So what distinguishes editorials?

So what distinguishes editorials?

So what distinguishes editorials? It’s your or your publication’s opinion

So what distinguishes editorials? It’s your or your publication’s opinion Almost always on a newsworthy

topic: taxes, elections, politics, crime, social issues such as abortion, education

So what distinguishes editorials? It’s your or your publication’s opinion Almost always on a newsworthy

topic: taxes, elections, politics, crime, social issues such as abortion, education

It’s clearly marked as opinion

So what distinguishes editorials? It’s your or your publication’s opinion Almost always on a newsworthy

topic: taxes, elections, politics, crime, social issues such as abortion, education

It’s clearly marked as opinion Take many of the things we’ve

studied about journalism and toss them out, especially objectivity

“Publications need editorials and columns, in short, to provide the personality and passion that news reporting doesn’t allow...”

Writing editorials

Keep it tight: 300-500 words

Writing editorials

Keep it tight: 300-500 words Always relevant

Writing editorials

Keep it tight: 300-500 words Always relevant Take a strong stand

Writing editorials

Keep it tight: 300-500 words Always relevant Take a strong stand Attack the issue, not personality

Writing editorials

Keep it tight: 300-500 words Always relevant Take a strong stand Attack the issue, not personality Write strong lede and strong closer

Who has editorials

Who has editorials

Virtually all daily and weekly newspapers, including college newspapers

Typical newspaper layout

Who has editorials

Virtually all daily and weekly newspapers, including college newspapers

Many magazines such as New Yorker, Time, New Republic, National Journal, even Sports Illustrated

Who has editorials

Virtually all daily and weekly newspapers, including college newspapers

Many magazines such as New Yorker, Time, New Republic, National Journal, even Sports Illustrated

Many big websites such as Daily Kos, American Spectator, Breitbart, Huffington Post

Who has editorials

Virtually all daily and weekly newspapers, including college newspapers

Many magazines such as New Yorker, Time, New Republic, National Journal, even Sports Illustrated

Many big websites such as Daily Kos, American Spectator, Breitbart, Huffington Post

Broadcast media such as local TV, networks

Columns

Always signed, therefore represent the author’s opinion... not necessarily that of the publication

Columns

Always signed, therefore represent the author’s opinion... not necessarily that of the publication

Some famous syndicated political columnists are George Will, Charles Krauthammer, Paul Krugman, Maureen Dowd

Columns

Always signed, therefore represent the author’s opinion... not necessarily that of the publication

Some famous syndicated political columnists are George Will, Charles Krauthammer, Paul Krugman, Maureen Dowd

Not limited to politics: can be sports, entertainment, business

So you wanna be a critic

So you wanna be a critic

Criticism: “considered judgment of or discussion about the qualities of something, especially a creative work”

So you wanna be a critic

Criticism: “considered judgment of or discussion about the qualities of something, especially a creative work”

Study, evaluate and interpret

So you wanna be a critic

Criticism: “considered judgment of or discussion about the qualities of something, especially a creative work”

Study, evaluate and interpret Meaning, social context and

significance of the artist’s work

So you wanna be a critic

Criticism: “considered judgment of or discussion about the qualities of something, especially a creative work”

Study, evaluate and interpret Meaning, social context and

significance of the artist’s work Which means you have to be an

expert in the field in which you work

So you wanna be a critic

Criticism: “considered judgment of or discussion about the qualities of something, especially a creative work”

Study, evaluate and interpret Meaning, social context and

significance of the artist’s work Which means you have to be an

expert in the field in which you work More than just unloading on somebody

Areas you might review

Areas you might review

Movies

Areas you might review

Movies Music: recorded and live

performance

Areas you might review

Movies Music: recorded and live

performance Television

Areas you might review

Movies Music: recorded and live

performance Television Theater

Areas you might review

Movies Music: recorded and live

performance Television Theater Other live performance such as

comedy, circuses, dance

Areas you might review

Movies Music: recorded and live

performance Television Theater Other live performance such as

comedy, circuses, dance Books

Areas you might review

Movies Music: recorded and live

performance Television Theater Other live performance such as

comedy, circuses, dance Books Art

Areas you might review

Movies Music: recorded and live

performance Television Theater Other live performance such as

comedy, circuses, dance Books Art Food

Areas you might review

Wine

Areas you might review

Wine Beer

Areas you might review

Wine Beer Video games

Areas you might review

Wine Beer Video games Technology

Areas you might review

Wine Beer Video games Technology Cars

Areas you might review

Wine Beer Video games Technology Cars Travel

Ok, you got the gig! Now what?

Ok, you got the gig! Now what? Structure your review: no ranting or

rambling

Ok, you got the gig! Now what? Structure your review: no ranting or

rambling Suggestion: lede, nut graf (could be

story line of movie, history of new restaurant, details of visiting orchestra and the program), what’s good, what’s bad, audience reaction, summary and recommendation

Elements of a review

It’s a mix of facts and opinion:

“While the Ptomaine Palace’s signature dish – Sauteed Skittles with beur-blanc reduction – scores high on creativity, its gag-inducing texture caused this reviewer’s companion to projectile vomit across the soothing earth tones of the expansive main dining room...”

Elements of a review

You gotta know your stuff. Don’t review the New York City Ballet if your knowledge of dance is limited to doing the Macarena in pre-school

Elements of a review

You gotta know your stuff. Don’t review the New York City Ballet if your knowledge of dance is limited to doing the Macarena in pre-school

Be aware of your biases: just because you despise Thai food, millions adore it

Elements of a review

You gotta know your stuff. Don’t review the New York City Ballet if your knowledge of dance is limited to doing the Macarena in pre-school

Be aware of your biases: just because you despise Thai food, millions adore it

Don’t be pompous

Elements of a review

Don’t reveal plot twists or ending of movies, books, plays, etc.

Elements of a review

Don’t reveal plot twists or ending of movies, books, plays, etc.

Cliche alert: don’t use common adjectives such as delicious, great, awful

Elements of a review

Don’t reveal plot twists or ending of movies, books, plays, etc.

Cliche alert: don’t use common adjectives such as delicious, great, awful

Don’t review amateur productions

Elements of a review

Don’t reveal plot twists or ending of movies, books, plays, etc.

Cliche alert: don’t use common adjectives such as delicious, great, awful

Don’t review amateur productions You will be called an idiot by your

readers/viewers: everyone is a reviewer today

So write a quick review!

You are the reviewer for your favorite magazine, website or show

Write a review of a movie, restaurant or concert that you experienced recently

Assignment 2/21

Read pages 164-173 of Inside Reporting

Assignment 2/21

Read pages 164-173 of Inside Reporting

Do exercises #1, #3 on page 174