Op-eds are most effective when they articulate a clear opinion, substantiate it with evidence, and incorporate specific individuals in the provided examples.

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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How To Write An Editorial

Last updated on: Nov 20, 2023

Learn How To Write An Editorial By Experts

By: Cordon J.

Reviewed By: Chris H.

Published on: Sep 14, 2021

How to Write an Editorial

An editorial is a newspaper article that presents the author’s point of view on different topics and issues. Students are often assigned to write editorials of school newspapers.

When assigned to write an editorial piece, you must understand the characteristics of an editorial that appeal to the reader.

Learn how to write an editorial with this complete guide. Also, find below some editorial topics and examples that may assist you when you begin writing your editorial.

How to Write an Editorial

On this Page

What is an Editorial?

An editorial is an article that expresses the editor's ideas and explains the issue at hand. Just because it is an opinion piece doesn’t mean that the author can write their thoughts merely. They can not write an editorial without conducting research and considering the facts.

To build their argument and persuade the readers, editorial writers must present authentic evidence that will support their opinions.

The aim of an editorial is to present an issue clearly and propose a solution to get rid of it.

Author’s need to address the people currently facing the issue. They also need to tell them what can be done to deal with the situation. If necessary, the author must speak to the government, asking them to take appropriate measures to help combat the situation.

Considering the research and effort that goes into writing an editorial, they can be considered similar to a research paper.

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Types of an Editorial

Typically, there are four different types of editorials, where each serves a unique purpose.

Below is a detailed description of these types.

1. Explain and Interpret – this format gives editors a chance to explain how they tackled sensitive and controversial topics.

2. Criticize – such editorials while focusing on the problem rather than the solution criticize actions, decisions, or certain situations.

3. Persuade – in this format, you propose a solution and convince the readers to take appropriate actions.

4. Praise – this type of editorial is written to show support and commend a notable action of an organization or individual.

How to Write an Editorial?

With social media becoming more popular day by day where everyone can easily express their opinions, people aren't sure of how to write a strong editorial.

Editorials are based on the writer’s opinions. But, if you want the reader to take your word seriously, you must provide facts to support your opinion. Don’t ramble and rant about a personal issue.

Following are the important steps that will help you craft an impressive editorial.

1. Pick a Topic That Will Grab The Reader's Attention

The purpose of an editorial is to change the public’s belief about a particular topic. Or to encourage them to critically analyze issues and, more often than not, suggest a particular course of action.

When brainstorming ideas for your piece, make sure that it is interesting, has a current news angle, and serves a purpose. Sometimes writing on a controversial subject can really help attract the reader.

2. Research and Gather Facts

As an editorial writer, your job is to find the truth about a particular issue. Do your research and look for relevant information so that you can present facts along with your opinion. Go through credible sources only and gather the latest facts.

Check out this detailed blog on the types of research and how to conduct them. It will make this step easier for you.

3. Writing the Editorial

When writing an editorial, keep it short and clear, so the reader stays with you throughout the piece. It shouldn’t be longer than 600 to 800 words. Also, avoid using fancy jargon or technical terms.

  • Introduction

Start the editorial with a unique and catchy question, statistics, facts, and quotations. You could also use any other sentence relevant to the topic that will help grab the reader's attention. Also, present your argument in the form of a thesis statement at this stage.

The body of your editorial piece should explain the issue at hand objectively without any trace of biasedness. Discuss each and every aspect of your topic. Address the 5 W’s and H (what, when, where, who, why, and how.)Start by addressing your opposition, people who have dissimilar views. You can also highlight the positive aspects of the opposition as long as they are factually correct.

Next, you need to refute the opposing side. Provide strong reasons and evidence that can help with the credibility of your stance.

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When addressing a problem, you need to propose a valid and applicable solution.

End the editorial with a strong, thought-provoking statement. Your reader must get a sense of closure and completeness from the ending.

4. Proofread and Edit

Don't forget to go through your article once you are done writing. This will help get rid of otherwise unnoticed mistakes and typos.

Editorial Example

EDITORIAL EXAMPLE PDF

Editorial Topics

Here are some interesting and good ideas to help you write an excellent editorial.

  • The contribution of fast food is making us obese.
  • Should PlayStations be blamed for the death of outdoor activities?
  • The flip side of social media.
  • Should recreational marijuana be legalized?
  • How does recycling help save the environment?
  • The evil that is the selfie culture.NBA season preview.
  • Are e-cigarettes really safe for our health?

We hope that this blog helped answer all of your editorial writing-related queries. In case of any confusion generate sample editorials from our AI paper writer or, feel free to contact 5StarEssays.com and ask to write an essay for me .

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good editorial.

Great content needs to be informative, opinionated, and engaging. It should also teach without being pedantic or didactic in order for the reader's attention span to last as long they are reading. Also, keep it as brief as possible.

What are the elements of an editorial?

Following are the main elements of an editorial:

  • Objective explanation
  • Opposing opinions
  • Writer’s opinions

What is editorial style?

Editors use a set of guidelines to help make their words as consistent and effective as possible. This is their specific writing style. It distinguishes their writing from anyone else.

Cordon J.

Speech, Law

Cordon. is a published author and writing specialist. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years, providing writing services and digital content. His own writing career began with a focus on literature and linguistics, which he continues to pursue. Cordon is an engaging and professional individual, always looking to help others achieve their goals.

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12 Best Editorial Writing Topics With Examples (2024)

Editorial content writing aims to inform or educate readers. Discover relevant editorial writing topics you can use, plus examples to help you in writing.

Editorials let writers share their points of view on different topics. It’s an opinion piece where you must research and find relevant facts that establish your credibility and demonstrate your writing skills. You might use editorial writing as a journalist; in that case, these best journalism tips will get you started! Keep reading to see our editorial writing topics to launch your career.

What Type of Writing is an Editorial?

What is an editorial opinion piece, 1. science and health, 2. environmental challenges, 3. social media and social networking, 4. devices and technology, 5. finances and the economy, 6. sports and entertainment, 7. significant past events, 8. social issues, 9. controversial topics, 10. current events, 11. “future of” editorials, 12. versus editorials, what are some essential rules for writing an editorial, what is the difference between an editorial and a blog post.

Editorial writing topics

Editorial content writing is the opposite of content made to sell products. Instead, this type of writing is focused on entertaining, educating, or informing readers. It’s all to attract them to want to know your business further. With consistency, you improve your engagement and lay the foundation for a target audience loyal to your content.

Opinion pieces, as their name suggests, are articles published in periodicals, magazines, and newspapers presenting the writers’ opinions on a specific topic. These pieces can be signed or unassigned by the writer and are produced to offer readers a wide range of views about the subject. Below are interesting editorial topics you can use.

Editorials about science and health are usually selected by professionals who want to share their reviews or opinions on a specific subject in their specialized field. They help the readers understand natural phenomena, new products or technology related to science, research studies or methods, and claims made by fellow professionals, companies, or organizations.

Some examples are:

  • The Sudden Outbreak of Swine Flu
  • Bioterrorism and Its Effects on a Country
  • Science in a Time of Crisis: Communication, Engagement and the Lived Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Junk Foods’ Negative Impacts on Children’s Growth
  • Quick Meals and How They Contribute to Obesity in the US

Editorial writers for this topic must know how these challenges work and affect society. These environmental issues coax the readers to take the problems tackled in these pieces more seriously as they identify threats to humans and our ecosystems with reliable research and data.

  • Tackling Our Biggest Environmental Challenges
  • Global Warming, Climate Change, and Their Effects on People and Animals
  • The Positive Impacts of Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
  • How Oil Spills Destroy Bodies of Water
  • Should We Decrease Companies’ Carbon Credits ?

Social media and social networking

Because social networking sites only became prevalent post-2004, research regarding their adverse consequences has yet to be thoroughly scoured. Additionally, brainstorming about editorials on social media is easier for the younger generations since they’ve been exposed to it for longer and have first-hand experience with its effects.

  • The Different Pressures of Social Media
  • Do We Need Stricter Cyber Crime Laws?
  • Reality Shows and How They Alter Teenager’s View of the Real World

Editorials on technology often link devices and their influence on a group, usually students or employees who operate these devices in their daily activities. Pieces about this topic delve into the contributions and drawbacks of technology regarding convenience, innovation, and well-being.

