How to Write Newspaper Editorials

A newspaper editorial, unlike other forms of newspaper writing, allows you to go into the first person and give your opinion. There is an editorial section in every major newspaper, including "The New York Times," and people like reading them. Writing newspaper editorials requires a writer to follow a few basic steps.

Instructions

1

Get to know the paper and its readers. Writing for a college newspaper is far different than writing for a major newspaper that has tens of thousands of subscribers. Before you begin the editorial, get to know your audience. Ask other writers what these readers are interested in. For example, a first newspaper editorial for a college newspaper might be done on Internet file sharing, which is a topic popular with that age group.

2

Write a feature article first. Before you even write an editorial, get a good understanding of feature articles. If you are beginning as a writer, then you will have to publish many feature articles before an opinion can be offered (in most newspapers). This helps you prove to the newspaper staff that you have the writing chops.

3

Try to get a job working for the newspaper. The majority of the time, people on staff of newspapers write the editorials.

4

Ask editors if they accept submissions. You can still try to publish an editorial in a newspaper even if you are a beginning writer. All you need to do is ask.

5

Brainstorm valid points before you are ready to begin writing your editorial. Just like a school essay, an editorial contains valid points of the topic. It's about more than just writing about a popular topic, however; you need to offer both sides. For example, if you write a piece on Internet file sharing (basically getting things like free music), then just offering your opinion isnt enough. Cover both sides of this issue--for example, talk about the common people downloading music, the artists losing money and the executives who profit most from the music.

6

Offer the editorial as opinion. Even if you bring in both sides, this is still your opinion. This means you can come to a conclusion based on what you think. Dont say, This is my opinion, because that will hurt the credibility of the story. Just state it, remembering that some might disagree with you.