Definition of an Editorial

The subject matter of an editorial commonly concerns a current issue that affects a particular
demographic that strongly support or reject it. Editors of newspapers and other publications use
their newspapers as a forum to express their views and try to influence the opinions of the
readership. Unlike other parts of a news publication that are dedicated to providing balanced,
unbiased accounts of newsworthy events, an editorial is meant to be biased, somewhat insightful
and often includes persuasive writing techniques.
Editorial Structure

Regardless of the point of view or length of the editorial, there is a preferred structure for writing
it.

Introduction

State your topic up front, explain its history and affirm why it is relevant and who is affected by
it. Clearly word your opinion and the main reason you have embraced it.

Body

Support your position with another reason. Acknowledge counter arguments and opinions.
Present relevant facts and statistics and include ethical or moral reasons for your stand. Give an
example of what you think would be the best approach to or outcome of the situation.

Conclusion

Make an emotional or passionate statement regarding why your opinion or proposed solution is
better than others. Tie up the piece by clearly restating your stance.

Editorial Writing Tips

-To keep the piece professional and powerful, keep some guidelines in mind while writing the
editorial.
-Cite positions and quotes from community and business leaders, politicians or applicable
business professionals to support your views and present informed arguments.
-Avoid using first person syntax. Although the editorial is your opinion, using the word "I"
weakens the impact of your statements and makes it sound like you are whining rather than
offering viable comments or solutions. Cleverly word your statements and opinions so they read
like facts.
-Keep on topic and avoid rambling. Succinctly stated arguments are the most effective.

Example 1
Hang Up and Drive

You see it every day, especially in freeway traffic. A car is weaving back and forth,
speeding up then slowing down, or suddenly stopping. No, its not a drunk driver. Its a cell-
phone driver. Cell phones are used everywhere, but on the road they are a dangerous distraction
to drivers and should be prohibited.

The New England Journal of Medicine reported that motorists using a cell phone were
four times more likely to have an accident than those not using a phone. The major problem is
that the driver is not focused on the road, but on his or her conversation. Cell-phone drivers are
very unpredictable: they weave, tailgate, drive too fast or too slow, make improper turns, run red
lights, and even stop at green ones. Its not only annoying; its hazardous. Cell-phone-related
accidents include rear-ending vehicles; running off a road and crashing into trees, fences, and
buildings; flipping over; and having head-on collisions. Many of these accidents result in
fatalities. In October at the California Traffic Safety Summit, experts testified that cell phones
used by drivers lead to at least 1,000 deaths per year in California. These are the same problems
that occur with drunk driving, which is strictly outlawed and harshly enforced. For the same
reasons, California needs laws that restrict the use of cell phones in cars.

Until we take action to pass new laws, drivers at least need to be more responsible when
using cell phones. The American Automobile Association recommends that drivers pull off the
road before using a cell phone, have a passenger use it for them, or use voice mail to answer
calls. Another suggestion is to keep the phone off while moving or simply not use it in the car.
Before using a cell phone, drivers should think to themselves, Is this call really that important?

Cell phones can be a vital link in emergencies, but drivers need to use them wisely. As
professional NASCAR racer John Andretti says, Driving safely is your first responsibility. The
best road to safety is to just hang up and drive.

Uniforms benefit students

Nothing like years of recession, and irritating commercials for back-to-school
clothing to reinforce the excellent idea of requiring students to wear uniforms in our
public schools. Add years of disappointing test scores, and increasing violence and
bullying in schools to that list.

Many school districts across the country have instituted uniforms since the mid-
1990s, to resounding success and support from parents, teachers and students. It's
time for Washington schools to add this sound educational practice, rather than
leaving it up to parents and PTAs at individual schools to push for a wardrobe
change. Which is exactly what parents did at Whittier Elementary in the Everett
School District, which introduced uniforms 16 years ago, the same year President
Clinton endorsed the idea in a speech. Whittier is a model of how and why uniforms
work.

First and foremost, school uniforms bridge the socioeconomic gap between
students. They set a professional tone for learning, and help students' self-esteem.
(Schools provide financial assistance and/or free uniforms for families who qualify.
Whittier regularly holds gently-used-uniform sales.) Suffice it to say, uniforms make
getting dressed in the morning easier for parents and students.

Schools in California and elsewhere that have adopted uniforms report less truancy,
gang and drug activity. They report more order and better behavior in the
classrooms, creating environments more conducive to learning.

For those who still don't believe in the benefits, consider the power of the athletic
uniform, in which we happily outfit our students in full regalia for competition. The
loyalty created simply by wearing "purple and gold," for example, is powerful.
Academic achievers these days wear letter jackets like the jocks do. The
cheerleaders, the drill team, and band members all sport uniforms, proud members
of their group, representing the bigger organization of the school.

So what's wrong then with an academic uniform? Why not help foster this sense of
belonging, and sense of being dressed for success, in every student, for the
extremely important role of being a student?

Critics who argue school uniforms crimp our youngsters' self-expression or

individuality are mistaken that wearing attention-getting T-shirt slogans or droopy
pants are examples of "non-conformity." Please. Part of school is learning that self-
expression and individuality come from within.

Athletes all wear the same uniform, but we celebrate the individuals who make up
the team. Their personalities and skills shine through their performance, hindered
not at all by wearing the same jerseys. The same pertains to academic uniforms.
What school couldn't use more cohesion, more teamwork, and a greater sense of
readiness to tackle the educational tasks at hand, together?