  • Why Technology Can Be a Catalyst for Social Good
  • The Ethical Issues Concerning Nanotechnology
  • The Risks of Giving Toddlers Phones
  • General Data Protection Regulation: Are You Protected Enough?

Finances and the economy are always relevant subjects, and topics linked to them never run out. Therefore, many editorial pieces are prompted by constant analysis of economic trends, issues, and practices within a county, country, and globally. Editorial articles also explain how ripple effects affect an individual’s wealth.

  • The Big Quit: Why Millenials Are Tired of Working
  • Economic Recession and Its Effects
  • Saving the Economy or Saving Lives: An Unnecessary Choice
  • Causes of the Subprime Mortgage Crisis

If you’re writing for your school newspaper, see these excellent examples of newspaper headlines .

This topic highlights lifestyle, media updates, and game news reports. Sports can also focus on a coach, team, or player’s profile, where the editorial writer comments and analyzes their style and gameplay. It can also brush other sports subjects, such as the Iran football team who refused to sing their national anthem amidst the Mahsa Amini protests .

  • Is Qatar the Right Host for the FIFA World Cup ?
  • What To Know About the Latest NBA Season
  • What Went Wrong With Rambo: The Video Game ?
  • Steroids and Doping for Sports
  • Habits: A Pandemic of Lost Routines

Middle and high school students find this topic more manageable to discuss since the information they need is already available. The editorial writer can examine a subject they relate with, like their ethnicity or personal experiences, to make the piece more compelling. They can also probe extreme historical events and reflect on their ongoing effects on current times.

  • The Boston Tea Party of 1997
  • A Glimpse of the Past: A Look at Black History

An unsigned editorial relays a newspaper’s stand on a social issue in a professional setting. The piece scrutinizes the social problems and shares most of the editorial board’s opinion on such matters. These social issues depend on various factors, such as pending cases, laws, and politics, that impact many people in a society.

  • The Necessity of College Schooling
  • Legal Recognition of Same-sex Marriage Should Proceed
  • Capital Punishment Be Mandatory in All States
  • Pardoning Student Loan: Is It Fair?

Controversial topics are subjects that rouse arguments and stir clashing groups who disapprove of another’s mindset. These themes spark debate among opposing parties with strong views, biases, or prejudices.

An editorial reveals both of the parties’ viewpoints and remains objective. It presents facts pertinent to the topic, such as why a partaker dramatically insists on or resists changes or if any participants are open to negotiations.

  • Legalization of Marijuana: What Comes Next?
  • Should Students Grade Their Teachers?
  • What Follows Roe v Wade: It Doesn’t Stop Here

Journalists and other professional writers must keep up to speed to tackle current events and deliver fresh news. Readers are encouraged to read the most recent stories that pique their interest. Editorials that use current events intend to attract attention and keep the audience up-to-date on the latest affairs worldwide.

  • The Victory of New Government Candidates
  • The Russian and Ukrainian War
  • Are You a Victim of Voter Fraud?

Here’s a tip, when there’s little happening in your field, check out these newspaper column ideas to be inspired on what to write next.

A good editorial knows how to keep its readers curious by opening a discussion regarding thought-provoking issues and posing possibilities. These editorials aim to educate and persuade readers to do something in support of or against the topic with facts and data.

  • Future of Organic Food
  • Future for Printed Journals
  • Future of Smartphones
  • Our Future is Uncertain and Stressful

Versus editorials compare and contrast two conflicting themes or ideas and expound on why they are opposed. If you’re wondering, an op-ed is not the same as an editorial. An op-ed is usually placed opposite the editorial and written by an individual not affiliated with the editorial team or the newspaper. Some examples of this are:

  • ‘Faith vs. Fact:’ Why Religion and Science Are Mutually Incompatible
  • Darwinism vs. Creationism
  • Healthcare in Denmark vs. Healthcare in the US

FAQs About Editorial Writing Topics

Editorials are not meant to advertise anything. They are pieces that state the writer’s objective opinion based on evidence and in-depth research. An editorial must analyze the topic with supporting facts from unbiased sources and either inform, persuade, criticize, or praise. It should also be entertaining to read.

The main difference between blogs and editorials is their reliance on facts and research. If blogs let writers share their personal beliefs, editorials offer expert opinions. Additionally, blogs adopt a casual tone and avoid jargon, whereas editorials have a more professional style to convince readers of the pieces’ credibility.

editorial writing is for

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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From Idea to Impact: A Guide for Writing Editorial Example

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You don’t have to be an expert writer to create a stellar editorial. Many students hesitate when assigned an editorial. The thought of impressing a larger campus audience can be intimidating. And may lead some students to consider skipping the assignment altogether.

However, there are ways to improve their editorial writing skills. This post brings you all the essentials with editorial examples. So, start reading to discover how to create a compelling editorial easily!

Table of Contents

What is an Editorial?

Editorials are small articles, usually written in the form of essays, featured in newspapers and magazines. These articles reflect the writer or editor’s viewpoints on a subject matter. More often than not, people consider an editorial as the opinion of a newspaper on a current issue.

Types of Editorial With Editorial Example

Editorials come in various forms, each serving a unique purpose. This segment explores four types of editorials.

  • Explain and interpret

General Editorial Example

Before moving on to the types here is a general editorial example.

Title: Understanding Tourette’s Syndrome: A Call for Compassion and Inclusivity

These editorials examine a topic or issue and highlight its flaws or shortcomings.

It can be a criticism of a decision or an action. Sometimes criticism editorials suggest improvements or provide alternatives

Criticism Editorial Example: “The Flawed Education System: A Call for Reform”

*Note: Here, the writer criticizes the current education system, pointing out its weaknesses. (You may also provide necessary changes to improve student outcomes.)

Explain and Interpret

This type of editorial aims to clarify complex issues or events. By providing context it helps readers understand the topic at hand.

Editorial Example: “Breaking Down the Latest Economic Policy: A Comprehensive Analysis”

In this editorial, the author explains the intricacies of a new economic policy. Outlining its key components and potential impact on the nation’s economy.

A Persuasive editorial tries to convince people. It provides a solution and prompts the reader to take specific actions.

Editorial Example: “The Climate Crisis: Why We Must Act Now”

The author presents compelling, evidence-based arguments on  climate change  in this piece. They also persuade readers to take immediate actions essential for our planet’s future.

A praising editorial celebrates or supports a person or entity’s achievement or notable action. It may also talk about an organization or event.

Editorial Example: “The Unsung Heroes: How Online Paper Writing Service Platforms are Helping Students Find Balance in Life “

In this editorial article example, the writer applauds the professionals that help students.

Editorial Example for Students

Tips to write editorial example for elementary students.

Here are 7 tips for elementary students to write editorial examples:

  • Find a fun topic . Choose something that you and your friends care about. For example a school event, a new playground, or a favorite book.
  • Learn more . Ask your teacher, parents, or friends for information and facts about your topic. This will help you in writing fact or evidence-based editorials. 
  • Share your thoughts : Tell your readers what you think about the topic and why it’s important to you.
  • Tell a story . Use examples from your own life or from things you’ve seen or heard to make your point easier to understand.
  • Make a plan . Down your main ideas in order, so you know what to talk about first, next, and last in your editorial example.
  • Keep it simple : Use words and sentences that are easy for you and your friends to understand.
  • Ask for help . Show your editorial example to a teacher, parent, or friend and ask them for advice on how to make it even better.

You will be able to create interesting and fun editorial examples by following these tips. Here are some editorial example topics that you can write on. 

Tips to Write Editorial Example for Middle School Students 

Here are 7 tips for middle school students to write editorial examples

  • Choose a relevant topic . Pick a subject that matters to you and your peers. These can include school policies, community issues, or social trends.
  • Research your topic . Look up information and facts about your subject through different sources. These can include books, articles, or online sources. Make sure your material supports your opinion in the editorial example.
  • State your opinion . Be bold when expressing your opinion on an issue. As middle-schoolers, you can explain the reason behind your perspective. This benefits both you and your audience in expressing and understanding your opinion.
  • Use real-life examples . Remember that most of your readers are students with lower attention spans. To engage them, you need to make your editorial relatable. Add shared experiences, events, stories, and news to make your argument persuasive. 
  • Organize your ideas . Create an outline for your editorial example. A clear introduction, body, and conclusion outline will guide your writing.
  • Write clearly and concisely.  Use straightforward language and concise sentences. Make your editorial easy to understand for your fellow middle school students.
  • Revise and seek feedback.  Review your editorial example for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. You can ask a teacher or friend for their input on improving it.

