Editorials are a writer's opinion on a topic. Editorials argue or discuss important issues of the day. They play a role in stimulating debate and/or discussion on a topic.
You can take a topic and break it down, criticize or persuade in a professional manner, or use humor to make a point.
Tip 1: Use documented, credible information.
Tip 2: Develop story similar to news story.
Tip 3: Choose an interesting topic.
Tip 4: Don't use big words and write with a professional tone.
Tip 5: Be subjective (include your opinion) but get your facts straight.
Tip 6: Do not use 1st person pronouns!!
Word Count: Approximately 150-250 words
News Story - Urgent, timely stories about events or conflicts; have strong effect on readers.
1. A strong lead paragraph should contain information most vital to the reader. It can include the answers to: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Choose the most important of these questions and use them in the opening paragraph, but don't answer all of these in the lead paragraph.
2. Early Body Paragraphs: Put the most important details early in the story.
3. Later Body Paragraphs: Put less important details toward the end of the story.
4. Closing Paragraph: Includes the least important information.
Word Count: Approximately 200-300 words
Feature stories are interesting, well researched, and professional. They can be news-driven, or human-interest focused.
1. Lead paragraph has a strong hook or attention-getter, but doesn't have to have all of the factual information early.
2. Define your subject/topic early.
3. Tell your story using facts, narrative and quotes.
Word Count: Approximately 400 words
Reque, John. Introduction to journalism . Evanston, Ill.: McDougal Littell, 2001. Print.
Typically written in response to an editorial.
1. Contain well-reasoned arguments.
2. Not vulgar or libelous.
3. Signed by the writer.
Political cartoons make a powerful statement usually without containing a single word.
1. Come form the imagination of the artist.
2. Clever and artistic.
Ads are purchased to generate funds for a newspaper, create exposure for a business, and to inform readers of a product or service.
Make sure these are timely. Example: You won't want an advertisement about an iPad because they didn't exist during WWII.