Editorials, Editorials, Columns Columns and Lettersand Letters

Things to think Things to think about when it about when it comes to comes to student opinion student opinion in the scholastic in the scholastic presspress

Karl GrubaughKarl Grubaugh

Granite Bay (Calif.) Granite Bay (Calif.) HSHS

Editorial Editorial PoliciesPolicies Yes, you need one; keep it simpleYes, you need one; keep it simple

What should go in it? Ideas:What should go in it? Ideas: Get some distance between the Get some distance between the

newspaper and school officials, newspaper and school officials, non-J students … and younon-J students … and you

Cite the Constitution and state lawCite the Constitution and state law Include letters to the editor policyInclude letters to the editor policy Include advertising and guest Include advertising and guest

commentary policies (reasons for commentary policies (reasons for why you won’t publish materials)why you won’t publish materials)

Editorials: Editorials: The voice of The voice of the the newspapernewspaper• A byline? Probably not.• Input from other editors? Probably

so.• Here’s a cool format I found years

ago that you can use, too.

Editorial Editorial StructureStructure Catch Attention: Catch Attention:

Commit:Commit:

ConcedeConcede

Counter: Strong argumentCounter: Strong argument

Convince: Stronger Convince: Stronger argument argument

Editorial Structure, Editorial Structure, continuedcontinued Clinch: Strongest Clinch: Strongest argument argument

Commit again: Commit again:

Cap it off:Cap it off:

A final note:A final note:

Types of Types of editorialseditorials

Focus? Significant news topic Focus? Significant news topic with a current news hook with a current news hook

Four types:Four types:– Explain/interpret: how the newspaper Explain/interpret: how the newspaper

covered a sensitive topic (we often covered a sensitive topic (we often try to link our editorial to a story on try to link our editorial to a story on A1)A1)

– Criticize: Constructively criticize Criticize: Constructively criticize actions, decisions, situations. Offer actions, decisions, situations. Offer solutions!solutions!

– Persuade: Focus first on the solution; Persuade: Focus first on the solution; encourage specific, positive action.encourage specific, positive action.

– Praise: Commend people and/or Praise: Commend people and/or organizations; more rare.organizations; more rare.

Style? Typically thoughtful, Style? Typically thoughtful, considered, careful, reflective, considered, careful, reflective, serious serious

Thanks to Alan Weintraut Thanks to Alan Weintraut of Annandale, Va.of Annandale, Va.

Column Column writingwriting

Purpose?Purpose?– Entertainment/humorEntertainment/humor– InformationInformation– IndignationIndignation– Etc.Etc.

Who are some of your faves?Who are some of your faves?– Leonard PittsLeonard Pitts– Rick ReillyRick Reilly– Maureen DowdMaureen Dowd– Gene WeingartenGene Weingarten– Others? Others?

How do you teach column writing?How do you teach column writing?– Not easy (is it a gift?)Not easy (is it a gift?)– I regularly print a column for my staff meetings, have I regularly print a column for my staff meetings, have

kids read it, and discuss why it works kids read it, and discuss why it works – Being published in the Gazette op-ed section is Being published in the Gazette op-ed section is

COMPETITIVE!COMPETITIVE!– Try to avoid too many first-person, Chicken Soup For Try to avoid too many first-person, Chicken Soup For

the Soul-style essays – the best columnists are also the Soul-style essays – the best columnists are also excellent REPORTERS!excellent REPORTERS!

What What about about letters?letters?

Yes, you want letters to the editorYes, you want letters to the editor

No, you don’t want to get into a pissing No, you don’t want to get into a pissing match with readersmatch with readers

Let readers have the final sayLet readers have the final say

How to lose a libel judgmentHow to lose a libel judgment The publication cannot hide behind a The publication cannot hide behind a

defense of “we didn’t write the letter, defense of “we didn’t write the letter, we just published it”we just published it”

Limit the length of letters – 250 words?Limit the length of letters – 250 words?

Decide in advance how you’ll deal with Decide in advance how you’ll deal with grammar, spelling, etc.grammar, spelling, etc.

We edit letters the same way we edit We edit letters the same way we edit columns and editorials – it’s a bit of a columns and editorials – it’s a bit of a cheap shot to make letter writers look cheap shot to make letter writers look stupidstupid

Other Other ideas/issues ideas/issues in your in your op-ed op-ed sectionssections

ForumsForums Heard on the Bay (on Heard on the Bay (on

the street Q&A)the street Q&A) Editorial cartoons– Editorial cartoons–

single panels and stripssingle panels and strips Thumbs up, thumbs Thumbs up, thumbs

downdown Point/CounterpointPoint/Counterpoint Design issues: Big Design issues: Big

illustrations, column illustrations, column mugs, drop caps, etc.mugs, drop caps, etc.

Thanks!Thanks!