EDITORIAL

Pretend you are the editor of a local newspaper and are writing an editorial about the events that occurred in the play. An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper’s opinion on an issue. Like lawyers, 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.

1 ½ pages, typed, double-spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins. Focus on a particular theme (hypocrisy, civil disobedience, hysteria, etc.) and use specific details from the play as

evidence to persuade readers to agree with your point of view on the subject. Details must be accurate to the play.

Submit your editorial to www.turnitin.com BEFORE October 31st. No late work will be accepted. Staple the rubric to the front of your printed work.

Editorials have:

An introduction, body, and conclusion. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues Are timely Include/mention opposing viewpoints Engage in issues, not personalities, and are written in a professional manner. Offer alternatives to the problem or issue being criticized. Contain a solid, concise conclusion powerfully summarizing the writer’s opinion. Give it some punch!

Sample Structure for an Editorial:

Lead with an objective explanation of the issue (include the five W’s and the H). Present your opposition’s view first. Directly refute (reject) the position of the opposing viewpoint. Pull in facts and quotations from the play as

evidence to support your position. Give other, original reasons why readers should agree with you and present your reasons in order of increasing

importance (strong to strongest reason). Conclude with some punch. Give readers a solution or challenge them to be more informed. A quotation or

rhetorical question can provide a powerful concluding statement.

Name: ___________________________________________ Period: _______ Date: ______________

Excellent Needs improvement Not acceptableFocus on Topic (Content). Journalists must understand the purpose of the editorial. Is it to persuade? Praise? Criticize? Purpose must be clear and present all side of the situation.

Purpose is clear in the introduction. Position is clearly states within the 1st two paragraphs. Supporting statements are relevant; opposing viewpoint is stated and refuted. Articulates the importance of the situation and clearly communicates that to the reader.

Position is unclear or is not supported by evidence. Writer doesn’t seem to understand purpose of the editorial. Opposing viewpoint is missing or not refuted. Lacks impact because it lacks focus. Reader is left not know what the writer wanted to happen.

No evidence the writer knows enough about the subject to write about it. No evidence of research or knowledge about topic. Position is unclear, missing, or doesn’t make sense. Few or no supporting statements. Opposing viewpoint is missing or is stronger than that of the editorial. No call to action or any kind of effective conclusion.

Sequencing/OrganizationHas a distinct introduction (statement of the problem, statement of position), body (supportive details, statement of opposition’s viewpoint, refutation of opposition); and conclusion (2 workable solutions or a call to action).

Begins with a powerful statement which states the situation and gives the newspaper’s stance on the situation. Position is supported by at least 3 solid statements of fact. Opposition is noted and refuted. Conclusion offers at least 2 workable solutions or presents a call to action. Written in short journalistic style paragraphs.

The situation may be unclear to the reader. The writer’s position may not appear early in the editorial. Supporting details may not be positioned close enough to the stance to be effective. Conclusion may not offer two solutions or call for specific action by the reader. Paragraphs may be too long.

No attempt at organizing the editorial. No discernable introduction, body, or conclusion. Everything is crowded into one paragraph.

Author’s VoiceThe editorial is the official stance of the newspaper, but lively writing makes it more interesting, passionate, and persuasive.

The writer has used literary devices to make the editorial lively and interesting (metaphors, similes, allusions, etc.). The stance is stated with conviction and supporting statements are original and relevant.

The writer has presented a litany of factual information but does not tie it together well with his/her own statements. Evidence seems contributed or is irrelevant. There is no passion in the writing.

The editorial does not have enough information to give it personality. Supporting statements, if present, are irrelevant.

Author’s Style (word choice & sentence structure) Journalists use concrete nouns and verbs and few adjectives and adverbs. Words should be precise yet familiar to the reader. Sentences should be straight forward, simple statements, easily understood.

Writer uses specific, interest-arousing words and active voice. Action verbs and specific nouns are used. Adjectives/adverbs are rarely used. Writer has chosen shorter, more familiar words, than longer, unfamiliar words. Words are used correctly. Writer does not refer to himself using 1st-person pronouns. Most sentences are simple subject-verb-direct object statements. Transitional statements connect ideas.

Writer uses 1 or 2 vague verbs or nouns or has used “being” verbs rather than action verbs in 1-2 cases. One or 2 words may not be easily understood by the audience. One or 2 words may have been used incorrectly. The writer may have referred to himself in the editorial. Most sentences are in active voice but a few may be in passive voice. Some sentences are too complicated. Transitions may be missing or faulty.

Writer has made no attempt to use specific nouns or verbs. Words used are not appropriate to the editorial. Writer has used first person throughout. Most sentences are constructed awkwardly, are run-ons, or are partial sentences.

Grammar & Mechanics All sentences are grammatically correct and are punctuated properly. There are no spelling errors in names or conventional words.

There are 1 or 2 grammatical or punctuation errors. 1-2 words may be misspelled.

The paper has serious problems with grammar, punctuation, and spelling.