EDITORIAL WRITING

ABNER L. PUREZA
THE COCONUT
Requisites of an editorial
• An issue having high degree of sensibility to the public readers. It
must be relatable and essentialized to the context of the people's
lives.
• Two groups with opposite views on such issue.
• A stand/ position in which each group believes in.
• Pieces of evidence each group must present to justify their position.
KEY CONCEPTS ON EDITORIAL.
• Collective stand of the publication
• Heavy artillery (battlefield of opinions/ views
that compete for readers' attention)
• takes leadership position on issues affecting the
community
FOCAL POINTS.
The goals of editorial:
• to drive home a point
• to influence public opinion
• to enlighten people
PRELIMINARIES.
WHERE/HOW DO WE START?
 Choose a topic.
SOURCES: screaming news
commissioned news
trending news
Current and timely Substantial for writing
passing on moral judgment
• Obtain background material and information about your topic
Observe read
interview research.
PHASE 1: PRE-WRITNG stage.
1. Identify your purpose and audience – inform, interpret, criticize,
argue, suggest reforms, urge readers to action.
 Explain or interpret the way the newspaper covered a sensitive or
controversial subject
 Criticize constructive actions, decisions or situations to get readers
to see the problem.
 Praise to commend people or organizations for a job well done
 Persuade to get readers immediately see the solution and not the
problem
. . Organize Information – briefly outline your facts logically before
2
writing the piece.
 Choose details
 Order details according to importance (outlining)
FOCUS ON A CENTRAL THEME
 The single greatest error made by beginning writers is trying to say
too much.
 The error comes from the belief that, in order to be convincing, an
argument must be utterly comprehensive, addressing every
possible issue that relates to it.
 An effective editorial must be essentialized.
3. WORKING ON AN EFFECTIVE TITLE.
The title of an editorial article is mostly composed of
only three words.
The title is a label head.
 Example: Walang linaw Usad pagong
Petal attraction Election blues
Alliteration: Money matters Silent sesison
Allusion: Killing it softly
Pun: SPEDtacular TAMbye PROSTItuition PRESStitution
• NOTE: The title must be striking to attract attention
PHASE 2: WRITING STAGE
• INTRODUCTION:
-presentation of the SITUATION/NEWS ITEM (newspeg)
-Stand/ position
• BODY
Claims fully supported by proofs
4E: Explanation/Evidence/Example/Extra Details
Tools: narrative of incidents, statement from credible sources,
statistics, provision from memo, order, by-laws, constitution, etc.
• CONCLUSION
Recap of the main points
Recommending a SOLUTION/ CALLING for an ACTION
Outlining is important.
Title: _______________________________
1. Situation: _________________________
2. Position: __________________________
3. Claims (three - point rule)
a. __________ b. ____________ c. _______________
- arguments/ proofs to support each of your claims
4. Summary of main points
5. Conclusion
 It's not over
A Kuwaiti court has handed out the death penalty
NEWS ITEM
to the employers of Joanna Demafelis, the overseas (situation)

worker whose body was found stuffed in a freezer

in February. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the
sentence shows the sincerity and good faith of the
Kuwaiti government.
It appears justice has been served. POSITION
(Stand)
.thatDemafelis’ death and its ignominy shocked a nation
was no stranger to the risks that workers face in
foreign lands. Demafelis’ story was common indeed—she
made the trip to act as breadwinner for her family. The
manner, in which she was killed, however, was revolting.
The operative word is “appears.” Beneath the surface,
many issues remain unresolved. BODY
(claim/ argument
Foremost, the employers—Lebanese Nader Essam #1)
Assaf and his Syrian wife Mouna Hassoun— were tried in
absentia. The two fled Kuwait City and were arrested in
Damascus. The husband has been turned over to Lebanese
authorities where he reportedly confessed to the killing.
The wife remains in Syria. It is not known whether, when
or how they would be made to face the consequences of
their action— in Kuwait or anywhere else.
 Here at home, Demafelis’ recruiter, the owner of the our
Lady.of Mount Carmel Global Solutions, remains in hiding.
Again the story is common—unscrupulous recruiters only BODY
(claim/
concern themselves with making the fees without argument #2)
ascertaining the actual risks they put the workers in.
Sometimes, the effects are economic. In other cases, like
Demafelis’, lives are lost.
Administration officials are also still weighing whether the
total ban on the deployment of workers to Kuwait should be
lifted after the Kuwaiti court’s show of good faith. The ban BODY
(claim/
occasioned mixed reactions from the public: Some said it was argument #3)
an impractical, sweeping solution to a particular case —
Kuwait is a destination to more than a quarter of a million
workers—while others agreed it was a proportionate reaction
to a grievous crime.
 Finally, whatever the fate of the suspects, the case just goes
. the extent of the dangers faced by Filipinos who venture
to show
into other countries because of lack of opportunities in their
home country.
The sooner we stop regarding our workers as “prime exports”
and work instead to provide them with sustainable jobs they can RECAP OF THE
MAIN POINTS
keep while living with their families, the better it will be. The
choice to live abroad should be made out of one’s free will, not
out of necessity.
Demafelis’ case is not the first heartbreaking OFW story. The
authorities need to focus on this case and consider the bigger CONCLUSION
picture and long-term situation. If they fail to do so, it will not be
the last, either. (The Manila Standard – 4/3/18)
 SITUATION:
. Demafelis case and the Kuwaiti gov't action
. STAND/POSITION:
It 'appears' justice is served.

