Editorial is a piece of news or opinion that presents the writer’s point of view on a subject. It is different than an article and it usually focuses on current events or controversial issues. A good editorial is thought provoking and engages the reader to take action on the issue at hand.
Many school and college magazines have an editorial page where they feature articles written by staff members. They typically contain an introduction, main body paragraphs and a conclusion. The editorials should reflect the magazine’s culture and standards while providing a balance of viewpoints. The editorial should not be an attack on a particular person or organization, but rather offer a solution to a problem.
Some editorial pieces are aimed at persuading readers, while others are meant to criticize or inspire. There are four different types of editorial journalism:
An interpretation editorial is a news story that seeks to explain the significance or meaning of a specific event. A criticism editorial aims to persuade the reader by arguing for or against an issue. A praising editorial is used to show appreciation for a person, idea or event.
An effective editorial is well argued with supporting evidence, objective analysis and personal experience. It also needs to be respectful and engaging, promoting discussion on the topic at hand. Ideally, it should have the “quinoa effect.” This means that it is either loved or hated.