Writing an editorial

In a way, writing an editorial is just the next step up from writing a news report. You're telling some sort of current story, but then you provide your spin on it. Think of it like the commentary you see on sports games or on talk shows.

So if you have an idea of what you're trying to say, then you're already in a pretty good position. Beware, though: there's a load of people with their claws out, and not all of them are automatically going to be on your side. It's up to you to convince your readers that you're worth being heard.

Here are a few things to think about...

1. Tie your point into the real world. If you've done debate, you will know about how important this point is. Think ARE - that's assertions, reasoning, and evidence. Don't just limit yourself to your personal reading of the issue at hand, but actually take some time to analyze it and where it shows up in real life. Research and statistics can be good for backing up your arguments, but they should be connected to it by your reasoning as well.

2. Think about how it affects you/your audience. Imagine that your reader has never heard of the topic you are writing about. How will you ever get them to care?

Well, they're reading your editorial because they have something to gain from it. In other words, they have a stake in seeing where your train of thought is going--and you can capitalize on that. This is the next step from the first point--you tie your point into the real world, and then you tie it to your reader. That's the jump from a merely educational editorial to an effective one, because it makes the audience care.

3. Don't be afraid to be assertive...people have opinions, and sometimes those opinions clash. That doesn't mean that you need to apologize for the viewpoint you hold--if you stick to what you say and back it up, then they will respect it. That said...

4. Just don't be combative. If you've ever argued with your parents, there will have been a time when you knew what they were saying was right, yet you completely disregarded it anyway. That's natural; humans do not easily accept points from people who they feel are being disrespectful or condescending.

Nobody likes the loudmouth in the class who knows their stuff but is always an ass about it. You don't want to be that guy. Taking a professional tone ("I take issue with this, and here's why.") instead of an overly personal one ("They're such awful sexist pigs for saying that and Girl's Generation rules!") only makes you look more credible. Be willing to let in opposing viewpoints into your article, because the process of considering and taking from those will only serve to enrich your arguments in the long run.

Great job making it to the end of this! Now you have the skills necessary to write an editorial about the pointlessness of writing editorials so you can prove me wrong on all of these counts.

-Moses Kim