These steps will help you write impactful editorial examples for your school magazine. Your audience will resonate with your work which can spark meaningful discussions.

Tips to Write Editorial Example for High School Students

Here are 7 tips for high school students to write editorial examples:

  • Select a compelling topic . Choose a subject that is relevant and important to you and your fellow high school students, such as school policies, social issues, or current events.
  • Conduct thorough research . Investigate your topic using reliable sources like books, articles, or reputable websites to gather evidence and support your opinion in the editorial example.
  • Present a clear argument : Articulate your stance on the issue and provide logical reasons for your viewpoint.
  • Incorporate real-world examples . Use personal experiences, school-related stories, or news events to strengthen your argument and make it relatable to your audience.
  • Structure your editorial . Plan your editorial example with a well-organized outline, including an introduction, body, and conclusion, to ensure a cohesive flow of ideas.
  • Write with clarity and precision . Employ clear language and concise sentences to convey your message effectively and engage your high school peers.
  • Revise and seek constructive feedback . Edit your editorial example for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, and ask a teacher, parent, or friend for their suggestions on how to enhance it.

Editorial Examples For Newspapers

Here are 8 tips for writing editorial examples for newspapers:

  • Choose a timely topic : Select a current and newsworthy issue that is relevant to your readers, such as local politics, community events, or national debates.
  • Research extensively : Investigate your topic using credible sources like official reports, expert opinions, and reputable news articles to gather solid evidence and support your viewpoint in the editorial example.
  • Formulate a strong argument : Clearly articulate your stance on the issue, present logical reasons for your position, and address potential counterarguments.
  • Incorporate real-world examples : Use relevant case studies, personal stories, or recent news events to illustrate your points and make your argument more persuasive to newspaper readers.
  • Organize your editorial effectively : Structure your editorial example with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, ensuring a smooth flow of ideas and logical transitions between paragraphs.
  • Adopt a journalistic tone : Write with clarity, precision, and objectivity to convey your message professionally and engage your newspaper audience.
  • Fact-check and cite sources : Verify the accuracy of your information and provide proper citations for your sources to maintain credibility and trust with your readers.
  • Revise and seek professional feedback : Edit your editorial example for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, and consult a newspaper editor or experienced journalist for their input on how to improve your piece.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to craft insightful and impactful editorial examples that will resonate with newspaper readers and contribute to informed public discourse.

Tips to Write Editorial Examples for Newspapers

Students often find themselves lost when writing editorials, as many don’t read newspapers anymore. But fear not! In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to build an amazing editorial. 

Choose Your Topic 

  • Brainstorm your ideas.
  • Make sure your topic hooks your reader.
  • Choose ongoing issues to write on. If you pick an older topic, write with a new perception. 
  • Ensure your topic serves a broader purpose.

It is no surprise that controversial topics gain more attention. So don’t be afraid of digging a little dirt. You can pick topics like unsolved cases where people are still seeking answers. 

Editorial example : Choosing a hot topic like “economic inflation” can instantly grab your reader’s attention. If you choose an older topic like  modernism in literature , write about how today’s readers can find those books relatable. 

Conduct Thorough Research

Think of it like writing a  research paper . Your job is to present the truth to the reader, even in your opinion. So;

  • Gather all solid facts you can find about your topic 
  • Conduct proper research from authentic sources
  • Proper facts and evidence will support your opinions 

Editorial example : Let’s say you’re writing on climate change. In this editorial essay, you will gain data from reputable sources like NASA or the IPCC. Such evidence will support your argument, making it easier to sway your audience. 

Composing The Editorial

Before we jump into the structural sections of an editorial, let’s focus on some characteristics. Following is a brief prompt on the important aspects of writing. This segment is properly explained in our next heading. 

Remember that you’re writing for the general public and not experts. So; 

  • Write concisely. 
  • Keep it clear to avoid confusing your audience.
  • Ensure it’s easy for readers to understand your opinion.
  • Give yourself a word limit that should be at most 800 words. 
  • Avoid tough or fancy words. 

Prompt for a newspaper editorial example : Suppose you’re writing an editorial on “economic inflation”. You will need to use some technical terms in your content. To ensure your reader understands your work, explain these terms. Use simple language and easy sentences to convey your message effectively. 

Now let’s get to the editorial format and observe how to structure your content properly. 

Writing an Introduction

Your introduction is the first thing your reader goes through in writing. You need to engage your audience and push them towards the main body of your editorial. To do that, follow these techniques. 

  • Start with catchy quotes, questions or facts. 
  • Hook the audience with a powerful thesis statement. 
  • In an editorial, your argument is your thesis. 

Example of an editorial : 

Let’s say you are writing on “Consumerism Impacts the Environment”. You can use the following fact:

“Consumerism’s impact: If current consumption patterns continue, by 2050, humanity will require the resources of three Earths, leading to environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity. An urgent shift towards sustainable consumption is crucial for a viable future.”

Composing a Body

  • Organize your arguments and supporting evidence logically.
  • Address counterarguments and refute them.
  • Use real-life examples to illustrate your points.

An editorial in newspaper example : Suppose you’re writing a criticism editorial on “Landfills”. You can discuss the impacts they have on the environment. You may also provide a solution and the importance of immediate action.

Composing Conclusion

The  conclusion  is another opportunity to leave a strong impression on the audience. Keeping that in view;

  • Summarize your main points
  • Reinforce your argument
  • End with a call to action or a thought-provoking statement

Example of editorial writing : Suppose you are writing on “climate change”. Encourage readers to take steps to combat climate change and emphasize the issue’s urgency.

Proofread and Edit

Proofreading is essential because it ensures your writing is error-free and effectively communicates your message. This enhances your credibility and leaves a positive impression on your readers. So make sure to;

  • Check for grammar and spelling errors
  • Review the structure and flow of your editorial
  • Ensure your argument is clear and persuasive

After completing your editorial on climate change, proofread it carefully and make any necessary edits to ensure it’s polished and compelling.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating an engaging and impactful editorial that resonates with your readers.

Topics For Editorials

Here are some topic ideas to help you decide what to write next. 

  • Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
  • The Importance of Investing in Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future
  • Examining the Role of Big Tech Companies in Protecting User Privacy
  • Addressing the Global Water Crisis: Finding Solutions for Access and Conservation
  • The Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Balancing Security and Compassion
  • The Implications of Artificial Intelligence in the Job Market: Preparing for the Future of Work
  • Bridging the Political Divide: Fostering Civil Discourse in a Polarized Society
  • Examining the Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Ecosystems
  • The Role of Journalism in Upholding Democracy: Preserving Truth and Accountability
  • Exploring the Ethics of Genetic Engineering: Balancing Progress and Responsibility

And there you have it, our easy guide on how to write an editorial! Just follow these simple steps and keep an eye on editorial examples for the practical applications of the tips.

However, some of you might still find it tricky to create an impactful editorial. Don’t worry – our  college paper writing service  has your back. Our talented writers will not only help you meet those deadlines but also bring balance to your busy life. Together, we’ll make sure you achieve your goals in no time.

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How to Create Editorial Guidelines [With 9+ Examples]

Osman Husain

We’ve previously touched upon the importance of creating amazing content briefs to help writers and strategists stay aligned with considerations like content goals, expectations, and SEO requirements.

But meeting SEO requirements and hitting a target word count is only one aspect of your content’s appeal. The tone you embody and the message you convey to your audience is critical. Your content has to both rank well and inculcate trust — if the quality of your content is sub-par, your prospects will transfer that perception over to your products, too.

That’s where editorial guidelines become critical to running your content program.

What are editorial guidelines?

Editorial guidelines, also known as an editorial style guide, are a set of rules that writers or contributors to your blog should follow when publishing content. These guidelines typically include requirements related to your brand voice and tone, grammar & style, image contributions, the type of content you want to publish, your audience, and how your editorial process works.

The goal of editorial guidelines is to ensure consistency across all messaging. For example, if you use American English in some pieces of content and British English in others, that’s inconsistent and may negatively impact your brand impression. Another example is what types of imagery and graphics may be used and the requirements related to sourcing those images.

The goal of editorial guidelines is to ensure that all content is consistent and high-quality and to provide a handy reference point for whoever is writing or editing the article.