CLAIM/ARGUMENT:
Despite the arrest, it is not CLAIM/ARGUMENT: CLAIM/ARGUMENT:
known where and when the Demafelis recruiter
employers will have to face the is still at large Government's slow action on the
consequences. lifting of total ban among Filipinos
from working in Kuawit

RECAP OF THE MAIN POINTS: CONCLUSION:

Serious and lonf-term solution
Unless there's no good job in our country, to end similar cases.
the OFWs will continue to work in Kuwait.
 Safety first
. The Department of Health (DOH) revealed that more and
S more of our countrymen, notably overseas Filipino workers
Situation
(OFWs), are afflicted with the dreaded human-
immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (HIV/AIDS). It sounds really alarming.
There’s urgent need for the Department of Labor and
P Employment (DOLE) to invest more on HIV/AIDS awareness
Position
and prevention among workers in general and OFWs in
particular.
In the view of ACTS-OFW party-list Rep. Aniceto “John”
Bertiz III, awareness and prevention are our best tools
against the deadly disease, which continues to claim the
lives of many Filipinos.
 A total of 5,537 OFWs have either tested positive for HIV
. or have full-blown AIDS. They comprise 11 percent of the
52,280 cases listed in the Department of Health’s National
HIV/AIDS Registry. This is very unfortunate because if we look
at the median age of these OFWs -- at 32 to 34 years old -- they
E are at the top of their lives in terms of potential workforce
Evidence
productivity.
Explanation
Example Migrant workers, particularly seamen, are susceptible to
Extra Details HIV infection because they are exposed to foreign cultures that
(with statistics)
usually encourage high-risk behavior, including casual sex.
After spending lengthy periods at sea, seamen are vulnerable
at foreign ports of call. “And they have the money to pay for
readily available commercial sex services in foreign ports,”
Bertiz said.
In 2017 alone, an average of 41 Filipinos died every month
due to HIV/AIDS. It has worried the health and other
government authorities, religious leaders, employers and
community leaders.
 We cannot just overemphasize the importance
. of improving the country’s HIV/AIDS awareness and
C prevention programs considering the still rising
Conclusion number of Filipinos seeking jobs abroad.

