Lesson 4.1 Finals Comm 14

1 PUBLICATION EDITING (Comm 14) Lesson 2.6: FINALS PART II: INSIDE THE PUBLICATION The Editorial Page

THE EDITORIAL PAGE











One of the most important parts of a daily newspaper. It is there where opinions can be aired, and the “news behind the news” on page one can be bared. Writing of straight news is no longer enough. People are continually seeking not only information of news events, but also the background, the explanation and interpretation of such events so that they can build or at least reinforce their opinions about what is happening in the world or likely to happen tomorrow or the next month. Provides a place for a column of news behind the news written by special reporters who have unusual facilities for explaining behind-the-scene events. Function of print media to explain and interpret the news - - and understandable analyses of the complicated problems that trouble people. And since an editorial is analytical interpretation of significant usually contemporary events, it retains the king’s size share of attention from today’s press. An editorial may either inform, influence or entertain the readers of the publication and therefore, its writing requires a certain degree of skill. A fresh approach to an editorial topic requires time for research, time for thinking and evaluating and time for writing.

THE PRIME FUNCTION











Declare the newspaper’s policies and principles. May argue, attack, criticize and try to persuade the readers to accept its guiding principles. Readers expect newspaper “to take stand” upon important issues. Carries editorial columns, reader’s forum or “letters to the editor,” editorial cartoons and a variety of interpretative news analyses. Greatest single advantage of the editorial page is that is provides a legitimate for the expression of opinion and for the exposure of bias. A good editorial page shows leadership, entertainment, variety and interpretation of the daily events. Editorials are the heartbeat of any newspaper or editorials are the newspaper’s opinion or stand on major policies or issues affecting the people. An editorial is made objective by weighing both sides of a controversy with a broad perspective and a deep understanding before deciding which side to fight for. Editorially, a newspaper should be objective only as to purpose. But once it has determined what is right in a given issue it should pull no punches. Not to get the opinion first, but to look for evidence to bolster this opinion.

2 WRITING AN EDITORIAL












Must be done routinely or with originality. Parts: title, lead or introduction, body and conclusion, summary or appeal to action. An editorial would not be an editorial if it did not at least cite an event or occasion and present an editorial reaction or appeal. Without that it would be an essay. That is why an editorial writer starts with his main theme, then works into the introduction, body and conclusion and finally picks the title. “There are an opening statement of the question and interpretation or explanation of the statement. The first part is usually very brief and may consist only of the news on which the editorial is based. It is the second section which is the important contribution of the editorial writer and which interprets, explains, appraises or performs the other specific functions.” “Where the third section is added, its purpose is to drive home a last important thought or direction. This conclusion may be in the form of an exhortation, plea, advice or command. Or it may be a simple summary. Or it may be a separate important point towards which the other parts have been leading. Its appearance and other parts have been leading. Its appearance and form depend upon the nature of the subject created.” The editorial writer succeeds best when style is clear, vigorous, direct and simple. The accuracy and purity of his style are a reflection of his thinking.

FUNCTIONS OF THE EDITORIAL WRITER


An editorial is an expression of fact and opinion in concise, logical, pleasing order for the sake of entertaining, of influencing opinion, or of interpreting to the average reader will be clear.

Functions: 1. Explaining the news. 2. Filling the background. Analyzing the short-run trend of history. 3. Forecasting the future. Having gone so far in the analysis of current events, the editorial writer finds it easy to take the next step and to foretell 4. Passing moral judgment. Editorial writer serves as an unofficial keeper of the public conscience.

TYPES OF EDITORIALS 1. Editorial of interpretation – designed to interpret news and events, in an objective, factual, dispassionate manner, so as to translate, elucidate and construe in the light of individual belief or interest. The editorial writer is expected to make an analysis of the issues so as to present the facts in a meaningful perspective. The editorial writer vies the events with particular readers in mind and interprets the affairs of the world as to how they would affect the people in the community.

3 2. Editorial of criticism – designed to exhort the readers to act on certain issues. The editorial writer points out the bad and good features of social problems affecting the nation. Frequently written to expose corruption in the government and the community and to advocate for total reforms and social change. When an editorial writer employs this form, he hopes for a definite and prompt action on the part of the leaders and the general public. 3. Editorial of entertainment – shows “the pathos and comedy in the news.” Often this light type of editorial reflects the human interest angle with the view to create a “certain smile” on the part of the readers. 4. Editorial of commendation, appreciation or tribute – analytical judgment on the affairs of the nation. Praise and makes worthy commendations for successes achievements of various leaders, educators, scientists and other publics. 5. Editorial of argument – designed to argue for the benefits of the readers.

FUNCTION OF THE EDITORIAL COLUMN – “Watchdog” THE NATURE OF THE READER’S COLUMN





Means of promoting reader participation and of obtaining useful guidelines about the local opinion. Readers “should be encouraged to express their opinions, their fears, their hopes. Publication of the readers’ letters is entirely at the sound discretion of the editor. The letters of the readers are the actual feel of the “stresses and strains of life in a highly organized and competitive society.”

EDITORIAL CARTOONS






Editorials in pictorial form. Depict social, political, economic, cultural and historical conditions which may catch the attention of the readers. Primarily designed to crystallize ideas regarding current affairs of a changing society Vehicles for ridicule, for criticism and also to entertain or to exert an influence on the part of the reading public. Cartoons play a vital and effective function in influencing public opinion.