News editorials are opinion-based articles that present a viewpoint on a current event or issue. They are typically written in first person and are published by media outlets with the aim to persuade readers, raise awareness, or both. Editorials can be categorized into four different types:
Criticize
Criticism editorials are meant to persuade readers by offering constructive criticism of events and actions. While they are less common, criticizing editorials can be very effective in influencing public opinion and inspiring people to take action.
Explain or interpret
An explanation or interpretation editorial provides an overview of a recent news event and attempts to make it more relatable to the reader. These pieces are often found in schools, where they may explain new school policies or student-body efforts, such as a food drive.
Praise
While praise editorials are less commonly seen, they can be a powerful way to encourage action or change the status quo. These editorials compliment people and organizations, aiming to influence readers through positive reinforcement rather than negative criticism.
Refute
When writing an editorial, it’s important to be able to refute the other side of the argument without becoming petty or defensive. It is often helpful to think about how your opponents will argue against you and prepare a few counter points that can be addressed quickly and easily. This will give your editorial a more balanced, persuasive tone and will help readers believe that you are not biased against the opposing point of view.