How do editorial guidelines differ from tone & voice and brand guidelines?

The two are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to make a distinction between them.

Tone & voice guidelines describe how your brand speaks in all forms of communication. They’re a reflection of your brand identity and are cover all aspects of how a brand speaks beyond just editorial content, covering environments like UI/UX copy, advertising, internal presentations, product packaging, and website copy.

Brand guidelines describe how you wish your brand to be perceived visually and emotionally. If your brand was a person, how would they be perceived? Are they loud, confident, and bold or helpful, inquisitive, and trustworthy? How should the logo be used? What fonts & colors and design requirements exist? Tone & voice guidelines typically are included inside of larger brand guidelines documents, because nailing brand messaging is one component of how your brand is perceived.

Editorial guidelines, on the other hand, can cover any requirements related to fulfilling your editorial mission statement. As we explain in a previous post, an editorial mission statement is how you unite everyone in your content team toward a single goal. It embodies your brand, delivers a deep understanding of your content program’s purpose, what value your content will deliver to your target audience, the style of content you’ll be creating, and why its creation is important in the first place.

While editorial guidelines will also cover elements related to visual guidelines and written tone & voice, they’re primarily focused on conveying how your content gets created, and what it looks like when it’s complete.

How to create editorial guidelines for your brand

Let’s take a look at a few ways you can start to create editorial guidelines for your brand.

Understand your audience

The cornerstone of any great marketing is a deep, visceral understanding of who you’re marketing to. Talking to your audience in a voice that they understand will help convert them into loyal fans. On the flip side, if you’re going to be banal, insipid, and boring, you’re going to lose their interest fairly quickly.

Most businesses make the mistake of adopting generic advertising tones when creating public-facing content. It’s written in a way that’s supposed to appeal to everyone , but by doing so they fail to make any sort of impression. They’ve lost the attention of their audience since they haven’t appealed to any specific segment.

At Content Harmony, we understand that the majority of our audience is smart & creative digital marketers. Our content can only resonate with our audience if it’s clever, informative, and actionable. We want our audience to be a part of our tribe, and we’ll try our best to remain positive without being snarky or negative.

When creating content, it’s important for us to look beyond the fluff. We hold ourselves accountable to high standards, because our audience expects us to. We’re bold and opinionated about content & SEO best practices, because we’ve been in the trenches before and understand the problems that our customers face.

See how Content Harmony documents our audience in our Brand Hub .

Thinking about your audience and its needs and aspirations can help you craft your own editorial guidelines.

The editorial guidelines of Seeking Alpha , a popular finance publication, quickly demonstrates its understanding of the audience it serves when describing what it looks for in a content submission:

editorial writing is for

Figure out the goal of your content

By now you have understood who you’re writing for and the tone that’s going to resonate with them the most. The next step is for you to understand the kind of topics that will engage your audience the most. What are they interested in reading about and how can your blog help them level up in their professional lives?

As mentioned above, the majority of our audience at Content Harmony is smart, creative marketers. We don’t want to bore them with content about why investing in digital marketing or SEO is important for their business — they’re already sold on that. We do want to educate them on things like:

  • Correctly analyzing and catering to search intent
  • Frameworks for content optimization
  • How to plan and structure content marketing teams
  • The importance of content briefs & how to create them
  • Related topics that help them do their jobs better

If your publication actively seeks out guest posts or works with freelance contributors, then listing your core topics and themes as a publicly-available document is a recommended method to get relevant submissions.

B2B marketing community Marketing Profs has a section dedicated to explaining what topics its audience is interested in and how all submissions must fit within these categories, otherwise, it is unlikely to be selected.

editorial writing is for

If your publication gets a lot of submissions , then it’s also recommended that you do a deeper dive into what will make your content stand out from the rest. That’s where the ‘Topics we Cover’ section fits in — if you’re able to explain clearly what your expectations / goals are, the better your chances of quality submissions. What’s more, this also allows you to reject submissions that aren’t a good fit.

Content Harmony’s Editorial Guidelines cover these topics in a section titled “Subject Matter”:

editorial writing is for

Explain your preferred content formats

In your editorial guidelines document, we recommend that you clearly outline what types of content you’re willing to accept. In our research, most publications make it clear that they’re only interested in original pieces of content that haven’t been published elsewhere. Things like press releases or product updates are rarely accepted since they don’t serve the publication’s audience or core interests.

We’ve published Content Harmony’s internal editorial guidelines document to demonstrate what types of posts are likely to be approved for publication.

In this section, we explicitly describe what types of content we want to publish:

editorial writing is for

Your preferred content formats should tie back to your editorial mission statement. Content Harmony’s priority is to create content that leaves an impression on our audience — we want our readers to walk away with the feeling that they learned something new, felt inspired by the content, and were able to apply the insights in their respective careers or side projects.

Instructional / How-To posts, Guides, Curated Posts, and Teardowns are all par for the course as long as they showcase an expert-level understanding of the topic at hand.

We’re also very keen on releasing templates and frameworks that our audience can apply for their own content efforts. Some templates that we’ve made publicly available are:

  • Content Marketing Strategy template ( Google Docs template link )
  • Content Marketing Proposal template ( Google Docs template link )
  • Content Brief template ( Google Docs template link )
  • Editorial Calendar template ( Google Docs template link )
  • Content Optimization framework

We’ll continue to add more templates and frameworks in the future since that’s our way of demonstrating expertise and giving back to the community we serve.

We encourage you to think about your preferred content formats in the same fashion — what types of content help further your editorial mission statement and how do they help your audience?

Explain what you don’t cover

Your editorial guidelines document should also mention things that you don’t want to be included or mentioned in your publication. For example, you may want to avoid mentioning any overtly political topics or for your brand to take a hard stance on things like gun control laws. Your brand may also want to stay classy and avoid lampooning the competition or mentioning them at all.

An explanation of what you don’t cover can also wade into topics that you’re not interested in. For example, if you run a home & gardening business, then submissions that cover topics like how to vet auto mechanics are probably not a great fit.

To recap, an explanation of what you don’t cover can include:

  • Competitors — guidelines on not mentioning them at all in informational / educational content, and only including them when absolutely necessary, such as in comparison pages.
  • Sensitive Topics — this makes the most sense if you’re not trying to align yourself with a social cause. Unless your brand actively courts only one end of the political spectrum, it’s probably better that you don’t take a hardline stance on politics or social issues.
  • Irrelevant / Off-Brand Topics — we’ve mentioned before how the success of your content marketing program is a direct reflection of how well you understand your audience. Accept posts that fall within the realm of what your audience prefers to consume, anything else is unnecessary.

Explain your style guide

We’ve discussed earlier how consistency is important. Your editorial guidelines should also include a style guide, which helps guide writers on whether to use things like em dashes vs semi-colons, spelling variations, and more.

Specifically, your style guide can cover the following elements:

If you prefer that writers use the Oxford comma and maintain an active voice, then cover that in your style guide. This section can also include what variations of popular terms you prefer, such as eCommerce vs e-commerce, eBook vs e-book, or whitepaper vs White Paper.

The most common differences in spelling are between American English and British English, so be sure to explain which style you prefer.

Use of images and links

Some publications ask that their writer does not include any stock images and that any screenshots be annotated with arrows and explainer text. Make your expectations clear so that writers aren’t confused.

Your style guide can also shed some light on external linking best practices. For example, you might want to specify to your writers that they should only link to primary research sources. You could also let them know a list of your competitors so that they avoid linking to them.

If you allow guest post submissions, they usually involve a link exchange of some sort — your style guide can outline what is allowed from an external link capacity. Some blogs are okay with linking out to product / sales pages, while others may only allow links within the author’s bio without further approval.

Formatting tips

As the editor or content manager, you can also include some helpful tips about how you would like your content to be structured. Some publications, like the Harvard Business Review, embody a very academic and text-heavy tone. If that’s the style you prefer, then be sure to include it in your notes.

At Content Harmony, our formatting guidelines encourage liberal use of emojis, bulleted lists wherever possible, and paragraphs that are never more than four or five lines long. By including formatting requirements in your editorial guidelines, you’re going to end up saving time during the editing and revision process.

We also share a list of web elements like callout boxes, bullets, and buttons to make it easier to convey formatting options inside of our CMS.

