JOURNALISM

HANDOUT

(EDITORIAL AND SPORTS

NEWS)

Escandor, Jennifer T.

IV-GALILEO

EDITORIAL

An editorial presents a newspaper's stand on a particular issue, usually decided by the whole editorial staff. It is also known as the “soul” of the newspaper. It is supposed to be brief, clear and accurate. Here, the problems or issues are opened-up and scrutinized. Sometimes, solutions are suggested. The editorial may be written to explain, criticize, persuade or praise a certain idea to the readers.

Parts of an Editorial:

Introduction- the news peg and reaction are stated. It may begin with a quote, rhetorical question, or simply a summary of the issue at hand.

e.g.: “Declining to give more details, Commission on Audit chair Grace Pulido-Tan last week confirmed only the most basic fact: that notices of disallowances had already been sent to those public officials implicated in the alleged systematic diversion of pork barrel funds to fake nongovernment organizations. The list includes four sitting senators: Bong Revilla, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Gringo Honasan.” (taken from opinion.inquirer.net/return-the-money)

Body- the news peg and the stand are further explained. Supporting details, evidences and facts from reliable sources are presented.

e.g.: “…In their confrontation at the Senate last October, Estrada belittled the notion that a lawmaker could be asked to return the Priority Development Assistance Fund money he had coursed through other government agencies, reasoning that they, not the lawmaker, had control over the money. Tan’s response: “That’s the consequence of a notice of disallowance. Those who will get such notices would become jointly and solidarily liable for the return of the money, and that is a matter of law.

Perhaps Estrada was too lazy to do the necessary research, or ignorant about the scope of the commission’s work, but in fact the constitutional agency can force a public officer like him to return government money inappropriately used—even if he says he only endorsed the implementing agency and did not touch any of the funds….” (taken from opinion.inquirer.net/return-the-money)

Conclusion- it can be a summary, a challenge or a solution that is connected to the stand.

e.g.: “TV-friendly bravado aside, Tan had no other choice but to issue the notices of disallowance. The COA’s power to audit, and then to hold the auditees to account, is also a duty. Once the COA’s special audit team had determined that as much as P6 billion in pork barrel funds between 2007 and 2009 had been diverted to some 82 bogus or irregular NGOs, at least eight of which are affiliated with alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, the agency had no option but to file the notices. Like the impeachment process, the audit cycle has a logic that must be followed.” (taken from opinion.inquirer.net/return-the-money)

Types of Editorial:

Informative Editorial- the issue is only narrated to the reader. There is little sign of opinion and the writer makes no conclusion about the topic at hand. (e.g.: The purpose of RH Bill)

Editorial of Interpretation- also called “peg-hung editorial” or editorial of comment. A topic which is recognizable to the readers is opened for the explanation of its importance in relation to recent events. (e.g.: Janet Napoles and the Pork Barrel Scam)

Editorial of Criticism- points out the flaws of a particular situation and often suggests a solution or remedy for it. (e.g.: BIR and Pacquiao Tax Case)

Editorial of Appreciation- commends a particular person, organization or activity that did good things. (e.g.: The OFWs in helping the economy of the Philippines)

Editorial of Argumentation- a definite stand on a particular issue is presented to the readers. The reasons and evidences are organized in a clear and organized manner. (e.g.: Pro or Anti RH Bill?)

Editorial of Entertainment- an issue is pointed out in a short yet amusing way. (e.g.: Banning of the game “Angry Birds”)

Editorial for Special occasion- may inform, explain or argue about a certain topic related to a current special occasion. (e.g.: Origin of Valentine’s Day)

Guidelines in Writing an Editorial

Write as clear and brief as possible. Be direct with what you’re trying to express, so as not to confuse the readers or lose their interest. As much as possible, limit it to 300-500 words.

Gather enough data. You have to understand the topic you’re going to write about. Be logically organized. Connect supporting details in order to lead to a sound conclusion. Never use the first-person POV. Use the third person POV as much as possible. Give your stand, but never sound too preachy. An editorial is not intended for moralizing. Keep your readers interested. Most readers will hang on to reading your editorial until the end if you

provide a good editorial lead.

Editorial Lead- the beginning of an editorial

Suggestions for a Good Editorial Lead

Aside from plainly stating the news peg and the stand, you can also…

- Raise a striking question.- Narrate something to which the readers can relate to.- Begin with a quote.

ACTIVITY #1

Locate the news peg.

1. As if the traffic situation in the metropolis were not bad enough, the Metro Manila Development

Authority has warned residents to brace for worse conditions in the next few years, when a number

of construction projects will be undertaken by the government. Coming on the heels of the public

outcry against the shocking power rate increase, the announcement has worried many residents who

have to waste many hours sitting in traffic while heading to and coming from work.

