Different Types of Editorial
Editorial of Interpretation- Explains or interprets the significance of an
event or issue, helping readers understand the facts and their
implications.
Example:
"What the New K-12 Curriculum Means for Students" - This editorial
explains how the implementation of the K-12 program affects student
learning and graduation timelines.
Editorial of Criticism- Points out flaws or problems in policies,
programs, or actions. It analyzes issues constructively and often offers
solutions.
Example: The Flaws in Our School's Wi-Fi Access Must Be Addressed" -
Highlights how poor internet access affects students and suggests
improvements.
Editorial of Entertainment - Uses humor, satire, or a light tone to
entertain the reader, often while still commenting on a relevant issue.
Editorial of Commendation- praises or honors a person, group, event,
or accomplishment .It can also be written to pay tribute to someone
who has passed away or retired.
Editorial of Argument- Attempts to convince the readers to adopt a
particular point of view or take action on a specific issue.
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN OUR COUNTRY
1.Death Threats and Division:A political feud takes a dramatic turn.
2.Filipino Pro-Duterte Demonstrations in Qatar given Provisional Release.
3.Pagasa: Virac, 5 areas to have dangerous heat index on April 6
4. Zero Subsidy for Phil health sparks debate on fiscal responsibility and
universal healthcare in the philippines.
COLUMN WRITING, OP-ED A N D L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R
Column writing in journalism describe a recurring article by the same
writer. Rather than a factual and objective report column Journalism
expresses the views and opinions of the author. Columnists write for
newspapers, magazines, the internet, and broadcast media.
A column is not a news article, but it is a news It generally answers
why and how. It off personal, using the first and second person and
you. A column often states an opinion is said to be like writing an open
letter. A column also has a standard head, called a title, and a by- line
(name) at the top. These Identity you and your column for the reader.
H O W T O WRITE AN O P - E D O R COLUMN
An op-ad piece derives its name from originally having appeared opposite
the editorial page in a newspaper. Today, the torm is used more widely to
represent calamine that represents the strong, informed, and focused
opinion of the writer on an issue of relevance so a targeted audience.
Distinguishing Characteristics of an Op-Ed or Column Partly, a column is
defined b where it appears, but it shares some common characteristics:
Typically, it is short, between 750 and 800 words.
It has a clearly defined point.
It has a clearly defined point of view.
It represents clarity of thinking.
It contains the strong, unique voice of the writer.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing an Op-Ed o r Column
Do I have a clear point to make?
What is it?
Who cares? (Writing with a particular audience in mind can inform
how you execute your column. Who is it that you are trying to
convince? Why are you targeting that
specific reader?)
Is there substance to my argument?
Topic and Theme
Every successful op-ed piece or column must have a clearly defined topic
and theme.
•Topic: the person, place, issue, incident, or thing that is the primary
focus of the
column. The topic is usually stated in the first paragraph.
•Theme: another level of meaning to the topic. What's the big,
overarching idea of the
column? What's your point? Why is your point important? The theme
may appear
early in the piece or it may appear later when it may also serve as a
turning point into
a deeper level of argument.
Research
While columns and op-ed pieces allow writers to include their own voice
and
express an opinion, to be successful the columns must be grounded in
solid research.
Research involves acquiring facts, quotations, citations, or data from
sources and
personal observation. Research also allows a reader to include sensory
data (touch,
taste, smell, sound, or sight) into a column. There are two basic methods
of research:
•Field research: going to the scene, interviews, legwork; primary
materials,
observations, and knowledge
•Library, academic, or internet research: using secondary materials,
including graphs,
charts, and scholarly articles.
Openings
The first line of an op-ed is crucial. The opening "hook" may grab the
reader's
attention with a strong claim, a surprising fact, a metaphor, a mystery, or
a counter-
intuitive observation that entices the reader into reading more. The
opening also
briefly lays the foundation for your argument.
Ending
Every good column or op-ed piece needs a strong ending which has some
basic requirements.
•Has been foreshadowed by preceding thematic statements
•Is the last a n d often m o s t m e m o r a b l e detail
•Contains a final epiphany or calls the reader to action
There are two basic types of endings. An "open ending" suggests rather
than states a conclusion while a "closed ending" states rather than
suggests a conclusion. The closed ending in which the point of the piece
is resolved is by far the most commonly used.It Echoes or answers
introduction.
Vo i c e
Having a strong voice is critical to a successful column or op-ed piece.