Show examples of copy that you like

Provide your writers with handy reference points that they can use when creating content. If you can link to examples that stood out for you and explain why you liked them, it’ll help your writers immensely. You can also highlight examples of bad content, and explain where it fell short so that your writers are aware of what pitfalls to avoid.

Content Harmony’s Tone & Voice guidelines include a section showing a good example of pop culture references:

editorial writing is for

Explain your editorial process

An explanation of your editorial process helps both internal and external contributors stay aligned on content expectations and what happens after you click submit. For internal contributors, such as writers on your content marketing team or non-marketing staff such as product managers, this document serves as a handy reference point when they’re creating content.

External contributors like freelance writers or guest post submissions can also benefit from clearly-defined expectations stated upfront. This helps answer questions like:

  • What is the recommended word count?
  • Who retains the copyright for the submitted article?
  • How long does it take to find out if the article has been accepted?
  • What is the established editorial cadence?
  • Can I post the article on personal sites after publication?
  • What sort of links can be included in the article?
  • What format is preferred — Google Docs, Microsoft Word, PDFs?
  • What visual elements should be included?

editorial writing is for

Explain your contributor expectations

Publishing your content is only the first step, so it’s worthwhile spending a little time explaining what expectations you might have from your contributors once the post goes live.

Questions you can answer here are:

  • How will you promote the post — is it distributed to your email list and added on social networks? How soon after publication does that happen?
  • Are contributors expected to reply to comments?
  • Can contributors post the article on their own personal websites and social media feeds?
  • Who handles content updates — is the contributor responsible for any updates or will the in-house editorial team manage that?

In this section, you can also explain whether first-time contributors are expected to submit a short bio and headshot at the time of submission.

Make these guidelines public or easily shareable

The last step is to make sure these guidelines are either published in a public place, or create a shareable link from a Google Doc or Notion doc so you can easily share them with potential contributors or team members.

If these are easily shareable or published, it will also be easier to find them when you want to make updates or revisions as they evolve over time. Your Editorial Guidelines should be a living document, and should likely be updated as often as you’re bringing on new writers and team members. Each time you onboard a new contributor is a chance to see what editorial guidelines slipped through the cracks and make sure you’ve documented them well.

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editorial writing is for

Osman Husain

Osman is the former Head of Content Marketing at Content Harmony and now specializes in building SaaS content marketing programs. His work has been published on ExpressVPN, Shopify, Enzuzo, and more.

Twitter: @osman_husain

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EDITORIAL article

Editorial: peer feedback in second/foreign language writing classrooms: educational psychology perspective.

\r\nXinghua Liu

  • 1 School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
  • 2 Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • 3 English Department, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
  • 4 Department of Educational Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States

Editorial on the Research Topic Peer feedback in second/foreign language writing classrooms: educational psychology perspective

Peer feedback (hereafter known as PF) has long been practiced and researched over the past decades, and has been termed variously by different scholars under such names as “peer review,” “peer editing,” “peer evaluation,” or “peer response.” In this Research Topic, we define PF as the practice of second/foreign language learners (ESL/EFL) assuming responsibilities in providing feedback upon peer's written drafts in either writing and/or oral formats during the process of writing. PF research has been gaining momentum in recent years and has been increasingly popular in ESL/EFL writing classrooms due to its instructional values and learning potentials. Mounting evidence tends to show that PF activities may be beneficious not only for learning domain knowledge such as students' better language performance, but also for fostering those skills like reader awareness, motivation and self-efficacy, reflective and critical thinking.

However, we find that existing PF research has predominantly centered on a linguistic perspective. For example, previous studies largely revolved around topics like inappropriate language usages student reviewers could identify, language use in feedbacking forward and backward, and the types of revisions students would conduct. Hence, the purpose of this Research Topic is to gather research that examines PF from an educational psychology perspective with a particular focus on topics like teachers and students' attitudes, effects of different modes of delivery, and individual differences in PF. There are six papers in this Research Topic and we are going to introduce them briefly.

Zhang X. S. et al. conducted an interview-based research examining five Chinese university EFL writing teachers' attitude toward student self-assessment of writing and their corresponding self-efficacy beliefs during the process. It was found that on one hand, teachers recognized the positive effects of self-assessment upon students' learning, but on the other hand, they still preferred the traditional teacher-controlled assessments. In terms of their confidence to implement self-assessment of writing, all teachers rated themselves relatively low in self-efficacy levels.

Based on the experiences of 12 doctoral students in an academic writing course in a Chinese university, Zhang M. et al. explored how different online platforms (i.e., Moodle, WeChat, Rain Classroom) can work together effectively to deliver PF. The study found that working on the three different platforms was overall useful for students to revise their academic writing work. The study also identified various emotions and affect students had while participating in online PF. At the pedagogical level, the authors offered practical suggestions on how to maximize different technical platforms to better address students' social-affective needs during the PF process.

Cao et al. did a systematic review study to explore the benefits of using online PF in ESL/EFL writing. They found that overall ESL/EFL students had positive attitudes toward the online PF practice. Compared to face-to-face PF, online PF could mitigate face embarrassment and the effects of writing anxiety, thus enhancing writing motivation; generate more revision-based comments and help improve writing performance; build up a better learning environment and accelerate students' reflection, critical thinking and responsibility.

Wu et al. conducted a quasi-experimental study to examine the effects of providing PF to other students' writings upon their genre awareness in business letter writing. Students in the experimental group reviewed the other students' drafts at different levels (high, medium, and low) and gave written comments. Students in the control group did not receive treatment but instead did self-revision. It was found that PF together with weakness feedback comments for medium-level peers' drafts contributed positively to learners' genre awareness in business letter writing.

Sun et al. compared PF to teacher feedback and explored the different features of feedback and its impact on draft revisions. Overall, they found that PF could supplement teacher feedback, alter some linguistic characteristics and may lead to higher scores. Specifically, it was found that PF was helpful with text cohesion and the lexical quality of writing, but it was not so helpful in syntactic complexity of the essay. The authors also pointed out that though students could identify many issues in writing, they couldn't provide sufficient or useful explanations, solutions or suggestions compared to the teacher.

By adopting engagement with task framework, Chen et al. examined the cognitive, behavioral, social, and affective dimensions of engagement in a collaborative task. It was found that the aforementioned four dimensions were interwoven and interdependent. For example, those who showed high social engagement and acknowledged benefits of peer collaboration were likely to be increasingly engaged with the task in the cognitive and behavioral dimensions. By contrast, negative emotions and perceptions of the task would result in a withdrawal from interaction.

The six papers in this Research Topic are telling about current invaluable research on PF. In the future, we hope more attention could be given to the following two areas of studies. First, the cognitive processes of giving and taking feedback have been largely unknown. For instance, we do not know clearly the planning and decision-making strategies students take while giving or taking PF. Second, the design and validation of effective PF training, PF rubrics and the assessment methods of PF performance have been under-researched. Research in these two areas is crucial and will surely add to forthcoming Research Topics.

Author contributions

XL: Conceptualization, Writing—original draft. RA: Conceptualization, Writing—original draft, Writing—review and editing. JS: Conceptualization, Writing—original draft, Writing—review and editing. AA: Conceptualization, Writing—original draft, Writing—review and editing.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Keywords: peer feedback in classroom, peer feedback activity, peer feedback literacy, cognitive complexity, rubric development

Citation: Liu X, Alves RA, Schmied J and Aitken A (2023) Editorial: Peer feedback in second/foreign language writing classrooms: educational psychology perspective. Front. Psychol. 14:1266437. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1266437

Received: 24 July 2023; Accepted: 16 August 2023; Published: 25 August 2023.

Edited and reviewed by: Douglas F. Kauffman , Medical University of the Americas, United States

Copyright © 2023 Liu, Alves, Schmied and Aitken. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Xinghua Liu, liuxinghua@sjtu.edu.cn

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

How to Start an Editorial: Step-by-Step Guide

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The “How to Start an Editorial: Step-by-Step Guide” provides a comprehensive roadmap for crafting persuasive editorials. It covers selecting a relevant topic, conducting research , creating a persuasive thesis, and organizing your thoughts.

Table of Contents

Learn how to start an editorial with a captivating introduction, build a strong case, and polish your work for publication. This guide will aid you in maneuvering through the process, ensuring your editorial resonates with readers and sparks meaningful conversation.