It’s definitely time for concerned government

offices and agencies to act now -- and fast -- if we
are to ensure the health and safety of the
S
Specific Solution
burgeoning Philippine population. (People’s Journal
: 4/10/18)
SPECS
• SITUATION : More and more OFWs getting afflicted by HIV
• POSITION : DOLE needs to invest on HIV awareness campaign
• EXPLANATION: statistics are given and how rapidly HIV is spreading
• CONCLUSION : still many are seeking jobs abroad, so HIV awareness is
a must
• SOLUTION : act now to ensure the health and safety of the burgeoning
population.
 Curbing illicit activities
Being the largest school in the division, Quezon High has an average
enrolment of 10,000 students annually. What springs from the big
S population is also a big problem especially on safety for both students
Situation
and teachers.
Within the first two quarters of the current school year, three
cases of prevalent thefts happened in the campus. These occurred
separately on different dates. All these cases happened when major
school activities are being held. While some students left their
P belongings inside their classroom, these thieves attack. The most
Problem recent happened during the rehearsals of wellness program of the
arising from MAPEH department. The thieves cut through the grade seven
the Situation
classroom and stole an expensive new DSLR camera, laptops, money,
and other valuables that students bring for their presentation and
projects in school. What worst is that even teachers’ room is
penetrated by these intruders stealing teachers’ bags, money,
cellphones, and other valuables.
 ..
Early this October, a grade 10 student stabbed a
school mate because of heated arguments. The onset of
P cases like these, alarm QNHS’ community. For this reason,
Proposed the PTA officers and the school administration collaborate
course of action to install surveillance cameras within the identified areas.
As much as Php112,000 PTA fund will be spent for CCTV
installation. It’s a big amount indeed, but with big purpose
too.
Installing CCTVs within the school’s vicinity comes as
P
Position
a respite from the fangs of theft, gang clash, drug trade,
and other untoward incidents happening inside the
campus.
 ...
The CCTV cameras are advantageous to QNHS
E grounds. It reduces fear of crimes. Numerous studies have
Explanation determined the presence of cameras in public places
(argument 1) lessen fear of crime in people who use the area. There is
some reduced level of fear of felony among people in CCTV
areas, since people are aware that they are under
surveillance. It also encourages people to be more security
conscious. CCTV camera evidence can be compelling. In a
big school like QNHS, the long-range effects to crime
prevention can be beneficial.
 .
It is a common knowledge that some outsiders
enter the campus despite tight security measures. There
is a chance that crimes such as drug trade happen using
students as couriers. There have been reports about it,
E though witnesses fear to testify. In serious matters like
Evidence
(argument 2) this, police intervention is required. The potential of a
CCTV system plays an important role in drug trade
prevention; it contributes in a detection role. Camera
footage can also help identify potential witnesses who
might not otherwise come forward to the police.
 .
Relatively, CNN Philippines’ report for instance
confirmed that a month after 32 CCTV’s were installed
at Pasig Rotonda last May 2015, weekly theft and
E robbery cases in the area went down from 50 to 10 to
Example three cases – an 80 to 94 percent decrease. This implies
(argument 3) the effectiveness of surveillance cameras to lessen
untoward incidents. Thus, if CCTV cameras are fully
installed in QNHS, the same probability in reducing
thefts, drug trade and gang troubles will surely have
positive result.
 What can be said at this juncture is that CCTV
.
Summary of inside QNHS aids in monitoring suspected
the main
points intruders and their movements in a less intrusive
manner. So, despite some teachers negative
reaction on ‘privacy matters,’ QNHS community in
general finds a silent partner in curbing unlawful
incidents inside the school premises.
The Coconut staff gives its full support to this
noteworthy partnership between the PTA and the
C school administration hoping that not only 10, but
Conclusion
more CCTVs must be installed in all vantage points
of the campus. (The Coconut)
 Ensuring privacy rights
. Despite issues on privacy rights among citizens, the
SITUATION government can proceed to issuing national ID cards after
(NEWS PEG)
President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Monday the Philippine
Identification System (PhilSys) Act into law.
The ID cards contain basic details about the individual citizen, such as
name, sex, birth date, birthplace and address. The card will contain the
biometric information about the individual cardholder. The law will
authorize the collection of photographs taken from the front, full set of
fingerprints and iris scans as may be determined by the Implementing
Rules and Regulations (IRR).
The national ID law will integrate the different IDs issued by the
STRONGEST government, and the citizen will only have to present one card for all
POINT OF THE transactions. The law is expected to cut red tape and provide the public
OPPOSITION additional protection against terrorism and other security threats. This
comes as a legislative priority agenda of the Duterte administration to
improve the delivery of government services.
REJECTION OF
THE
.
OPPOSITION'S
It’s not as simple as that, however.
POINT The ID system has never completely hurdled objections and warnings
that it could pose threats to the security and privacy of the ID cardholders.
Right up to the time President Duterte signed the PhilSys Act into law on
Monday, there remained nagging questions about the measure, particularly on
the aspect of safety of the cardholders’ information.
Remember, it fell short of passage under two presidential
administrations. The ID system was first introduced during the time of former
President Fidel Ramos through Executive Order (EO) 308. It did not push
through after the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional, citing the need
STRONG for legislation.
ARGUMENTS
Another attempt was made during the term of former President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo through EO 420, synchronizing all government-issued ID
cards, calling it the Unified Multi-Purpose Identification System (UMID). The
UMID was issued by select government agencies, but it has not served as a
national ID card.
 Now that Duterte has signed the PhilSys Act into law, the
.
STRONG
ARGUMENTS nation will start living under a single and streamlined
identification system. Oppositions and militants contend that
the national ID system would violate the right to privacy and
infringe on civil liberties.
It is not irrelevant to this debate that several countries are today
using national ID cards for their citizens. Among these are Belgium,
WEIGHING IN China, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland
and Thailand. Perhaps the most persuasive argument for it is that a good
universal ID system will make the delivery of and access to public
services more efficient.
 .