(opinion.inquirer.net/70461)

2. What to do about smuggling?

It’s something that’s been there for as long as the oldest members of this community have been on

earth, and it looks nowhere near to being pushed mightily back, let alone eradicated. “We’re talking

of an entire ecosystem here,” John Philip Sevilla, the new Customs chief, admits.

(opinion.inquirer.net/71074)

3. Organic farming is fast gaining traction, particularly among those concerned with health and the

environment. What was once just a buzz phrase in these parts is making a bid for the mainstream,

and many Filipinos are beginning to understand the value of organic produce, or food grown on land

free from dangerous chemicals. (opinion.inquirer.net/70315)

4. To prove that he was innocent of the plunder charge filed against him, Sen. Bong Revilla took to the

Senate floor on Monday and accused President Aquino of interfering in the impeachment trial of

Renato Corona, then the chief justice. Confused? So are we. (opinion.inquirer.net/70131)

5. President Aquino rose to power on a strong anticorruption platform. In his first State of the Nation

address in 2010, he talked about the virtuous path (or “daang matuwid”) of governance that his

administration would take, and the people were thrilled by the promise. Now, more than halfway

past his six-year term, the perception of corruption remains high. (opinion.inquirer.net/70023)

QUIZ #1

On a one whole sheet of paper, write an editorial about one of the topics tackled in the items in

Activity #1.

ACTIVITY #2

Rephrase the paragraphs.

1. I was about to applaud because I thought it was high time the courts took graft and corruption seriously

and made this country realize that serious things bore serious consequences. I was about to applaud

because I thought stealing from an impoverished place like Sarangani was like stealing from the victims

of Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” it drove home the cruelty of it. I was about to applaud because I thought at

least the Sandiganbayan had the resolve to do what government prosecutors had failed to do, which was

prosecute offenders; and what the other courts had failed to do, which was to send the convicted to jail.

(opinion.inquirer.net/70956)

2. I don’t blame him for dragging Roxas into the story; the fellow does have a shadowy presence and reeks

of intrigue. What in hell was the DOTC head doing arranging the delivery of things and people to a

breakfast meeting? (opinion.inquirer.net/70061)

SPORTS NEWS

Sports news is a combination of news, editorial and feature writing. It is filled with action and conflict. It uses a special language common to sports fanatics. Although the content is mostly the narration of a sports activity, the writer may include his opinion about the event, but only up to a certain limit.

Qualities of a Good Sports Writer:

- Must be knowledgeable in sports rules and regulations. He doesn’t have to be a pro in a particular sports, he just needs to be interested enough.

- Must be familiar with the sports lingo. This will lead to a smooth article. As much as possible, limit the use of slang words.

- Must be unbiased. Although he may write his opinion about a sports event, it is not supposed to be too obvious. Limits are set.

- Must write as fast and as accurate as possible.

Parts of a Sports Story:

Lead- It summarizes the whole sports event. The score or outcome of the game is often found in the first sentence.

e.g.: MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater dodged the ouster anew and barged into the semifinals of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup with a 91-81 come-from-behind victory over Jumbo Plastic on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena Pasig. (taken from http://sports.inquirer.net/blackwater-ousts-jumbo-plastic-for-semis-spot-in-pba-d-league)

Body- It is where the details of the event are covered. It includes the background of the players/teams, the progress of the matches, top-scorers, climax of the game and quotation/s from a player or a sports-related personality in the event.

e.g.: …The Elite forced the Giants, which had a twice-to-beat edge entering their match-up, to a surplus of costly turnovers in the third quarter and erased a 15-point deficit to take over in the payoff period.

“We know we can beat them anytime, all we have to do is to play disciplined basketball,” said head coach Leo Isaac. “Control ourselves and emotion. It was a good test of character for our part.”

The Elite have managed to climb their way up from the verge of elimination, hurdling Cebuana Lhuillier and Cafe France to nail the sixth place then neutralizing no. 3 seed Jumbo Plastic twice.

With the victory, Blackwater set up a best-of-three semifinals series against no. 2 squad Big Chill next week…. (taken from http://sports.inquirer.net/blackwater-ousts-jumbo-plastic-for-semis-spot-in-pba-d-league)

Types of Sports Story:

Advance Story- sometimes called “dope” or “prognostication”. It makes the readers anticipate the upcoming event.

e.g.: MANILA, Philippines — Former NBA superstar Allen Iverson may visit the country soon.

