009 010 Eng 119 Campjourn

LEARNING MODULE IN ENG 119: CAMPUS JOURNALISM
First Semester, AY 2023-2024

Module No. 9-10 Inclusive 9-10
Week
References
Khan, R. (2017) Campus journalism, 2nd edition. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Anvil Publishing Inc.
Pangilinan, E. (1988). Journalism handbook, revised edition. Quezon City, Philippines: National Book Store Inc.
Module Content
WRITING THE EDITORIAL
Editorial Page
The editorial page is said to be the soul of the newspaper. It contains the masthead, the editorial, the editorial column, the readers’ views, and the editorial cartoon. The
editorial page of a school paper is a forum for students’ opinions. School problems are analyzed, discussed and possibly solved. While the editor and his staff take the
lead, non-staffers are also encouraged to give their contributions.
1. Masthead – contains a permanent typographical character. Besides the name of the paper, the masthead contains the frequency of publication, place of
publication, the staff members and the emblem.
2. Editorial platform – is usually in the form of one or two brief statements of purpose and ideals. It appears regularly without change on the editorial page next to
the masthead.
3. Editorial policy – is determined by traditions, practices, policies of the school, the students’ voice as expressed through the editors, the student government and
other recognized student leaders. The editorial always conforms to the editorial policy.
4. Editorial – is the newspaper’s means of advising the reader of the significance of events. It helps the readers to sift, digest and evaluate. Usually growing out of
the news events, it goes on to inform, interpret, convince, persuade or entertain the reader.
Sources of Editorial Topics

1. The news – an editorial is pegged to a current happening will more likely be read and have an effect.
2. Research – wide reading, gathering of factual data, mulling over the material must precede the writing
3. Special occasions – care must be taken to avoid repetition of hackneyed ideas or similar occasions
Structure of the Editorial
Although there is no limit to the variety of forms, the editorial generally has three parts:
1. A beginning to introduce the topic
1 |ENG 119: CAMPUS JOURNALISM
2. The building of the case through a logical sequence
3. The conclusion which either summarizes or drives home the point
Types of Editorials
*Note that some of the types may be overlapping
1. Informative editorial – may define terms and issues, identify persons and factors, provide historical and geographical background when necessary. It may
examine the motives of persons or suggest the consequences of various courses of action. It involves little or no expression of opinion.
2. Argumentative editorial – takes a stand on controversial issue and lines up its reasons in logical way. Occasionally, it may present both sides.
3. Editorial of persuasion – enlists the readers’ support of a program or a plan of action. It gives reasons for support. In closing, it cites advantages to be gained or
contains a plea for action.
4. Editorial of interpretation or comment – explains the significance of a recent news event in relation to other events. Dealing with a familiar topic of interest as
the starting point for discussion, it may also be called a peg-hung editorial.
5. Editorial of criticism – analyzes the faults in the situation. It usually suggests a solution but it may end with a question regarding the remedy.
6. Editorial of appreciation (praise, commendation, or tribute) – written in praise of some person, institution, or activity. Usually, a related news account appears in
some other part of the paper. The opening presents the subject; it usually omits a long introduction; the body analyzes the incident or elements; the ending
indicates the value or significance of those incidents or elements.
7. Editorial of entertainment – light and short but may subtly suggest a point while it muses
8. News editorial – a summary of events pertaining to one topic. It is presented in such a way that the editorial opinion is clear, whether stated or merely implied.
9. Editorial of survey and review – gathers and crystallizes opinion of various sectors, traces development of a group or institution, or traces the historical
background of a situation.
10. Editorial of refutation – written in answer to an opposite opinion expressed in another publication or even in casual talk.
11. Ironical editorial – suggests the opposite in such an exaggerated manner that the real purpose is obvious.
12. Editorial of analogy – presents a comparison of two entirely different things in order to explain:
a. the unfamiliar through the familiar
b. the complicated through the simple
c. the abstract through the concrete
Writing the Editorial

A. Planning the editorial
1. Make sure that it does not go against any foxed policy of the paper
2. Be sure that the topic is of interest to the reader. Prefer current topics, especially controversial ones. However, do not manufacture issues
3. Limit your article to only one aspect of your chosen subject.

4. Have a purpose well in mind.
5. Obtain sufficient data.
6. Think through your topic and develop fully.
7. Take a stand on controversial issues
8. Use sound reasoning. Make each step lead logically to the conclusion
B. Writing the editorial

1. Be brief (not more than 300 words); however, you may use longer sentences and paragraphs than in the news story.
2. Write simply and directly. You may use more formal language and a wider vocabulary than in news writing.
3. Be impersonal. Use the third person or the impersonal “we”. Never use “I” except in direct quotations.
4. Be sincere rather than “smart”.
5. Write clearly.
6. Write vigorously.
7. Present facts, rather than mere opinion.
8. Be authoritative, but don’t preach.
9. Use various devices to catch and keep the reader’s interest, such as:
a. A striking title – which may arouse the reader’s curiosity or suggest the topic
b. A good lead
c. Illustration in the form of a brief narrative
d. Authority to support your facts or arguments
e. Analogy
f. Comparison and contrast
10. End the editorial properly
11. Relate the editorial to the lives of your readers
12. Use catchy but not flippant titles
Editorial Leads
1. A simple statement of the situation, problem or news events to be written about
2. A question challenging situation
3. A striking statement arousing reader interest
4. A narration
5. A vital question
Checking the Editorial

When you have finished writing the editorial, check it with the list of questions. If you can answer YES to all of them, you may be sure that you have an effective
editorial. Your NO answer will suggest points that needs improvement.
1. Are the form and the style appropriate to the content and purpose?
2. Does it have a purpose and does it seem to accomplish that purpose?
3. Does it make the reader think?
4. Does it reflect the writer’s originality and ingenuity?
5. Is the writing clear, vigorous, direct and simple?
6. Is the diction exact, not ambiguous?
7. Does the editorial reflect clear logical thinking?
8. Does it give evidence of accurate knowledge?
9. Does it sound sincere?
10. Does the opening sentence get the reader involved?
11. Are the paragraphs comparatively short?
12. Is the editorial brief and pointed?
13. Is the subject matter of significance to students?
14. Is there a real or artificial news peg?
15. Does the editorial make its point without preaching?
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, the student must have:
1. Comprehension and understanding of the process of writing the editorial
2. Written an editorial article
3. Appreciated the value of one’s knowledge of editorial writing process
Graduate Attributes
o Truth seeker

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LEARNING MODULE IN ENG 119: CAMPUS JOURNALISM

First Semester, AY 2023-2024

WRITING THE EDITORIAL

Sources of Editorial Topics

Structure of the Editorial

*Note that some of the types may be overlapping

Writing the Editorial

2 |ENG 119: CAMPUS JOURNALISM

B. Writing the editorial

3 |ENG 119: CAMPUS JOURNALISM

4 |ENG 119: CAMPUS JOURNALISM

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