EDITORIAL WRITING

Mark Dave M. Camarao

The CTE BULLETIN
Mariano Marcos State University

EDITORIAL WRITING
Mark Dave M. Camarao
The CTE BULLETIN
Mariano Marcos State University

EDITORIAL
is the SOUL of the
newspaper;
the conscience;
borne out of intellect

Editorial Defined
An editorial is an article
in a newspaper giving the
editors view or those
of the person or persons
in control of the paper.
(A. Gayle Waldrop)

Editorial Defined
An editorial is the
expression of the
peoples conscience,
cause, and convictions.
(Joseph Pulitzer )

Editorial Defined
An editorial is the
official stand of the
paper on a relevant
development or issue.
(Ceciliano-Jose Cruz )

Characteristics of a Good Editorial

1.

Interest
- The issue must be
current, important and
critical. It comes from a
news item/story.

Characteristics of a Good Editorial

Write an editorial that is timely.

Killing of 19 soldiers and civilians
MILF-GPH Peace Talks
Marcoss Burial at the Libingan
RH Bill
Divorce Bill

Characteristics of a Good Editorial

2. Brevity
- It must present only one idea
and one stand. It should lead
logically to a conclusion. The
writer must avoid wordiness.

Characteristics of a Good Editorial

Take a stand over an issue.

Positive-PRO
Negative-CON
Neutral

Characteristics of a Good Editorial

3. Force
- A good editorial has sound
reasoning, has moral purpose
and has the power to influence
public opinion.

Characteristics of a Good Editorial

Make strong and forceful arguments.

Use words that are comprehensible to the
reader, with the aim of persuading him to
take the same conviction.

Types of Editorial
Editorial of Information
Editorial of Interpretation
Editorial of Criticism
Editorial of Commendation,
Appreciation or Tribute

Types of Editorial
Editorial of Argumentation
Editorial of Entertainment
Mood Editorial
Special Occasion

How to Write an Editorial

Three parts of an editorial:

1. Introduction
= newspeg + reaction

How to Write an Editorial

What is a NEWSPEG?
This is the issue; facts are found
here;
the background of the issue.
After the newspeg, write your
opinion.

How to Write an Editorial

2

. Body
= paragraphs that
support or justify the
reaction

How to Write an Editorial

Present evidences.
Present the issue
at all angles.
Make clear arguments.

How to Write an Editorial

3. Ending
= the clincher;
summarizes the editorial
stand.

Example of an Introduction
President Benigno Aquino IIIs
plan to implement the K+12 Program,
that is adding two more years in basic
education, is seen as the solution to
the educational dilemma of knee-level
quality education. How ready are we
for this reform?

Example of an Introduction
As Congress deliberates Reproductive Health Bill in
plenary, another controversial legislative measure
was proposed by GABRIELA Rep. Luzviminda
Ilagan, the Divorce Bill or House Bill No.1799 which
seeks to address another legitimate concern of
women who are in injurious situation of failed and
unhappy marriages. With this bill, the clash of
morality in accordance to the teachings of our faith
against the prevailing abuse and violence comes in.
Are we still following the right path or are we just
afraid of being lagged behind that we go with the
route of Malta?

Example of an Introduction
IF THERES A WAY, THERES A WILL.
This very famous proverb was once again
proven true when the National Bureau of
Investigation caught up last September 12
Alvin Flores, the head of the notorious
band of armed robbers, in Compostela
Cebu.

Example of an Introduction
Walang kasing-sakit ang nadarama
ngayong pighati ng mga kaanak at
parokyano ni Fr. Fausto Tentorio, isang
Italyanong misyonaryo sa Mindanao, sa
pamamaslang sa kanya ng mga hindi pa
nakikilalang suspek. Tunay na karumaldumal at walang puso ang kumitil ng
buhay sa nasabing alagad ng Diyos.

Example of an Introduction
Nakakaalarma ang pagtaas ng bilang
ng kaso ng dengue, lalo na ng mga bata.
Ayon sa Kagawaran ng Kalusugan o DOH,
marahil ay nakuha ng ng mga ito sa
kanilang mga paaralan. Isa itong paalala
sa ating lahat na sana ay mapanatili natin
ang kalinisan sa ating paaralan.

BODY OF THE EDITORIAL

Provide more information
about the issue which is
needed in justifying the
stand.