Following a brief visit to Indonesia last October, Iverson, the 2001 NBA MVP, had expressed his intention of exploring Asia and the Philippines is next on his list…. (taken from http://sports.inquirer.net/allen-iverson-may-visit-manila-soon)Coverage Story- it describes the actual game. It includes the final score, outcome, most key players, reaction of the audiences, and other scenes that complement the game throughout its activity.

e.g.: …“(If) we come out the next game lacking energy, we’re done,” Cone said, referring to what happened in the second game. “Our job is to stay in the game and beat them in the fourth quarter.”

Beating the Kings in the fourth quarter was the story in the first and third games, and Ginebra would have to look to stop just one man from again taking over when the game is on the line: Mark Barroca.

The 5-foot-10 point guard has been hurting Ginebra, and Sunday’s game was no different with Barroca finishing with a career-high 25 points, nine of them in the fourth period…. (taken from http://sports.inquirer.net/san-mig-coffee-targets-3-1-series-lead-over-ginebra)

Advance-coverage story- it informs the readers about an upcoming event. The anticipated event is narrated in the first part of the story while the former event related to it is written in the last part.

e.g.: MANILA, Philippines—The trilogy was not enough, and the knockout was not the conclusion.In a video interview with ES News, eight-division World champion Manny Pacquiao said that he is willing to fight, for a fifth time, Juan Manuel Marquez after the “Dinamita” knocked the lights out of the Pacman in their last fight in December 2012…. (taken from http://sports.inquirer.net/pacquiao-willing-to-fight-marquez-for-fifth-time)

Guidelines in Writing the Sports Story

- Jot down notes immediately. - Know the important people in the event- the players, coaches and personalities.- Read other sports stories, it may help you in writing a good one.- Take note of all the things that are interesting before, during and after the game.

Sports LingoA good sports writer is aware and knowledgeable of the special language used in sports writing.

Examples: *taken from http://www.sportslingo.com

Basketball Volleyball Baseball

2 Pointer24-Second Violation

Assist Backcourt Violation

Bounce PassBuzzer Beater

CrossoverDefensive Rebound

Fadeaway Free Throw

AceApproach

Attack BlockDigDink

Jump ServeKillSet

StuffSpike

AceAmerican League Championship

Series (ALCS)American League Division Series

(ALDS) Baserunner

ErrorExtra Innings

Home RunIn The Hole

ACTIVITY #1

Write a sports story lead given the following data:

Winning team: Team A

Losing team: Team B

What game: Men’s Basketball Finals Match

Where: Banana court

When: Feb. 21, 2012

Score: 98-96

QUIZ #1

Write a sports article based on the information presented:

BACKGROUND

The Varsity Girls’ Volleyball team began season-Sept. 15- v. Salina South. Hays lost 15-7, 13-15, 11-

15.

The next game: Sept. 19, at Junction City.

THE TEAM

The team includes six returners,

Three returners made all-district last year

Two returners advanced to the all-region roster, Amie Roberts and Leah Claycamp, both juniors.

Rhonda Ames, a senior, is predicted to be one of the district’s star players.

SIGNIFICANT PLAYS

First game

Amie Roberts scored the first point of the game, an off-speed spike, after only 10 seconds of play. She

scored five points in the first game.

Kenda Von Feldt scored six points.

Leah Claycamp scored four points

The Salina South team scored seven points.

Second game

Roberts scored six points and blocked 10 spikes.

Claycamp scored five points. Her most significant play was a dive that set up a point. She also made

two fouls.

Von Feldt scored two points-one after she made a dig to another player who returned it to her for the

score.

Hays hit the ball out of bounds four times. The officials called three thrown ball penalties on Hays.

Salina South won this game.

Third game

Rhonda Ames scored the first five points of this game. She was injured while making a double block

and did not play the rest of the game.

Claycamp scored four points, one after a spin serve that Salina could not even return.

Von Feldt scored two points.

The score was tied almost the entire way through the game. The winning four points all came within

one minute of play when the Hays team looked exhausted.

QUOTATIONS

Larry Schmidt, varsity coach The first game of the season didn’t go as well as I hoped. We didn’t accomplish the team goals that we set. We didn’t serve and pass as well as I hoped to. We need to work on our movement and getting into the right position when it comes to playing defense. Jessica Bird, sophomore I think we were playing very well. We need to work on our fundamentals. Overall, I think that we are playing great and the season should be successful. Rhonda Ames, senior I think if we work hard and use our potential, we’ll do all right in state. Salina just beat us by playing good clean volleyball. Lori Billinger, senior I need to work on my passing, but otherwise, everything is going great for me so far this year. I think that out team should talk more to each other when we are on the courts.

*taken from: http://www.d158.k12.il.us/