Be a tough editor What to look for in a sharp editorial - PowerPoint Presentation

Be a tough editor What to look for in a sharp editorial

Be clear an succinct ‘Don’t use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do’ Tobacco smoking—a crucial modifiable risk factor for organ system diseases and cancer—remains prevalent in the United States and globally. Each year, the American Cancer Society encourages smokers to quit smoking on the third Thursday of November. Smoking causes half a million deaths annually in the US alone . Although organizations like the American Cancer Society encourage smokers to quit, 15% of US citizens still smoke. To protect these people, I think smoking should be banned in its entirety.

Or, start with a story People absorb data, but they  feel  stories. For example: “It’s just after 11 p.m., and Houston police officer Al Leonard has his gun drawn as the elderly black man approaches the patrol car. The 9mm pistol is out of sight, pointing through the car door. Leonard rolls down his window and casually greets the man. ‘What can I do for you?'”

If you’re stuck, find a relevant stat. This is especially effective if the stat is unusual or unexpected. “A whopping 80 percent of Americans are in debt.”

Don’t state the obvious. “The internet provides an immense source of useful information.” Really! You don’t say?

Don’t cite the dictionary. “Merriam-Webster defines marketing as…”.

Write in the active voice. Use strong verbs and decided language. Compare “Dog bites man” to “A man was bitten by a dog” — the passive voice is timid and bland.

John went to the store to pick up some milk. John could not imagine starting a day without his customary bowl of cereal. John thought it might be his only good source of fiber; given the rest of John’s diet. Yes, John was a typical bachelor. Going to the store to pick up some milk, he could not imagine starting a day without his customary bowl of cereal. Thinking it might be his only good source of fiber, given the rest of his diet, he was a typical bachelor. The store sat at the corner of Third and Main. He went there to pick up some milk, because even the thought of starting a day without the customary bowl of cereal—his only good source of fiber—made his colon loosen. The rest of John’s diet sucked. Yes, he was a typical bachelor.

So…………. Be clear and succinct. Simple language is best. Mark Twain said it best: “Don’t use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do.” Or, start with a story. People absorb data, but they  feel  stories. For example: “It’s just after 11 p.m., and Houston police officer Al Leonard has his gun drawn as the elderly black man approaches the patrol car. The 9mm pistol is out of sight, pointing through the car door. Leonard rolls down his window and casually greets the man. ‘What can I do for you?'” If you’re stuck, find a relevant stat. This is especially effective if the stat is unusual or unexpected, as in, “A whopping 80 percent of Americans are in debt. Don’t state the obvious. “The internet provides an immense source of useful information.” Really! You don’t say? Don’t cite the dictionary. “Merriam-Webster defines marketing as…”. Write in the active voice. Use strong verbs and decided language. Compare “Dog bites man” to “A man was bitten by a dog” — the passive voice is timid and bland. Life is short. Mix it up. “John went to the store. John bought milk. He poured the milk in his cereal bowl….”

Be a sharp editor Do the headline and lead captivate you? Can you immediately, in just a few words, tell a classmate what the bottom line of this editorial is? Does the writer express a clear and concise opinion? How does the writer support his/her opinion? Are you convinced by the ‘ evidence ’ that is presented ? Is the editorial a nice read ? Why ( not )?