THE EDITORIAL PAGE
DEFINITION, IMPORTANCE AND TYPES
ME: Good morning everyone. Today, we’re going to learn all about
The Editorial Page, where we’re going to be expressing our informed
opinion. I am Baby Princess O. Nuer and I will be the one who will
discuss the definition, importance and types of editorial.
The editorial page is said to be "the soul" of the newspaper.
ME: It gives life, color and recognition to the newspaper. No
newspaper is considered complete without editorial page which
should be topical, lively, vigorous and full of thoughts.
It contains the masthead, the editorial, the editorial column, the readers'
views, and the editorial cartoon.
ME: These concepts will be discussed later on by other reporters.
The editorial page of a high school paper is a forum for students' opinion.
School problems are presented, analyzed, discussed, and possibly solved.
ME: Here, for instance. The hottest news in school is about the
imposing of a higher grading system in the school. An editorial may
talk about its causes and effects to students, teachers and
stakeholders.
ME: But before we dig deeper into this topic, let us first define what
is editorial. Everyone, please read the meaning of editorial in 3, 2, 1,
go.
EDITORIAL
- is a statement or article by a news organization, newspaper or
magazine that expresses the opinion of the editor, editorial board, or
publisher.
- is the newspaper's means of advising the reader of the significance of
events.
- usually growing out of news events, it goes on to inform, interpret,
convince, persuade, or entertain the reader.
ME: So, Editorial is an article that presents the newspaper’s
opinion on an issue. 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.
The writer of the editorial should express group opinion rather than
individual opinion. They must come to a common understanding as to what
it favors or opposes.
ME: Their stand reflects the majority vote of the editorial board. This
explains why the editorial is unsigned or there is no byline. It is
understood to be the opinion of the staff and not of the individual.
ME: Let’s now proceed to its importance. Please read the first
paragraph in 3, 2, 1, go.
IMPORTANCE OF EDITORIAL:
✓ The editorials are the voice of the newspaper. This voice can inform
readers, stimulate thinking, mold opinion and occasionally move
people to action.
ME: The newspaper is the voice of the community. Here, It is
not simply an essay on some important issue with a few lines
of criticism or comment at the end. It should be carefully
constructed an analytical essay in which writer explains and
interpret an event or public issue.
✓ The editorial needs to tell reader something that would not be
discussed in a straight news story.
ME: Straight news are basically like newscasters, just reporting
the facts with no given opinions on those facts while
Editorials are observers’ opinions on the facts given.
✓ Editorial makes any serious and uninteresting topics debatable.
ME: editorials choose an issue that can elicit a concept or
element to readers.
✓ They are thought-provoking and raise questions in mind of those who
read it.
✓ It is the heart and soul of the newspapers.
ME: Each and every newspaper is incomplete without the
editorial section. Here the editor not only shares his or her
view but also criticize and appreciate the ongoing topics.
TYPES OF EDITORIAL: The different types of editorial are classified
based on the purpose they serve; it can be any or a combination of
the following.
1. Informative editorial - may define terms and issues, identify persons
and factors, provide historical and geographical background when necessary.
Editorial of Information – it seeks to give information on facts of
news stories or add other facts with minimum explanation.
2. Argumentative editorial - takes a stand on a controversial issue and
lines up its reasons in a logical way. Occasionally, it may present both sides.
You take your stand or opinions then reasons or evidence that must
be delivered in a professional and formal manner,
3. Editorial of persuasion - enlists the reader's support of a program or a
plan of action.
ME: Editorial of persuasion. It is an article with the intention to
convince or influence readers to believe in an idea or opinion and to
do an action. In closing, it cites advantages to be gained or contains
a plea for action.
4. Editorial of interpretation or comment - explains the significance of a
recent news event in relation to other events.
ME: Editorial of interpretation or comment - the writer doesn’t argue
nor criticize, but merely present both sides of an issue and leaves
the judgment to the reader. It merely interprets, say for example,
the content of a new memorandum issued by the principal.
5. Editorial of criticism - analyzes the faults in a situation. It usually
suggests a solution but it may end with a question regarding the remedy.
ME: It points out the good or the bad features of a problem or
situation mentioned in the news. Its purpose is to influence the
reader. It suggests a solution at the end.
6. Editorial of appreciation - (praise, commendation or tribute) - written
in praise of some person, institution, or activity.
ME: It praises, commends, or pays tribute to a person or
organization that has performed some worthwhile projects or deeds,
or accomplishments Usually, a related news account appears in
some other part of the paper.
7. Editorial of entertainment - light and short but may subtly suggest a
point while it amuses.
ME: It evokes a smile, a chuckle, laughter, while suggesting truth.
Its main aim is to entertain. It is usually short.
In conclusion:
Editorial is the only section were newspaper can state its own opinions
and comments on the current issues. This cannot be done in other
news writing styles such as column and feature writing. But here the
editor has the advantage as the article will be seen as the opinion of
the entire newspaper. It goes on to inform, interpret, convince,
persuade, or entertain the reader.
