Editorials

Todays lesson will focus on you investigating and planning an editorial. How To Use the Slideshow Read EVERY slide. If it is written in purple, copy it into your English book. If it is green, it is an activity for you to complete in your English book. You do not need to write the question. All other text is for your information.

Editorials
What is an editorial?
Lets look at the word: editorial. What root word can we see? Editor. Ok. So its written by an editor (usually. Sometimes, a senior member of staff will write it). An editorial is an opinion piece. It is a persuasive text in which an editor or senior member of staff presents and justifies their opinion on a particular issue.

Similar Text Types

Letter to the editor Feature article Exposition What sets the editorial apart is that it must reflect the point of view of the organisation or company behind the publication. For example, the editor of Catholic Weekly could never write an editorial arguing for pro-choice because the Catholic Church, the organisation behind Catholic Weekly, does not believe in pro-choice. Editor and publication need to be on the same team. Example: In class, we are talking about how much homework youre all getting. You are trying to convince me that homework is pointless and I shouldnt give you any for the holidays. Why can I not agree with you?

Editorial v. Letter to the Editor

Editorials differ from letters to the editor on several key points: Aspect Author Whose opinion? Editorial Editor/senior staff Represents the point of view of the publication One per publication Letter to the Editor Member of the public Individual writer

How many?

Many letters are published, often with conflicting viewpoints.

Structure
Headline catchy and clever, usually containing figurative language such as a pun, metaphor or rhetorical question. Introductory paragraph introduces issue and the point of view to be argued. Body paragraphs discuss arguments to support the overall point of view and back these up with evidence. Conclusion restates perspective and calls the reader to action.

Language Features
Connectives e.g. firstly, secondly, lastly. Cause and effect conjunctions e.g. as a result, consequently. High modality must, Persuasive adverbs e.g. definitely, certainly. Rhetorical questions Inclusive language

Catchy Headlines
Headlines need to catch the readers attention This might be done by appealing to our emotions make us sad, angry, sympathetic and well read on Figurative language such as puns, metaphors or rhetorical questions also work.

Example Headlines

Does toll have a double meaning?

One lane on bridge is too great a toll What is the pun (play on words) in the above headline. Hint: think about double meanings for the word toll. Stop rorting our welfare system How does the above headline get your attention? Which emotion does it appeal to? Dont forget to write about
this word in your answer.

Example

Writing Task
The Panem Gazette is publishing a special Hunger Games Finale edition. As the editor of the newspaper, you will need to write an editorial which expresses your opinion of the Games and the way in which Suzanne Collins has described the Games to Panem citizens and foreigners. Remember that, as editor of the national newspaper, you are a representative of the Capitol. Your challenge, ladies, is to persuade me, the reader, to accept an opinion that you probably dont believe yourself. The Capitol is controlling their people through fear (a terror state). They would also be controlling their media. Think about what the newspaper would be allowed to publish and what Capitol ideas they would be expected to uphold. On your scaffold, plan the editorial you would write. You may use quotes from the book in your evidence.