EDITORIAL

WRITING

OPINION-EDITORIAL
(OP-ED) PAGE
Individual
Writer

Majority of
school paper
staff

Column

Editorial

We

The EDITORIAL is the soul of a

newspaper. It is the stand and
the collective view of the
paper of a burning issue.

Editorials aim to inform,

influence or entertain.
Types

Interpretation

presents an anecdote on current situations/events

Commendation, appreciation, or tribute

criticizes an action, policy, program of a certain

official/office/group, etc.

Entertainment

explains a burning or current issue/devt

Criticism

of editorials:

Cites a person, group, office for action/program/policy, etc. that

is deemed good

Argument

Argues for a certain position, point, stance taken

Editorial writing is opinionwriting and essay writing

combined. Crisp, short,
informative, and clear to
the readers.

7 questions to a strong opinion

To

whom would this be written?

Those in power
Average readers
Just ourselves
What's our attitude? (the tone we will
use)
Angry
Pleased
Bothered
Befuddled

 What

are we trying to accomplish?

An official response
A public change of attitude
An explanation
Entertainment
Giving credit where credit is due

What

are we contributing to the debate?

New facts
New arguments/contexts/dimensions

Do

we have something new to say

about this?
Review

whether what you are writing is

really something new or just rehashed
opinions, dimensions.

Does

our position survive the scrutiny?

Anticipate

what your opponent will be

using to argue against whatever your
stand is.

Are

we just lulling our readers to

sleep?
Review

whether the style of writing,

content, and overall presentation
can attract and hold readers
attention

Composition
Editorials

parts:

are made up of 3

Introduction
Body
Conclusion

Composition
Introduction

be tackled.

states outright the issue to

Body

gives a few background facts,

related issues.

Conclusion

usually gives a
recommended action or if it intends to
entertain, then the punchline.

Structure of an Editorial
v Introduction - state the problem
v Body - expresses an opinion &
discusses it
v Solution - offers a solution to the
problem
v Conclusion - emphasizes the main
issue

TOP 1O
TIPS IN WRITING
EDITORIAL

TIP 1 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
Use

the we approach or the

3rd person, since an editorial
represents a group opinion.

TIP 2 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
Build

the opinion from a newspeg.

An editorial is not just a
mere opinion but it is pegged on a
news event, idea, or a news story.

TIP 3 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
For

controversial issues, present

both sides; take up the
advantages and advantages. Ask
the readers to decide or come up
with their opinion or concept.

TIP 4 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
If

you need to take sides, be on

the right track; support and sustain
good deeds; commend
exemplary actions or projects.

TIP 5 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
If

you may attack, attack the

situation, the problem or the issue,
not the person.

TIP 6 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
While

we can educate, inform,

explain, and influence readers
through the editorial, we have to
avoid preachiness.

TIP 7 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
We

can use beautiful language as

we may depending upon the
purpose to be achieved in writing
the editorial.

TIP 8 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
The

editorial title like the lead or

the first sentence or paragraph
should be catchy and one that
attracts or compels readers to
read the story or material.

TIP 9 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
The

conclusion should flow

naturally from the lead to the
details in the development of the
body of the story.

TIP 10 IN WRITING
EDITORIAL
Like

the feature story, the editorial

should have a catchy title,
attractive lead, organized body
and a conclusion that would help
shape readers opinion over issues
and concerns presented.

Dos & Donts:

Research your topic and find out whats
happening and what went on in the past.
Know the facts and be able to refer to
them in your argument.
Use facts and details to back up your
opinion and help you make your case.

Dos & Donts:

Leave your readers with a lasting
impression -- a strong point that will
make them consider your point of view.
Dont preach to the reader. A good
editorial will make readers take notice of
the situation and form their own opinions
on the issue.

When the Records Speak

This is the year 2010. And the records say
that we have, by high standards, attained it.
The numbers dictate that the Philippines is
now a country where there reigns gender
equality and the discrimination against
women has markedly declined. But are the
statistics accurate? Could the numbers our
leaders boast of to the entire world, be
wrong?

According to an article, posted by the United

Nations (http://www.undp.org.ph/?link=goal_
3) which focused on our countrys progress
considering the aspect of gender equality, as part of
the eight Millennium Development Goals, there are
more female students who attend elementary schools
than there are males. In the school year (SY) 20052006 alone, the participation rate of females was
85.35 percent as compared to 83.56 percent for the
males. Also, the rate of female survival rate, as well as
life expectancy is in general, higher than that of
males. Women are expected to live until the age of
72.5 years compared to 67.2 years men are expected
to live.

So we have women who live longer than men,

and girls who attend school much more than boys.
But does this prove anything? Are we living in a
society where there is no discrimination between the
sexes or are we just fooling ourselves? What happens
when women get out of college? Are they treated
fairly? Or do they suddenly find themselves struggling
because men are the more favored? What about the
other genders? Those who are considered by the
country as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or a transgender?
Have they been accepted in society? Or do they
suffer still, insults and curses upon curses?

The Filipina is allowed to work. She is allowed to work

where she pleases, when she pleases, and how she
pleases; that is, considering she received a good
education. Otherwise, the Filipina becomes prey to those
who see her as an object for pleasure, an object to
abuse. These are facts. You can ask most any one, and
they will tell you the same thing.
Then comes the issue of the positions granted to
women at work, not to mention their salary. In the United
States alone, women were paid 77 cents for every dollar
men were paid. This was stated in a fact sheet that
focused on the statistics of working women, and was
posted on the web (http://www.aflcio.org/issues/jobs
economy/women/). The fact sheet also showed that

African American women only earn 72 cents,

and Latinas 59 cents for every dollar men are paid.
Although such is not the case in the Philippines, our
women enjoy limited benefits and protection when
compared to our men. Also, recent surveys have
shown that men are more often than not, favored for
higher positions in office than women are.
Now to the second issue, that of the other sexes
present in our society; the gays, lesbians, bisexuals,
and transgender. We, as a people are aware of their
existence, and, because of our strong Christian roots,
treat them with as much respect as possible.
Although this might not be the case for every citizen,
we can see that, in schools nationwide,

more and more children are beginning to understand

why there are other genders aside from the standard
male and female. In fact, students now show little
discrimination against these sexes. They have learned
to laugh, play, and study in harmony with their
classmates who show the characteristics of the
different sexes.
This is the year 2010. And the records say that
we have, by high standards, attained it. The numbers
dictate that the Philippines is now a country where
there reigns gender equality and the discrimination
against women has markedly declined.

The records have proven to be true. The

Philippines is a country where equality reigns, and
justice for the genders dominate. We might have
lapses, but they are few compared to those of other
countries, and besides, we can still improve.
The Philippines can still improve.
The World can still improve.
Tomorrow is still on the horizon. But today,
everyone is equal.
In our country, women are strong, beautiful,
and appreciated. Our children are peace-loving and
open-minded. And our nation upholds the dignity of
each and every one.

This is the year 2010. And the records have

proven to be true.

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 02:13 PM Arianne Patricia

Onte (Second Place, High School - English) Online
Writing Contest Entries 2010

END