Understanding the Basics of How to Start an Editorial

Understanding the basics of how to start an editorial is essential for anyone looking to craft a compelling piece that resonates with readers. An editorial, opinion journalism, presents the writer’s perspective on a specific topic or issue.

The goal of an editorial is not only to inform but also to persuade, engage, and potentially inspire action. To accomplish this, it is essential to comprehend how an editorial should be structured.

A well-structured editorial typically consists of four key components: the introduction, the thesis, the body, and the conclusion. Each element plays a vital role in communicating your ideas effectively and persuasively.

Introduction

This is where you grab your reader’s attention and pique their interest in the topic. Start with a strong hook, such as a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or an engaging anecdote, to entice readers to continue reading.

The thesis is a concise statement of your central argument or opinion. It sets the tone for your editorial and serves as a roadmap for the points you’ll cover throughout the piece.

The body of your editorial is in which you showcase your arguments, evidence, and examination to bolster your thesis. Organize your points logically and coherently, ensuring each paragraph focuses on a single idea or argument. Use concrete examples, facts, and expert opinions to strengthen your case and convince your readers.

In the conclusion, reiterate your thesis and summarize the main points you’ve made in the body. End with a strong closing statement that either calls for action offers a solution or poses a thought-stimulating query to create a lasting impact on your readers.

By understanding the basic structure of an editorial, you’ll be better equipped to craft a persuasive and engaging piece. Keep these essential components in mind as you embark on your editorial writing journey, and you’ll be well on the path to crafting a compelling and thought-provoking editorial.

How to Start an Editorial: Brainstorming Ideas

When embarking on the journey of writing an editorial, one of the first steps is brainstorming ideas for a compelling and relevant topic. The subject matter should be exciting and provide value to your readers, sparking meaningful conversations and potentially inspiring change. As you brainstorm ideas, consider how to write an editorial title that accurately reflects the content and seizes the interest of your intended audience.

To generate topic ideas, focus on current events, trending issues, or subjects directly impacting your community. Consider the opinions, concerns, and debates surrounding these topics, as they can serve as a rich source of inspiration for your editorial. Make a list of potential subjects, then evaluate each based on relevance, timeliness, and potential impact on readers.

Once you’ve chosen a topic, start thinking about an engaging title that accurately reflects the essence of your editorial. A well-crafted title should be concise, clear, and thought-provoking, enticing readers to explore your piece further. Consider using powerful words, phrases, or questions that evoke emotion or provoke curiosity. Additionally, incorporating keywords related to your topic can help your editorial reach a wider audience through search engines and social media platforms.

As you finalize your title, ensure it aligns with your editorial’s central thesis and overall tone. It’s essential to strike a balance between capturing attention and accurately representing the content within your piece. If your title needs to be more accurate and sensationalized, you risk losing credibility with your readers.

Brainstorming ideas for an editorial involves identifying compelling topics, evaluating their relevance and impact, and crafting a captivating title that precisely represents the substance of your piece. By adhering to these steps, you can develop a robust foundation for your editorial, ensuring it resonates with readers and sparks meaningful conversations.

Laptop, pen and note pad used for how to start an editorial

How to Start an Editorial: Conducting Research

When learning how to start an editorial writing, conducting thorough research is a critical step. Regardless of your chosen topic, gathering accurate information and understanding different perspectives are essential for crafting a well-informed and persuasive editorial. This will enable you to present a strong case for your viewpoint and build credibility with your readers.

Begin your research by identifying reputable sources of information, such as newspapers, academic journals, books, government reports, and expert opinions. These sources can provide valuable insights, facts, and data to support your arguments. Be sure to critically evaluate each source for accuracy, relevance, and credibility, as this will help you build a solid foundation for your editorial.

As you collect information, make note of opposing viewpoints and counterarguments. Addressing these in your editorial demonstrates your understanding of the topic’s complexity and showcases your ability to engage in a balanced and thoughtful discussion. This will make your arguments more persuasive and help you establish trust with your readers.

During the research process, you must remain open-minded and willing to adapt your initial ideas or thesis based on the evidence you encounter. This flexibility will lead to a more nuanced and well-rounded editorial.

Organize your research findings clearly and logically, grouping related ideas and evidence together. This will help you identify patterns and connections that can inform the structure of your editorial and enhance the flow of your arguments.

In summary, conducting research is vital to starting an editorial writing process. By gathering accurate information, understanding different perspectives, and organizing your findings, you can build a strong foundation for a persuasive and well-informed editorial that engages and informs your readers.

How to Start an Editorial: Crafting a Clear and Compelling Argument

Understanding how to start an editorial article involves mastering the art of crafting a clear and compelling argument. A persuasive editorial hinges on presenting a solid case for your viewpoint backed by evidence, logic, and an engaging writing style. Following these guidelines allows you to develop an argument that resonates with readers and effectively communicates your perspective.

Develop a clear thesis

Your thesis is your editorial’s central idea or argument. It should be a concise and specific statement that reflects your opinion on the topic. Be sure to state your thesis early in your editorial, preferably in the introduction, to set the stage for your argument.

Provide compelling evidence

Support your thesis with well-researched facts, statistics, and expert opinions. Use a variety of credible sources to present a diverse range of evidence that bolsters your argument. Remember to cite your sources to maintain transparency and credibility.

Address counterarguments

Acknowledging opposing viewpoints and addressing counterarguments demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the topic and strengthens your position. You can further reinforce your argument by debunking or refuting these counterarguments.

Use persuasive language

The language you use in your editorial plays a significant role in swaying your readers. Employ persuasive techniques such as rhetorical questions, anecdotes, and analogies to engage your audience and make your argument more relatable and convincing.

Organize your thoughts logically

Ensure that your argument follows a coherent and orderly framework, with each paragraph concentrating on a singular point or piece of evidence. This will help readers follow your reasoning and make your editorial more coherent and persuasive.

Revise and edit

After writing your initial draft, take the time to revise and edit your editorial. Make certain that your argument is lucid, succinct, and well-supported and that your writing is free of errors and inconsistencies.

When learning how to start an editorial article, crafting a clear and compelling argument is essential. By developing a solid thesis, providing convincing evidence, addressing counterarguments, using persuasive language, and organizing your thoughts logically, you can create a persuasive editorial that engages readers and effectively communicates your viewpoint.

Person on laptop learning how to start an editorial

How to Start an Editorial: Structuring Your Editorial

Learning how to write an editorial page requires a solid understanding of the editorial structure, which is crucial in presenting your ideas coherently and persuasively. A well-structured editorial ensures readers can easily follow your reasoning and engage with your argument.

Here are some essential steps to adhere to when structuring your editorial:

Begin your editorial with a captivating introduction that hooks your readers and provides context for your topic. Use a thought-provoking question, an intriguing anecdote, or a surprising fact to grab their attention. Additionally, introduce your thesis statement, which outlines your central argument and sets the stage for the rest of your editorial.

Body paragraphs

The body of your editorial should be organized into a series of paragraphs, each focusing on a single point or piece of evidence that supports your thesis. Use clear topic sentences to convey the main idea of each paragraph and maintain a logical flow throughout your editorial. Be sure to provide well-researched facts, statistics, and expert opinions to support your claims and address any counterarguments to strengthen your position.

Transition sentences

Utilize transition sentences between paragraphs to create a smooth flow and maintain continuity in your argument. This will help guide your readers through your editorial and enhance its readability.

Conclude your editorial by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis in a fresh, compelling manner. The conclusion should create a long-lasting impact on your readers by offering a solution, urging action, or posing a thought-provoking question.

Editing and proofreading

After completing your initial draft, carefully review your editorial for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Check for grammatical errors, inconsistencies, and redundancies, and refine your language and style to ensure your argument is presented effectively.

By following these steps, you can structure your editorial to effectively communicate your ideas and persuade your readers. Mastering the art of structuring your editorial page is essential in producing an engaging and thought-provoking piece that encourages meaningful dialogue and inspires action.

How to Start an Editorial: Writing a Strong Opening Paragraph

Understanding how to start an editorial letter begins with crafting a solid opening paragraph that captures your reader’s focus and establishes the foundation for your argument. The introduction is a crucial component of your editorial, as it sets the tone and determines whether readers will be engaged enough to continue reading.