BODY OF THE EDITORIAL

Further prove or justify

the reaction or stand
already
made
in
the
introduction.

Example of a Body
Facing the reality, the Philippines is now lagged behind
other countries in the Asia Pacific region. Japan has 12
years basic elementary cycle, South Korea with 13 years
and some other countries are even contemplating for 14
years. Furthermore, the National Achievement Test for
high school students results also show the deteriorating
quality of education in the country specifically in the core
subjects: English, Mathematics and Science. With the
present educational cycle, according to DepED, there is
an insufficient mastery of the basic competencies due to
the congested 10-year basic education.

Example of a Body
But reality tells us that there is an escalating
number of failed marriages across all Filipino
classes, which result to more serious problems.
Ilagan cites a report by Philippine National Police
in 2009 that showed that 19 women fall victims to
marital violence every day. Among the forms of
violence and abuse against women committed,
wife battery ranked the highest at 6,783 or 72%.

Example of a Body
Ang ganitong klase ng kapatiran ay maituturing
na salot ng lipunan. Paano ba masasabi na ang
ganitong samahan ay makakatulong sa buhay
ng isang tao kung ito mismo ang huhukay sa
sarili nating libingan? Palatandaan ba ang
pasa, galos at pagkapilay ng tunay na
pagkakaibigan?. Kailanman ay hindi kailangan
ng dahas upang mapatunayan ang sinseridad at
dahas upang sukatin ang katapatan sa
samahan.

The Ending
Provides the punch line or
the clincher; tells what should
be done; propels the readers
to action;challenges the wit
and convictions of the readers.

Example of an Ending
The Alvin Flores Group, no doubt, was
only one among several robbery groups
operating today. If our law enforcers have
the capability to destroy a powerful
criminal like Flores with deadly efficiency,
why are such able to survive so long?

Example of an Ending
Family planning should be the
concern of every parent interested in
his childs future with the possibilities
that his child will have an opportunity
to enjoy all the things that give life,
value and meaning.

Example of an Ending
It is for this reason that we are calling the
attention of all teachers to give more
emphasis on teaching values, love of
country, respect for the flag, veneration of
heroes, and proper behaviour during flag
ceremony.
If flag ceremonies cannot be held properly,
why then do we hold them at all?

Example of an Ending
Makaraang mapabalita sa mundo ang
Maguindanao masaker, agad dumating ang
pagkondena sa ma ra ming bansa at hiniling
na imbestigahan ang pangyayari. Isilbi agad
ang hustisya. Pero, matagal nga bago
nakagawa ng aksiyon ang nasa Malacaang.
Kailangan pang sumigaw muna ang
mundo bago kumilos.

Example of an Ending
Ilang Fr. Tentorio pa ang mapapaslang
bago matuldukan ang walang pusong
pagpatay sa mga inosente at walang
kalaban-laban na mamamayan? Ang
gobyerno,
kasama
ang
lahat
ng
mamamayan
ng
Pilipinas,
ay
nakikidalamhati sa pagyayaring ito. Sana
ay mabigyang-katarungan si Fr. Tentorio.

Example of an Ending
We respect the sentiment of the Church but we
recognize the right of women and their children to
live with peace and safety, not deceit, infidelity
nor violence. Maybe, it is now high time that we
embrace dramatic changes in our nation,
including divorce. Let us be open-minded and
sensitive. We must adapt to changing times and
current mores and be relevant to the betterment
of the Filipinos. But shouldered on us is our
responsible exercise of these changes and reforms.

Example of an Ending
The problem among us Filipinos is
that, when a reform is introduced,
critics seem to close their eyes and
keep their mouths shuttering. In crisis,
we blame; in progress, we doubt and
in reform, we oppose and complain.
This is not a good Filipino attitude.

POINTERS
Have a purpose well in mind
which should be accomplished
with sufficient data.
Organize all data into wellreasoned arguments, with
each argument leading up to
the conclusion.

POINTERS
Peg the lead sentence on a
recent relevant news for its
impact value.
Present both sides of an
issue but emphasize more
on the side which supports
your stand.

POINTERS
Direct the editorial
towards the establishment
of a consensus.
Must not carry double
meaning.
Must reflect clear, logical
thinking.

POINTERS
The subject must be
significant.
Sentences and
paragraphs must be
relatively short.

POINTERS
Thank you very much for
listening!
Are you ready to take the
challenge of writing an
editorial?