Editorials, Editorials, Columns Columns and Lettersand Letters
Things to think Things to think about when it about when it comes to comes to student opinion student opinion in the scholastic in the scholastic presspress
Karl GrubaughKarl Grubaugh
Granite Bay (Calif.) Granite Bay (Calif.) HSHS
Editorial Editorial PoliciesPolicies Yes, you need one; keep it simpleYes, you need one; keep it simple
What should go in it? Ideas:What should go in it? Ideas: Get some distance between the Get some distance between the
newspaper and school officials, newspaper and school officials, non-J students … and younon-J students … and you
Cite the Constitution and state lawCite the Constitution and state law Include letters to the editor policyInclude letters to the editor policy Include advertising and guest Include advertising and guest
commentary policies (reasons for commentary policies (reasons for why you won’t publish materials)why you won’t publish materials)
Editorials: Editorials: The voice of The voice of the the newspapernewspaper• A byline? Probably not.• Input from other editors? Probably
so.• Here’s a cool format I found years
ago that you can use, too.
Editorial Editorial StructureStructure Catch Attention: Catch Attention:
Commit:Commit:
ConcedeConcede
Counter: Strong argumentCounter: Strong argument
Convince: Stronger Convince: Stronger argument argument
Editorial Structure, Editorial Structure, continuedcontinued Clinch: Strongest Clinch: Strongest argument argument
Commit again: Commit again:
Cap it off:Cap it off:
A final note:A final note:
Types of Types of editorialseditorials
Focus? Significant news topic Focus? Significant news topic with a current news hook with a current news hook
Four types:Four types:– Explain/interpret: how the newspaper Explain/interpret: how the newspaper
covered a sensitive topic (we often covered a sensitive topic (we often try to link our editorial to a story on try to link our editorial to a story on A1)A1)
– Criticize: Constructively criticize Criticize: Constructively criticize actions, decisions, situations. Offer actions, decisions, situations. Offer solutions!solutions!
– Persuade: Focus first on the solution; Persuade: Focus first on the solution; encourage specific, positive action.encourage specific, positive action.
– Praise: Commend people and/or Praise: Commend people and/or organizations; more rare.organizations; more rare.
Style? Typically thoughtful, Style? Typically thoughtful, considered, careful, reflective, considered, careful, reflective, serious serious
Thanks to Alan Weintraut Thanks to Alan Weintraut of Annandale, Va.of Annandale, Va.
Column Column writingwriting
Purpose?Purpose?– Entertainment/humorEntertainment/humor– InformationInformation– IndignationIndignation– Etc.Etc.
Who are some of your faves?Who are some of your faves?– Leonard PittsLeonard Pitts– Rick ReillyRick Reilly– Maureen DowdMaureen Dowd– Gene WeingartenGene Weingarten– Others? Others?
How do you teach column writing?How do you teach column writing?– Not easy (is it a gift?)Not easy (is it a gift?)– I regularly print a column for my staff meetings, have I regularly print a column for my staff meetings, have
kids read it, and discuss why it works kids read it, and discuss why it works – Being published in the Gazette op-ed section is Being published in the Gazette op-ed section is
COMPETITIVE!COMPETITIVE!– Try to avoid too many first-person, Chicken Soup For Try to avoid too many first-person, Chicken Soup For
the Soul-style essays – the best columnists are also the Soul-style essays – the best columnists are also excellent REPORTERS!excellent REPORTERS!
What What about about letters?letters?
Yes, you want letters to the editorYes, you want letters to the editor
No, you don’t want to get into a pissing No, you don’t want to get into a pissing match with readersmatch with readers
Let readers have the final sayLet readers have the final say
How to lose a libel judgmentHow to lose a libel judgment The publication cannot hide behind a The publication cannot hide behind a
defense of “we didn’t write the letter, defense of “we didn’t write the letter, we just published it”we just published it”
Limit the length of letters – 250 words?Limit the length of letters – 250 words?
Decide in advance how you’ll deal with Decide in advance how you’ll deal with grammar, spelling, etc.grammar, spelling, etc.
We edit letters the same way we edit We edit letters the same way we edit columns and editorials – it’s a bit of a columns and editorials – it’s a bit of a cheap shot to make letter writers look cheap shot to make letter writers look stupidstupid
Other Other ideas/issues ideas/issues in your in your op-ed op-ed sectionssections
ForumsForums Heard on the Bay (on Heard on the Bay (on
the street Q&A)the street Q&A) Editorial cartoons– Editorial cartoons–
single panels and stripssingle panels and strips Thumbs up, thumbs Thumbs up, thumbs
downdown Point/CounterpointPoint/Counterpoint Design issues: Big Design issues: Big
illustrations, column illustrations, column mugs, drop caps, etc.mugs, drop caps, etc.
Thanks!Thanks!
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