Below are some pointers for producing a persuasive opening paragraph:

Use a captivating hook

Begin your editorial with a hook that immediately grabs your readers’ interest. his could encompass an astonishing fact, a thought-provoking inquiry, or an emotional anecdote relevant to your topic. A robust hook will pique your audience’s curiosity and encourage them to read further.

Provide context

After capturing your reader’s attention, provide background information and context about your topic. This will aid your audience in comprehending the importance and relevance of the issue you are addressing. Be concise and avoid overwhelming your readers with too much information at the outset.

State your thesis

Your thesis statement should be introduced early in your editorial, preferably within the opening paragraph. This statement should clearly articulate your central argument or opinion on the topic. A well-crafted thesis will serve as a roadmap for your readers, guiding them through your editorial and shaping their expectations.

Establish your credibility

Briefly highlights your expertise, experience, or other factors qualifying you to write about the topic. Establishing credibility from the outset will help your readers trust your perspective and be more open to your argument.

Engage your readers

Use a conversational tone to address your readers directly to create connection and engagement. This will help make your editorial more relatable and accessible, encouraging readers to continue reading and consider your viewpoint.

Writing a solid opening paragraph is essential when learning how to start an editorial letter. Using a captivating hook, providing context, stating your thesis, establishing your credibility, and engaging your readers, you can create an introduction that sets the stage for a persuasive and compelling editorial.

How to Start an Editorial: Adding Supporting Evidence

When learning how to write an editor’s note for a magazine, adding supporting evidence to your editorial is crucial in establishing credibility and persuading your readers. A well-researched and evidence-backed editorial will strengthen your argument and demonstrate your commitment to presenting a balanced and informed perspective.

Here are some tips for incorporating supporting evidence into your editorial:

Use various sources

To create a robust argument, gather evidence from multiple reputable sources, such as academic journals, newspapers, government reports, and expert opinions. This will help ensure your editorial is well-rounded and credible, showcasing diverse perspectives and information.

Cite your sources

Be transparent about the origins of your evidence by citing your sources. This demonstrates your commitment to accuracy and allows your readers to verify your claims and explore the topic further.

Integrate evidence seamlessly

Incorporate your supporting evidence into your editorial naturally and unobtrusively. Employ unambiguous and succinct terminology to articulate your facts, statistics, and expert opinions, ensuring they support and enhance your argument without overwhelming your readers.

Including evidence that addresses counterarguments or opposing viewpoints is essential in creating a balanced and persuasive editorial . By acknowledging and responding to these perspectives, you demonstrate your understanding of the topic’s complexity and further solidify your own argument.

Connect evidence to your thesis

Ensure that each piece of evidence you present directly supports your thesis statement. This will help your readers understand the relevance of your evidence and follow your line of reasoning more easily.

Use evidence strategically

Be selective in the evidence you present, focusing on the most compelling and convincing information that supports your argument. Avoid overloading your editorial with excessive details, which may detract from your central message.

Adding supporting evidence is critical to writing an editor’s note for a magazine. By using various sources, citing your evidence, integrating it seamlessly, addressing counterarguments, and connecting your evidence to your thesis, you can create a persuasive and well-informed editorial that effectively communicates your viewpoint and resonates with your readers.

Laptop and notebook used for how to start an editorial

How to Start an Editorial: Wrapping Up with a Powerful Conclusion

Knowing how to write an editorial for a magazine involves mastering the art of crafting a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your readers. The conclusion of your editorial should not only sum up your key arguments and restate your thesis but also provide a sense of closure and inspire further thought or action.

Here are some guidelines for crafting a compelling conclusion:

Reiterate your central argument or position

Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement freshly and engagingly. This will remind your readers of your central argument and reinforce the main message of your editorial.

Summarize your main points

Briefly recaps your editorial’s key points and supporting evidence. This will help your readers remember your most compelling arguments and tie your ideas together cohesively.

Offer a solution or recommendation

If appropriate, present a solution or recommendation that addresses the issue or problem discussed in your editorial. This can demonstrate your commitment to positive change and encourage your readers to consider potential solutions.

Call to action

Urge your readers to take action or further think or discuss the topic. A solid call to action can inspire your audience to make a difference or explore the issue more deeply.

End with a memorable statement or question

Conclude your editorial with a thought-provoking statement or question that leaves a lasting impression on your readers. This will encourage them to reflect on your argument and consider the broader implications of your editorial.

Maintain your tone

Ensure that the tone of your conclusion is consistent with the rest of your editorial. A cohesive tone will help create a sense of unity and polish in your writing.

Wrapping up your editorial with a powerful conclusion is essential in crafting a persuasive and engaging piece. By restating your thesis, summarizing your main points, offering a solution, calling for action, and ending with a memorable statement, you can leave a lasting impression on your readers and encourage them to engage with your ideas long after they have finished reading your magazine editorial.

What should I focus on when brainstorming ideas for an editorial?

Concentrate on current events, trending issues, or subjects that impact your community. Consider opinions, concerns, and debates surrounding these topics for inspiration. Evaluate each idea based on relevance, timeliness, and potential impact on readers.

How can I ensure my research is credible and accurate?

Use reputable sources of information, such as newspapers, academic journals, books, government reports, and expert opinions. Critically evaluate each source for accuracy, relevance, and credibility to build a solid foundation for your editorial.

What should I include in my editorial’s opening paragraph?

Use a captivating hook, provide context, state your thesis, establish credibility, and engage your readers to create a strong and engaging introduction.

What are some tips for writing a powerful conclusion?

Restate your thesis, summarize your main points, offer a solution or recommendation, call to action, end with a memorable statement or question, and maintain your tone to create a compelling and lasting conclusion.

How can I make sure my editorial is well-structured?

Organize your editorial into an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, using clear topic and transition sentences to maintain a logical flow. Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single point or piece of evidence and that your argument is coherent and persuasive.

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For Israel, the Writing’s on the Wall

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Photograph by Nathaniel St. Clair

Israel’s military conduct in Gaza has been “over the top.” –       U.S. president,  Joe Biden , 3 February 2024 “What’s happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people hasn’t happened at any other historical period.  In fact, it happened when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.” –      Brazil’s president,  Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva , 19 February 2024

Israel is the creation of European colonialism and U.S. imperialism.  They have abetted and sustained a predatory settler-colonial regime and a society that has become adjusted to injustice.  

The 7 October Palestinian uprising was the inevitable reaction of a people who have been under Israeli colonial subjugation for over 75 years.  As Frantz Fanon wrote in his 1961 classic “The Wretched of the Earth,” colonial humiliation engenders fury in the hearts of the colonized.  The oppressed revolt, he said, when they can no longer breathe.  

It is the wish and right of all subjugated people to free themselves and to be masters of their own fate even if that freedom requires armed struggle.  It is in this context that the events of 7 October 2023 should be understood.  

The violence of that day did not grow out of a void; it was bred by   decades of injustice   and in the desire of Israel, the United States and its allies to make Palestinians disappear.  Two different realities, within a mile of each other, collided in October:  While the colonizers celebrated life at a music festival, the colonized, imprisoned in their own land trapped behind a 30-foot  concrete  wall , rebelled . 

The colonized have either to accept subjugation or use whatever means necessary to demand their humanity.  For demanding that right and refusing to disappear, Hamas—Islamist political party and military movement in Gaza—has been condemned by the Global North.  No such condemnation has ever been directed at the state violence and terrorism of the Israeli colonizers, whose acts of dispossession and repression have made Palestinian collective rebellion inescapable and essential.  

If we are to condemn Hamas, then we must censure all liberation movements starting with the United States, with the insurrection by “patriots” in the 13 colonies who rebelled against British colonial rule in 1775, leading to the American Revolution.  We would also have to condemn the enslaved in America, who like Nat Turner in Southampton, Virginia in 1831, violently revolted against their enslavers.  

Generations of Palestinians have been denied the right to have normal lives to imagine a day free of occupation; days without daily harassment and violence from Israeli colonists and occupation forces; days to freely move about in their own country; days without arbitrary evictions, home demolitions; nights without military raids, homes ransacked, arbitrary abductions and detention; and days without endless walls, gates, roadblocks and checkpoints.  It is like “living in a zoo,” said one Palestinian man who, like others, are forced to wait in long lines, sometimes for hours, to pass through turnstiles and caged walkways to reach one of many checkpoints.        

Much has changed since Palestinians refused to accept another day of occupation. 

