Writing Homework Help

Realism Newspaper Editorial

Imagine that you are a journalist working for a prestigious newspaper praised internationally for its hard-hitting exposés on the social injustices and corruption in the world. Your boss is the editor and has just sent you an email asking you to write an editorial for an upcoming “special edition” of the newspaper. This is a great career opportunity for you as it will expose more people to your work and could launch your career further than you ever dreamed. The editor wants a dynamic editorial that is based on fact but also creatively addresses the topic. Below is a copy of the editor’s notes regarding the assignment.

Good morning! Great job on your recent article that we published last week! I have an assignment that’s a great opportunity, and I think you’re the best person for the job.

I need a hard-hitting, fact-based editorial about some kind of ongoing, modern-day social injustice, but I also need you to connect this social injustice to the past. You know, make connections and draw parallels; connect the dots for the readers, so to speak. It doesn’t matter which issue you write about. You could connect the Civil War or Vietnam War to the War on Terrorism, compare racial inequalities from the 1850s to now, talk about the treatment of women, or discuss the drastic change in the treatment of immigrants. You can write about any social injustice as long as you can draw a parallel to the past.

Also, I need you to incorporate direct quotations from writers and literary works from the Realism era that support your editorial. It wouldn’t hurt to find some modern quotes either. Use song lyrics or political speeches if you want. People usually tend to like that. But whatever you decide, be sure to use at least three direct quotes and cite your sources. I’m going to include some of my personal favorite writers from the Realism era below, just in case you need some help getting started:

• Mark Twain
• Ambrose Bierce
• Edwin Arlington Robinson
• Edgar Lee Masters
• Frederick Douglass
• Stephen Crane
• Harriet Jacobs
• Kate Chopin
• Jack London
• Charlotte Perkins Gilman
• Walt Whitman (his poetry spans the gap between Romanticism and Realism, so… you can use him too.)
• There are others, so feel free to find one not listed here.

So remember, you’re going to compare two different social injustices (one from the Realism era and one from today) in the editorial. Talk about how they are alike and similar. Make sure the average reader can understand the connection. To help with that, pull in quotes from Realist and contemporary writers. Got it? If you can do all of that, you just might earn a raise and promotion!

Editor-in-Chief

How to Write an Editorial

An editorial in a newspaper is an opinion article that expresses the views of the writer or newspaper and generally touches on topics that are current events. Like a persuasive essay or speech, editorial articles strive to influence public opinion and effect change. They usually include the following:

• An introduction paragraph that objectively explains the issue
• The writer’s stance on the topic with supporting evidence or reasons
• The opposing viewpoint on the topic that is refuted, or disproved
• Recommended solutions to resolve the problem (It is not enough to present a problem; the effectiveness of the editorial stems from the solution offered.)
• A strong concluding paragraph that concisely summarizes the editorial’s stance and recommended solution

Before you begin, review Module 7 Writing an Editorial (2).docx to help you complete your assignment and understand how your work will be graded. You may need to use resources outside of this course to complete this assignment. If so, please submit a Works Cited document. If you need assistance, visit the Developmental Module for information on citing resources.

Below is a link that can help you with your editorial. 

How to write an editorial 

Reflection

The editorial is your chance to express your own opinions regarding the Realism era and modern social injustices. You have been supplied with several examples of social injustices through the course of this module. Some issues are more easily righted than others. For instance, while the fight for equal rights among all Americans has come a long way, there is still a long road ahead to ensure equality for all, especially as modern society becomes more and more diverse. The important thing to remember is that change does not happen if there is no one pushing for it.

After you have completed the assignment, think about the following questions and write your responses to them.

Reflection Questions

• What kind of change would you like to see in the world?
• What wrongs do you feel need to be righted?

 CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING

An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper’s opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.

Editorials have:

1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories
2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer’s opinion. Give it some punch.

Four Types of Editorials Will:

1. Explain or interpret: Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules or a particular student-body effort like a food drive.
2. Criticize: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while providing solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers to see the problem, not the solution.
3. Persuade: Editorials of persuasion aim to immediately see the solution, not the problem. From the first paragraph, readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive action. Political endorsements are good examples of editorials of persuasion.
4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not as common as the other three.

Writing an Editorial

1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers.
2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research
3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement
4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is important
5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts
6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures, quotations. Pick apart the other side’s logic.
7. Concede a point of the opposition — they must have some good points you can acknowledge that would make you look rational.
8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader’s minds.
9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction.
10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis statement).
11. Keep it to 500 words; make every work count; never use “I”

A Sample Structure

I. Lead with an Objective Explanation of the Issue/Controversy.

Include the five W’s and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are looking to cut funding from public television. Hearings were held …)

• Pull in facts and quotations from the sources which are relevant.

• Additional research may be necessary.

II. Present Your Opposition First.

As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you. (Republicans feel that these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick them; only the rich watch public television.)

• Use facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions.

• Give a strong position of the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting a weak position.

III. Directly Refute The Opposition’s Beliefs.

You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a “sandbox for the rich.” However, statistics show most people who watch public television make less than $40,000 per year.)

• Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support your position.

• Concede a valid point of the opposition which will make you appear rational, one who has considered all the options (fiscal times are tough, and we can cut some of the funding for the arts; however, …).

IV. Give Other, Original Reasons/Analogies

In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest order. (Taking money away from public television is robbing children of their education …)

• Use a literary or cultural allusion that lends to your credibility and perceived intelligence (We should render unto Caesar that which belongs to him …)

V. Conclude With Some Punch.

Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should look to where real wastes exist — perhaps in defense and entitlements — to find ways to save money. Digging into public television’s pocket hurts us all.)

• A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected source

• A rhetorical question can be an effective concluder as well (If the government doesn’t defend the interests of children, who will?)