1. *
No opinion piece follows a set formula. Editorials take
many forms. THERE IS NO ONE FORMULA.

2. * At Baylor University, an editorial ran in support
of gay marriage, which upset the faculty and
staff at one of the largest Baptist universities
in the world.
* The university president said the paper was
“out of touch” and “dangerously close to
violating university policy.”
* REALLY?
*

3. *
* A good opinion section is a virtual town square for your college
community.
* Therefore, your comments must be supported by facts and
illustrative examples.
* Your opinion, per se, is worth no more than mine, but if you can
back it up with facts and examples to support your point, you have
made a strong, impressive statement.

4. *Sparkling, appealing language should
be part of critical opinions. Keep in
mind that the editorial page is often
one of the least read sections of the
newspaper but it could be the most
popular.
*

5. * A true but DULL editorial is like a tree falling
the forest. No one sees or hears it go.
* One of the greatest weaknesses in an editorial
is that the writer gets the facts straight but
presents them in such a boring manner that no
one wants to read the information.
* Coin captivating new phrases. Vary your
sentences. Use analogies, showing that “this”
is like “that.
*

6. * The classic opinion section comes in two parts:
* The editorial page
* The op-editorial (opposite editorial) or
commentary page.
* These are often on facing pages or a single
page
*

7. *
* The writer may smear and praise in a single piece – and perhaps
most often should.
* Few works are entirely good or entirely bad.
* A lack of balance in criticism is a major flaw. REMEMBER THAT!
* An opinion piece must be tied together. Ideally, your writing
should consist of sentences and paragraphs that are so smooth the
reader has a distinct, if subconscious, experience of following a
connected line from the first sentence to the last.
* This unity is often the result of REWRITING.

8. *
* For editorials especially, you need good research habits. You
cannot, nor will you be expected to, be carrying around in your
head or pocket all of the info you need to write an opinion piece
on a topic: communism in Europe, abortion, etc.
* You must know where to go for info and then you must literally
and physically go to those sources and dig out the info you need
and then use that info in a cleverly written article.
* You must always be open to an idea which will stimulate you to
write a column. It may come from a news story, a handout, a
comment you hear at Walmart, wherever. You do not get opinion
pieces assigned, usually.
* It is far more interesting to write about things that interest you
than to have to dig out facts on topics about which you know
nothing and care even less.
* You must be a good reporter before you can be a good columnist

9. *
* Sometimes, you will combine two or more in one piece but you need to know and be able to write in
each of these:
* Informative editorial: dissects events. May explain implications of a
bill recently passed by Congress in a more logical* manner than a
regular news story can.
* Provides more explanation than a regular news story
* Interpretive editorial: explains things of complex circumstances and
often makes use of comparisons and analogies
* Persuasive editorials: The writer wants the reader to do something
(support or oppose a particular candidate.) The writer is seeking to
encourage the reader to contribute to the city’s United Fund drive or
oppose the Sun Rail station.
* Humorous editorial: poking fun at a particular group, individual or
idea. Often, humor is most effective when it is topical and when
exaggeration is used. The object of many humorous editorials is to
entertain rather than to inform.

10. *
* The editorial you read in newspapers and magazines is usually a
reflection of management’s attitude rather than the reporter’s or the
editor’s personal view. That is why editorials are unsigned and “we” is
used.
* The editorial page is a management soapbox.
* This is the difference between editorials and columns or critical
review.
* The columnist or the critic or essayist is clearly identified and
authorized to make personal statements and evaluations which are
then attributed directly back to him or her.
* Again, there is no formula. Rather, the subject matter dictates the
literary form.
* But for beginning editorial writers, here is a form to use to get
started.
* Remember, this is like learning to dance. Once you get the basic
step, you can then improvise and develop your own personal style.

11. * We have to reach out and show we are listening to our
readers by putting up posters and fliers telling students
they can write to us and tell us what they think.
* We can also provide provocative content that will PISS
PEOPLE OFF!
* It’s no wonder we have not received one letter to the
editor. For the most part, the stories have been dull and
dry. Come on, people! You’re in college! You’re
supposed to be shaking things up! You have more
freedom now than you will EVER have in the real world.
*

12. *
* 1. The opening paragraph should state the problem or situation and
outline the position you are taking.
* 2-3 The next few paragraphs should present
arguments, illustration, examples, evidence and other support for
your position.
* 3-5 The succeeding paragraphs should present the major arguments or
evidence counter to your stand. (this provides balance and can
contrast your strong points with opposing points or issues. Also, you
can refute or attack these points.)
* 5-? The concluding paragraphs should reemphasize the stance you took
in the beginning, but make certain you use different words and
different phrasing in this last paragraph. Don’t simply rewrite what
you said in the opening paragraph.
* This method is most effective when you are trying to PERSUADE
your readers to a particular point of view!

13. * 1 – intro and your stance
* 2 – arguments supporting your position
* 3 – arguments in opposition to your position
and your refutation of them
* 4 – reaffirm stand in your opening paragraph
* Or, even simpler, you have a lede, the body of
your article, and a clincher.
*

14. * The lede uses one of more opening sentences
to make an explicit statement:
* “Abortion should not be prohibited in Florida.
This is an infringement on every woman’s right
who lives in the state.”
* OR – “abortion should be prohibited in Florida.
The state has no right to legalize murder.”
* Your lede should be short, crisp and to the point!
*

15. * The body of your editorial should present all
pertinent facts, persuasive language and logical
arguments.
* Make use of options, alternatives or
solutions, especially if you are seeking a shift in
attitudes.
* Hard facts are essential to support your idea.
* A popular technique is to start with the least
desirable of options and end with the one you
believe is most acceptable and reasonable.
*

16. * This is your inevitable conclusion.
* It should be carefully composed, and it should
be one that will be logically drawn from your
readers.
* You are putting into the clincher what you hope
your readers have already deduced.
*

17. * Remember to make your topic compelling.
* The reader must read what you have written.
* Short, tight paragraphs and bright, concise
writing will help immeasurably.
* No one is going to take the time to read
long, grey columns of type, not even your
relatives.
*

18. * We should sponsor a competition for the best
editorial cartoon and offer the winner a regular
spot in the newspaper.
* We should solicit submissions from leaders of
campus groups, faculty
members, administrators and other prominent
people on campus.
*