How to write an editorial article
Roger Graves
Director, Writing Across the Curriculum
Goals
1. Identify, describe and discuss the main
theories and concepts in the sociology of
development literature
Goals
2. Apply these theories to environmental issues,
particularly in regards to unequal access to
resources (including privileged discourses).
3. Relate outside reading and observations of
the world around you to theories and concepts
from the sociology of development.
Opinion editorial
2. Opinion editorial 25% +5%
You are required to prepare a 500-800 words opinion editorial on a current
environment and development topic (local or international). Please provide a
supporting document showing your sources (e.g., newspapers, magazines,
online sources, documentaries and academic texts). In this essay you will
describe the issue and your stance on it, key values at stake; in the supporting
document you will have an annotated list of at least seven sources. This is worth
25% of your grade and is due in class on Tuesday,
December 2.
In order to help you write a successful op-ed, you are required to submit a
paragraph describing the topic and issue that you wish to explore in your paper,
and identify and describe the major stakeholders supported by three references.
The paragraph with 3 sources is worth 5% of your grade, and is due Tuesday
October 21 in class.
Guidelines for Opinion editorial
Please use the following format for Opinion editorial:
• The editorial should be 500-800 words double-spaced, no title page;
• Describe the issue (relevant history, current state of the debate, specific
issue you wish to weigh in on);
• Explain your position;
• Use sources to inform your argument, not cited but with a list of at least 5
sources turned in with your essay. You should provide a brief (~150 word)
recap of these sources.
• Attempt to integrate theory into first version; must be included in second
version.
• Provide a byline (name, affiliation).
Opinion editorial as genre
Connect to current events
Announce a very specific topic & perspective
Language is informal, journalistic
Build an argument
Use analogies
Provide solutions
http://www.udemy.com/blog/how-to-write-an-editorial/
Opinion editorial as genre
Give concise background on issue
Cite national trends to show support for your
issue
Localize the story
Highlight political support for issue
Get the right person to sign it.
http://www.nrpa.org/Advocacy/Resources/How-to-Write-and-Place-an-Opinion-Editorial/
Opinion piece as persuasive essay
1. Research your topic
2. Know the facts and refer to them
3. Start with basic premise/theme
4. Use facts and details for backing
5. Leave readers with strong point
6. Don’t preach; help readers form their own
opinions.
https://sites.google.com/a/wjps.org/the-blazer---newspaper-class/opinion-editorial-writing/structure-of-an-editorial
Opinion editorial as genre
1. Generate interest: connect to current stories
2. Convey the structure of your piece
3. Connect to research; combine 2-3 sources
4. Humour is persuasive—try it.
5. Disclose your personal interest in topic
6. Keep it short: 500-800 words
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/why-students-struggle-with-writing.aspx
Explicit arguments
Claim
Link
(because)
Reason
Challenges
Evidence
(How,
So
what,
Why?) (Data,
Statistics,
Expert
opinion,
Visuals,
Other
studies,
etc.
[What
counts
is
often
discipline-‐speciCic])
Claim
+
stated
reason:
Building
bigger
prisons
and
reducing
rehabilita5on
programs
are
ineffec5ve
strategies
for
reducing
crime
rates
because
purely
puni3ve
ac3on
does
not
help
law
breakers
change
the
behaviour
that
got
them
incarcerated.
Claims
and
Assump5ons
• Claim + stated reason rest upon an unstated
reason
• Both the stated and unstated reasons rely on
shared assumptions of value between the writer
and the reader
• Evidence demonstrates the validity of the stated or
unstated reasons
• When values are shared, less evidence is needed
to convince the reader
Claim
+
Stated
Reason
+
Evidence
• Evidence to support stated reason
(Grounds) = facts, data, statistics, testimony
(i.e., results from other research), examples
• Backing = facts, statistics, testimony,
examples that support the grounds or
assumptions you are working from
Brainstorming
Ideas for Opinion editorial:
• Alternative conceptions of development
• Food sovereignty
Thesis
Topic into thesis
http://www.artsrn.ualberta.ca/WAC/Resources/
TopicToThesis.html
Outlining
1. Intro: connect to current events
2. Summarize research, provide background
3. Give evidence, backing, political support
4. Leave readers with a strong point
