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Writing Editorials and Columns

An editorial is an article in a publication that expresses an opinion on an issue or topic. It is usually written by the editor or one of the writers on his or her behalf and it represents the views of the newspaper. Sometimes, writers will sign their own names to their editorials and state that the views in the editorial are theirs alone and do not represent the paper as a whole.

 

But within the editorial section, you’ll find other people’s opinions on the same subject or others. They are known as columns.

Think of an opinion piece as a persuasive essay — the writer has an opinion or a point of view on an issue and he or she wants to convince the reader to agree. This is not as easy as it may seem. You must research your topic and find out what’s happening and what went on in the past. You must know the facts and be able to refer to them in your argument. Pretend you are a lawyer, making a case before a jury. You want to convince the members of the jury to believe that your client is right — so you present as much evidence as you can that proves the point. Do the same when you write a column or editorial.

 

Here’s an example:

Let’s say you want to write an editorial supporting capital punishment. You want to convince your readers that someone who commits murder should receive a death sentence. You must start by collecting the facts. When did Canada put an end to capital punishment? What were the arguments used to do that? When did people start talking about re-introducing the death penalty? What cases have prompted debate on this issue? What examples can you find to support your argument for capital punishment? You must also consider the other side of the argument. What would people who oppose the death penalty say? How would you respond to their points?

 

When you are writing your opinion piece, start with your basic premise or theme. Then, use facts and details to back up your opinion and help you make your case. Leave your readers with a lasting impression -- a strong point that will make them consider their own point of view. You don’t need to preach to the reader. A good editorial will make readers take notice of the situation and form their own opinions on the issue.

The possible topics for editorials and columns are almost endless because everyone has an opinion on everything! They could include legal or political issues such as gun control or Canada’s economy, minority rights or international politics. Or you could look at issues facing people in your own community — such as a decision to demolish a historic building or the controversy surrounding a new law against skateboarding.

Take a look at any of the stories in your daily paper or in this recent issues of SNN. Try to form your own opinions, based on what you’ve read and what you already know or believe. Why not put those views down in an editorial or column of your own? 

 
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