So I just finished my editorial on senior week, based on a borough discussion panel that included a couple of school administrators and college students; "Senior week panel a good first step in addressing concerns (6/9/2010)."
I would like to offer "y'all" (as Kat would say) some tips about writing your editorial, since we are all encouraged to write at least one this summer. I had never wrote one alone before, so I came across a few challenges, hopefully I can help direct some of you in the right direction for your own editorial.
Editorial Writing:
-Develop an argument: State early on in the editorial what your argument is about. It can be a negative or positive view, but you may need to discuss your topic/view with DLN before getting too deep in the writing process (to make sure it will be OK with the paper's morals/ethics).
-Try to pick a topic that is timely: It is suggested by journalists that the more current (past week/month) your topic is the better. For example, my editorial was about senior week and what students should be cautious of as they leave for the "beach week" within the next couple weeks.
-"Our Middle Name is Local!": So yeah, what that former DLN writer said...we are a local paper, so if you can find a topic that affects the county, that would be ideal (I would imagine).
-Write in the third person: The goal is to provide a consensus of the entire editorial board of the media outlet you are working in. However, I was instructed to use my best judgment and construct an editorial based off what I think the editorial board would agree with. (since I didn't have the chance to meet with the DLN staff to discuss the issue at hand) But, if you choose a controversial topic, you may have to discuss your angle with staff writers/editors.
-Suggestion on how to end the editorial: You should have some sort of definitive statement to complete your argument. See the ending to my editorial that Kat helped out with below...
We think the biggest step is the one the WCCTC has already taken — starting the discussion. While most people are aware that many recent graduates get their hands on alcohol at senior week, it can be hard to bring the subject up. As graduates transition to life out of high school, whether that means college or not, it usually means being confronted with more situations that involve alcohol — and to deal, graduates still need guidance and a trusted space for open discussion.
Make sure you get the editorial done in advance, so the editorial board has a chance to look over what you wrote (and they can get an opportunity to edit/rewrite whatever they want).
Length: 400-500 words is recommended, but it depends on your issue/topic
Resource: Univ. of the Pacific
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