Their struggle has stirred the Arab world.  It has demonstrated the ingenuity, strength and determination of a colonized people to be free. With no organized army, air force and modern weaponry, and with no support from most Arab leaders, Palestinians have been able to battle against one of the most advanced militaries in the world.  

Shamefully, family-ruled Gulf states, like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have remained committed to the Biden administration’s efforts to integrate Israel into the region.  

Prior to 7 October, for example, the United States and Israel, with the support of the European Union and Saudi Arabia, had been working on a covert infrastructure plan to construct a trade land corridor (a rail network) linking the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Europe and India through Israel.  The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project, while a potential boon for Israel, would have crossed the Gaza Strip and excluded Palestine and the other 13 countries in the region.  

A month before the Palestinian incursion,  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  called  the IMEC project a breakthrough that would transform the region; that it  “…leads us to a new era of regional integration and cooperation.”

Although the long-term IMEC has stalled for now, its work continues through the “Land Connectivity by Trucks” project  —the transportation of goods from the Gulf of Dubai to Israel through Saudi Arabia and Jordan.  

The United States, like Israel, believes that Palestinian lives are expendable and that genocide is tolerable.  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken demonstrated that during a panel discussion on 17 February  at the Munich Security Conference.  Blinken remarked that “Virtually every Arab country [meaning ruler] now genuinely wants to integrate Israel into the region to normalize relations…” and that an “extraordinary opportunity” exists in the months ahead.  He also included reference to the creation of an imagined Palestinian state.  

U.S. Palestine policy is rich in hypocrisy and poor in morality and rationality.

On one hand, the United States proclaims itself the supreme conveyor of universal “rights, reason and vision,” of what is right and wrong; while on the other, it is the avatar of apologists for the heinous crimes committed against Palestinians by its Israeli proxy.  

Biden, like his predecessors, is operating within a paradigm that no longer exists.  Before the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Israel was seen as a bulwark against Soviet influence in the Middle East and a counter to Arab nationalism.  

Neither is at play in today’s Middle East.  

Israel has been a locus of instability and costly liability.  The people of the region as well as Americans have paid a heavy price because of its destabilizing presence— regime changes, wars, invasions, sanctions, apartheid occupation and the attack of 9-11.   Lawrence Wright thoroughly documents all in his Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Looming Tower.  

Biden and his circle of Israeli supporters have yet to condemn Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians with the same intensity that they have condemned Hamas, Russia and the recent death of imprisoned Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny.  The best Biden has been able to muster have been statements about Israel’s “indiscriminate” bombing of Gaza and that its actions have been “over the top.”   

Biden has expressed only gratuitous empathy for the estimated 100,000  Palestinians killed and wounded (as of 19 February: 29,092 dead and 69,028 wounded) and the 75 percent who have lost their homes and livelihoods since Israel began its bombardment of Gaza.  In contrast, he has repeatedly referenced the suffering of Israelis and Israeli captives.

The president has appeared to have given Israel the green-light to attack the last remaining refuge, Rafah, where over 1.5 million Palestinians have been pushed to the Egyptian border.   Behind closed doors,  the White House has made it clear that Israel will face no opposition or repercussions from their Rafah offensive.    

The United States routinely gives Israel the green-light to violate international law, through its veto power in the U.N. Security Council.   Israel’s atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank have finally forced its history of occupation into the open. 

On 19 February, the International Court of Justice began hearings (6 days) on the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of Palestinian lands captured in the 1967 war.  Fifty-one countries—the largest ever—are scheduled to present arguments.  The Court is being asked to render an advisory opinion on Israeli policies or to declare the occupation illegal.  

As the ICJ, in 2024, has taken up the issue of the legality of occupation, it is worth noting that Lassa Oppenheim  (1858-1919), known as the father of the modern discipline of international law, wrote in 1917, that: “There is not an atom of sovereignty in the authority of the occupying power.” 

Although international law is very clear that territorial conquest, occupation and annexation are forbidden by the Charter of the United Nations, until the South African genocide case against Israel on 11 January 2024 and the current proceedings, there have been any number of criticisms of Israel’s actions, but an absence of any consequences.    

Israel has no viable future in the Middle East in its present form.  Many Israelis seem to agree. According to data from the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority , nearly half a million Israelis have left the country since 7 October.   

The insurrection has delivered a verdict to the United States, Israel and to the Palestinians.  The U.S.-backed Israeli response has been brutal, and has shocked and awakened most of the world.  For Palestinians everywhere, the message is that you can end colonization. 

For new generations of Palestinians, the verdict is in Frantz Fanon’s 1961 prescient observation that, “Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it.”

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Opinion | Erykah Nava and Beatriz Diaz-Pollack: Gov….

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Opinion | Erykah Nava and Beatriz Diaz-Pollack: Gov. Pritzker’s plan isn’t enough to close state’s education funding gap

Students walk the hallways Nov. 2, 2022, at Corliss Early College STEM High School in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Every fiscal year, Illinois lawmakers work through the state budget and decide what areas of our lives to invest in. As part of that process, the Illinois State Board of Education recommends a funding amount to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for investing in K-12 education, which includes the evidence-based funding formula known as EBF. Pritzker decides if he wishes to accept ISBE’s recommendation or decrease or increase the funding amount. The governor then releases his official budget during his annual State of the State address in which he highlights key areas he will financially prioritize for the year.

For this year’s State of the State address , Pritzker accepted ISBE’s recommendation of investing an additional $350 million into the K-12 EBF, the minimum recommended by law, all while celebrating Illinois’ children.

To the public, this funding amount seems like a large amount of money, and the state very much portrays it as performing a great duty for public school students and their communities. However, this is a gross understatement of the reality of K-12 funding.

Due to minimal investments in the EBF, the New Jersey-based nonprofit Education Law Center ranks Illinois 44th out of the 50 states for equitable school funding and gives the state a grade of “F” for equity. That means that despite the EBF’s intent to direct funds to districts with the highest need, these districts continue receiving less overall funding than those serving high-income students.

National experts and partners in the fight for school funding equity have used publicly available ISBE data and found the current EBF funding gap stands at $4.8 billion in K-12. At the current rate of investment, the EBF will not be fully funded until approximately 2040. Students and affected school communities cannot wait this long.

At this moment, schools are facing the rising cost of sustaining themselves while preparing for the loss of pandemic relief funds. This loss will only exacerbate existing issues as Illinois public school districts will most likely face budget deficits. Chicago Public Schools alone is facing a $391 million budget deficit for the 2024-25 school year, and this reality is not limited to Chicago. A deficit will translate to a district losing teachers, social workers, counselors, psychologists, teacher assistants, administrators, interventionists, bus drivers and possibly even students at a time when historically oppressed students need more support than ever before.

Many Illinois public school districts concentrated pandemic relief funds on students with the most needs, social-emotional learning, high poverty areas, facilities and schools with low enrollment. There has been a shift to address the root cause of systemic issues to better the learning experience for students. When you are able to invest in all aspects of students’ lives, the academics will follow. Children cannot learn in an environment where they are not safe and genuinely cared for. Illinois public school districts have witnessed how more investment allows them to do more for students than they ever have been able to.

ISBE’s own data demonstrates that 92% of Black and Latino students attend underfunded schools. This is unacceptable in a state that celebrates its school funding formula as one of the most progressive in the country. It is the state’s responsibility to be honest about the true EBF deficit and fulfill the 2017 promise to adequately fund every public school by 2027.

Lasting transformation is possible when policymakers truly listen and work with affected communities. They must be transparent about where we are and ask how Illinois can meet its commitment to providing excellent, fully resourced schools for all children regardless of race, family income or neighborhood. The answer starts with fully funding the EBF. It’s time for Illinois to demonstrate its commitment to equity and the future of our children.

The  Partnership for Equity and Education Rights , or PEER IL, is a statewide advocacy network of students, parents, community members, organizers and lawyers fighting for reinvestment in public schools so that every child receives an excellent education. The lived experience of our members in affected school communities confirms that increasing the EBF by the minimum year-over-year is not working for the students it was designed to support, so we are demanding the state fulfill its promise of adequate and equitable school funding.  

Erykah Nava, a Chicago Public Schools parent and Chicago native, is the communications strategy organizer at the advocacy organization Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education. Beatriz Diaz-Pollack, a public school parent and a former educator, is director of education equity at the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor  here  or email  [email protected] .

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