But still it’s a false choice to suggest that we,

SUMMARY OF citizens, must choose between better public services
MAIN POINTS
and privacy rights. In the first place, we should have
both.
Once and for all - Congress must persuade the
CONCLUSION nation that while the national ID system delivers
worthwhile public services; it will also ensure one's
right to privacy. (Manila Times)
I-PO-RO-SA-C
INTRODUCTION/ Situation: national ID system
POSITION: ensuring privacy rights of citizens
POINT OF THE OPPOSITION: second and third paragraph
REJECTION of the opposition's POINT: 4th paragraph
STRONG ARGUMENTS: 5th to 8th paragraph
WEIGHING IN: 9th paragraph
CONCLUSION: last paragraph (recommended course of action)
Title: _______________
1. Situation:
2. Position:
3. Claims/ Arguments:
Affirmative side/s:
a.____________ b. _____________ c. ____________
Negative side/s:
a. ___________ b. _____________ c. ____________
4. Weighing in/ Summary of main points
5. Conclusion
PHASE 3: POST WRITING/ASSESSMENT. WHAT IS
COMMON AMONG THE SAMPLE EDITORIALS?
• State the problem/situation
• Give your position on the problem
• Explain. Justify your position. Present comprehensive argumentsa
and background of the problem.
• Weigh in.
• Summarize the main points
• Craft a conclusion. Offer a solution to the problem/ call for an
action.
WHY NOT? TRY ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES
IN WRITING AN EDITORIAL
• developmental - reform - oriented.
purposive - it presents arguments as a way of social
communication in the service of development.
pragmatic- it presents arguments based on practical
considerations delivered in a 'light' manner.
• Forward-looking (with reference to present
condition)
SAMPLE DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH
Shared identity
Along with the DepEd's thrust to uphold the inclusive
education among public schools lies an effort to make it
accessible to all types of learners regardless of color, race,
gender, religions and physical condition. This thrust has
cultivated a positive impact in the mindset of Quezon High
regular students who are now embracing the concept of
diversity.
points discussed in the body:
2nd paragraph: QNHS students' culture before inclusive education
(bullying cases, apathy to co-students who are 'different.')
3rd paragraph: how inclusive education is introduced
4th paragraph: impact on how inclusive education has reformed the
academic and social culture among students
5th paragraph: Relevance of inclusive education to school's mantra (a
caring school).
6th paragraph:problem it still faces despite positive results
CONCLUSION:
7th paragraph: call for action.
.
•.
 forward - looking sample
It's about time we revisit the foundation years in a
stement of the
news/topic
Filipino child's life - his education from Kindergarten to
grade 12.
Let us begin with a conclusion in mind.
By the end of this schooling period, Filipino youth are
able to decide on the career path they want to pursue in
their lives. This is the key advanntage of this borad-based
forward-looking
claims educational system, aimed at cultivating a holistic
personality among learners who would showcase a
stronger passion for education. Likewise, they would
demonstrate unprecedented competitiveness in the fast
evolving knowledge-intensive globalized society.
 ...
Debatable from the onset, the system has taken hard blows
from the critics of the present administration. The economic
circumstance tops the thorny objections seconded by lack of
preparation, boiling down to claims of the swift
implementation's being nothing but ambitious.
stand/position Reality check: The program is now off the ground airborne.
The best thing we can do is support it.
The goal of the system adaptation is to support our students
present situation by absolute means. Exposure to innovative teaching techniques
leads to sustenance of a high quality education which also
ensures teaching staff's efficiency.
...
Apparently, the mastery of core competencies for life-long learning
and preparedness for work, higher education, middle-level skills
development takes the learners to a higher level. It is focused on the
individual's inclination and capacity that they will bloom to their fullest
potential. It is a practical approach to learning which fosters innovation
- the most essential ingredient in this modern world.
By uplifting the policy of a mother tongue - based multilingual
education, we will instill nationalism among young minds. Children
today are exposed to a wide presence of computers and their natural
curiosity in navigating these modern gadgets requires full grasp of the
universal language. K to 12 curriculum deepens the learners' roots.
 ...
The societal impact of this system in
SUMMARY OF THE MAIN
POINTS WITH FORWARD-
undeniable. The Philippine education is now at par
LOOKING NOTE with international standards. It is noteworthy that
these will cause global communities to relook at
the Filipinos.

All of these are positives. Let's all be positive

CALL TO ACTION
about K to 12.
Write an
editorial
based
on
this
issue.
 Editorial writing 102
Write an editorial based on the news item below:
Baguio City Rep. Mark Go authored House Bill No. 473, known as the
"Public School Class Size Law of 2016.
The bill provides that each class to be handled by a single teacher shall
have a standard size of 35 students.
ACT Rep. Antonio Tinio cited data from the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Institute for Statistics, stating that
classrooms in the Philippines are among the most crowded in Asia.
“The country’s public elementary schools’ average class size of 43.9 is far
bigger than Malaysia’s 31.7, Thailand’s 22.9, Japan’s 23.6, and India’s 40,”
said Tinio. In public high schools, the country registered an average size of
56.1, higher than Malaysia's 34, Thailand's 41.5, Japan's 33.9, and India's
39," he added.
credits.
• Philippine Daily Inquirer (The Duterte Method)
• Manila Standard (It's not over)
• Manila Times (Ensuring public safety)
• People's Journal (First thing firsts)
• Ms. Cha Aguilar's article (K to 12)
• ANC video on Sec. Briones
• The World Tonight video clip on anti-tambay
• The Coconut (Shared Identity)
.

thank you for listening.