Columns are most typically conversational in tone, so you can imagine
yourself have a conversation with your reader as you write (a short,
focused conversation). But the range of voice used in columns can be
wide: contemplative, conversational, descriptive, experienced,
informative, informed, introspective, observant, plaintive, reportorial,
self-effacing, sophisticated, humorous, among many other possibilities.
Sometimes what voice you use is driven by the publication for which you
are writing. A good method of perfecting your voice is to get in the habit
of reading your column or op-ed out loud. Doing so gives you a clear
sense of how your piece might sound - what your voice may come off as
to your intended reader.
Revision Checklist
Things to remember as you revise your op-ed or column before you
submit it for publication:
•Check clarity.
•Check coherence and unity.
•Check simplicity.
•Check voice and tone. (Most are conversational; some require an
authoritative voice.)
•Check direct quotations and paraphrasing for accuracy.
•Check to make sure you properly credit all sources though formal
citations are not
LetterstotheEditor
Letters to the Editor are found in newspapers. They are written by
members of
the public, as opposed to newspaper staff, and give somebody's opinion
about
a current issue. Letters to the Editor have a similar structure to other
persuasive forms of writing, like an essay. Salutation.
A letter to the editor (LTE) is a letter sent to a publication about an issue
of
concern to the reader. Usually, such letters are intended for publication.
In
many publications, letters to the editor may be sent either through
conventional mail or electronic mail.
What are Letters to the Editor?
- A'formal way to express opinions and engage in public discourse.
- Published in newspapers, magazines, and online platforms.
- Reach a wide audience and influence public opinion.
- Opportunity to provide feedback, critique, and propose solutions
- A platform for diverse voices and perspectives
Submission and Publication
- Identify your target publication: Choose a publication relevant to
your topic.
- Follow submission guidelines: Check the publication's website for
specific instructions (word count, format, deadlines).
- Proofread carefully: Errors can weaken your argument and reduce
your chances of publication.
- Be patient: Publication may take time.Not all submissions are
accepted.
Impact and Ethics
- Letters to the editor can influence public policy and shape community
conversations.
- Contribute to a more informed and engaged citizenry.
- Write responsibly and ethically; avoid misinformation or personal
attacks.
- Engage respectfully with differing viewpoints.
- Concluding Statement: Your voice matters. Use it wisely.
Columns -are the most personal of all newspaper writing. They have a
very personal appeal, an authoritative influence, and very useful
contribution to make in spreading news an opinions.
• They're written to inform, to influence, or to entertain readers.
Qualities of a columnist
• Has the ability to write good English or Filipino, whichever is his
medium.
• Clear, logical thinking.
• Have a sense of fairness.
• Have Sense of humor.
• Resourcefulness.
• "Forms" or helps to form public opinion when he comments with his
logic, humor, or emotion on an issue of the day.
GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING
•Get a clever name for t h e column. The column heading may be set in
distinctive type and may use a design or a cut-out photo of t h e
columnist.
•If the column is meant to entertain, be sure that it does entertain the
paper's typical readers.
•Stay within the subject range of the column.
• Unless it is against the format of the column, make most item short,
separated by
typographical devices like long dashes (-), asterisk (***), moustache ([})
• If the column gives serious suggestions, be sure it is reliable.
•Have items set in various typographical styles, such as italics, bold type,
different points, caps, short clever heads.
•Avoid unkind references t o people.
•Write in good taste.
•Write with conviction.
•Maintain your focus.
•Refer to facts.
•Use analogies.
•be critical.
•Localize and personalize.
•provide a solution.
TYPES OF COLUMN AND THEIR PURPOSES
1. Editorial column
any personal column founded on the editorial page.
makes use of humor as a vehicle in driving the column's message
considered a s the highest expression of press freedom in the
Philippines.
2. Readers column
-comments sent in by the readers are placed.
3. Business column
-contains materials about economy, trade commerce and industry
4. Sports Column
-deals exclusively about sports.
5. Art Column
-deals mostly on painting, architecture, flowers arrangement, paper
maache, ikebana, and the like.
6. Women's Column
-concerns itself about the latest fashion, beauty tips and anything about
homemaking.
7. Entertainment Column
-all about music, theater, cinema, and the people involved in them.
8. Personality
- play up a famous person, his significant achievements, his activities,
dreams, and
ambitions
9.. Reviews
-review of an article, a book, a movie, a drama or a painting.
