An editorial is an opinion piece that presents a viewpoint on a topic. The viewpoint is based on experience, supporting evidence and objective analysis, or a combination of these factors. A strong editorial can capture the attention of readers and influence public perceptions. Editorials can take the form of a newspaper or magazine article, a thesis statement, a news story, a letter to the editor or an opinionated newsletter. In addition, they can also be found online as a blog post or social media commentary.
The term is often used for an opinion piece in a newspaper or other periodical, but it can be applied to any type of publication or broadcasting program. It may also be used to describe an editorial board, which is a group of editors in a publication or broadcasting organization who regularly compile and release opinions on topics they feel are important.
Writing an editorial can be difficult, because it is a challenging balance to maintain between informative and entertaining writing. A good editorial should be measured and fair, presenting both sides of the issue, and it should engage the audience in a debate. An effective editorial should also include a call to action, but it is important that the reader understands how you expect them to respond.
Some editorials are critical, while others are appreciative. In the case of an appreciative editorial, the writer is praising a person, place or thing for their contribution to society. A critical editorial, however, must present a counterargument and explain why the opposing view is flawed.