An editorial, or editorial, is a small text present at the beginning of newspapers or magazines. Its writing is particularly important because the editorial is read first!
It introduces and can even allow the columnist to give his point of view or inform the reader about what he will find in the newspaper or the magazine.
How to write an editorial? Here’s everything you need to know on the subject.
Understand the role of editorial to write it well
Before writing an editorial, it is essential to remember what an editorial is. The latter differs from an article which is content to relay facts, it expresses an opinion.
Thanks to an editorial, the reader knows more about what he will find in the newspaper or magazine he introduces. It gives indications on the main subjects which are treated but also the style and the tone.
The editorial is always unique, it adapts to the season and to the events that have a direct impact on the activity concerned. Depending on the message you want to convey, the editorial can:
- Replace a context,
- Inquire about content,
- Offer a reading angle,
- Deal with a subject that is not discussed,
- Give the perspective of the newspaper or magazine.
Remember to grab the reader’s attention with the editorial. This little text is very powerful. It can even allow you to retain your audience. Some magazines and newspapers are popular because of their quirky and consistently high quality editorials.
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Define the angle of the editorial
The first step in writing your editorial is to determine the angle. You must keep in mind that with this editorial, you will be able to influence and convince.
Here are the different types of editorials.
- The explanatory editorial. It gives the position of the newspaper or magazine, and explains it, on a subject whether neutral or controversial.
- The critical editorial. He makes a judgment on an action or a decision and suggests more effective alternatives.
- The persuasive editorial . It pushes the reader to act by offering solutions to an identified problem.
- The glowing editorial. It supports associations or organizations for their actions with the community.
Enrich the editorial with highlights
As we said before, an editorial is a real article. Besides, just like him, he gives facts. These are accompanied by a position statement but they remain essential.
In order for your editorial to be successful, you need to offer meaningful and truthful facts. Ideally, it should give a unique and recent number or quote. This information can create a buzz and contribute to your success.
A short editorial and a friendly tone
An editorial is more powerful than an article, it is also less formal. With the editorial, you can adopt a friendly tone.
Why ? Because it reads quickly and it is not necessary to dwell on the subjects which will be treated in depth afterwards. Moreover, for these same reasons, we recommend that you limit the length of your editorial.
If it is too long, readers will not dwell on it. The ideal length for an editorial is between 500 and 800 words . The shorter the editorial, the more impactful it should be. In any case, it must be original (not plagiarized) because it represents your business.
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Some writing tips:
- An editorial should have a compelling title but also an introductory sentence that will allow the reader to get right to the heart of the matter and know your point of view.
- The introduction should arouse the readers’ curiosity and make them want to read the whole magazine or newspaper. If an article is in the spotlight, specify it in the editorial!
Did you know
- If you are giving numbers or sharing a quote, you must give the source. This approach shows your seriousness.
- In an editorial, it is customary to address or even compare yourself to your opponents or competitors. If you do, avoid slanderous words and prove your strengths with facts. The confrontation must be cordial!
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