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?)

EXAMPLE OF EDITORIAL WRITING

There were no more questions to be answered.

With just a skirmish left in a great war already won a night ago, nobody could fault a battle-scarred Gilas Pilipinas for dropping an 85-71 decision to the tournament’s most worthiest quintet, Iran, and settling for silver last night at the close of the 27th Fiba-Asia men’s basketball championship.
The Iranians romped to an unbeaten nine-game stint in the championship as they reclaimed Asian supremacy in the sport that saw them win this same championship in 2007 and 2009.
Despite the loss, only their second in this nine days of competitions, the Filipinos still walked out of the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with their main objective intact — a ticket to the 2014 World Cup of basketball in Madrid, Spain.
The Filipinos had earlier broken a 40-year absence from the world stage of the sport when they turned back South Korea, 86-79, Saturday night in an unforgettable semi-final showdown that instantly made national heroes out of the Gilas 12. Korea salvaged the last ticket to the World Cup with a 75-57 rout of Chinese-Taipei in the battle for third place. The Filipinos, despite playing without naturalized center Marcus Douthit, came out going for that “dream” of a gold medal finish as they even posted an early lead at 9-6 before dropping back against the Iranian juggernaut led by the 7-foot-2 Hamed Hadadi who was later named Most Valuable Player.
They kept themselves in the thick of the fight by trailing at 34-35 at halftime before the Iranians came back in the third quarter with an initial 10-2 blast that gave them their first sizable lead at 45-36.
There were moments of brilliance from Jimmy Alapag who unloaded two three-pointers and a gutsy drive past Hadadi that put the Filipinos to within 48-55 but the Iranians, egged on by about a thousand supporters at the bleachers who brandished a gigantic Iranian national flag, seized back the momentum on a triple by Mahdi Kamrany at the third quarter buzzer (62-43).
Iran strode to leads of as many as 16 points (72-56) before ending their campaign unscathed and simply dominant among the 15 nations which competed.
Hadadi, reportedly headed to the New York Knicks training camp, led the Iranians with 29 points and 16 rebounds while forward Samad Bahrami sizzled with four triples on his way to a 19-point output.
Hadadi was also named to All-Star five of the tournament with Gilas Pilipinas’ Jason Castro being named as the top pointguard. Korean Kim Mingoo was selected as the best shooting guard, Lin Chih-Chieh the top forward and Iran’s Oshin Sahakian, who had 12 points and 12 rebounds against the Filipinos, was picked as the best power forward.
Castro, who carried the surname William, led Gilas Pilipinas with 18 points while Alapag backed him up with 13.Despite the loss in the Final game, the wildest cheers were reserved by the 19,989 fans for the Filipinos whose silver medal finish was their best finish since 1985.
Providing some comic relief during the awarding ceremonies was when the metal ball screwed to the top of the championship trophy hoisted by the Iranians fell off and rolled off on the hardcourt.

A trip to Spain awaits the Gilas Pilipinas following its impressive showing at the recent FIBA Asia Championship. The prize was for the Filipino dribblers' second place finish, a remarkable performance that revived old memories when the country was the game's most dominant force across Asia.

Well, we have reason to celebrate Gilas Pilipinas' unprecedented feat in the recent regional tournament. That historic triumph against perennial rival South Koreans will always be remembered as a validation of our resurgent power while serving as a big boost in the country's campaign in the coming world championship in Spain.

However, what lies ahead is a very difficult task. The world championship is the league of the 'big boys' where the only tough survive. Like the Olympics, it is where the mighty NBA players and the Europeans flex their muscles.

For our boys, overcoming the challenges would certainly be a tall order. It certainly needs more than a miracle for them to shine in the prestigious competition. And things remain to be seen whether the Gilas Pilipinas has what it takes to be rightfully belong to the 'big league.'

While slugging it out in Spain, we can only see a very slim chance for the Gilas Pilipinas to shine. The good showing that the national team had shown in the FIBA Asia Championship will not be enough to send a message to the world that the Philippines is now a force to reckon with.

There's no question that Filipinos' success in regional tournaments has been anchored on their quickness, a vital instrument in winning the game. But basketball has a main ingredient that Filipinos sadly do not have, which is the height.

In the Spain competition, it would be quickness against height for the Filipinos. Going by that line, winning against the tall Americans and Europeans is like defeating the heavily armed Chinese in the conflict over islets in the Spratlys.

Still, we do hope that the magic in the last FIBA Asia Championship will still work for our boys in the Spanish land.