Assignment overview
Select an article from a newspaper or magazine and write an editorial in response. Your editorial should go beyond
correcting inaccurate information to dispute the author’s underlying assumptions or overt claims. A typical editorial is
approximately 250 to 300 words. Your editorial may need to be shorter or longer depending on the publication to which
you are submitting.
Tips for writing an editorial letter
Be sure to keep the focus of your letter on the claims made in the article and focus your attention on a single aspect of
the article rather than attempting to refute it point by point.
Signal to your reader that you understand the arguments made in the article by providing a succinct. fair. and accurate
summary of the author’s comments.
Phrase your own argument in the positive and avoid merely challenging the author’s claims.
Maintain your credibility by adopting a reasonable, respectful. and gracious tone. If you are finding it difficult to be
respectful. write a first draft in which you tell off the author, call them a dunderhead. and suggest they take a long walk
on a short pier. Then. set that draft aside and start a new one.
Avoid dogmatic claims that may alienate anyone who does not share your particular point of view.
Include in your editorial a call for change. The change might be adopting a different perspective on an issue or
encouraging a specific action such as boycotting of a company.
Carefully proofread your letter for grammar and spelling. The fastest way to lose credibility with your audience is to
submit a shoddily written letter.
If your letter is in response to a specific article. be sure to include in your letter reference to the author. title. and date
when the article was published.
Submitting your letter
After you have composed your letter. submit it directly to the publication. Be sure to read carefully any formatting and
Avoid dogmatic claims that may alienate anyone who does not share your particular point of view.
Include in your editorial a call for change. The change might be adopting a different perspective on an issue or
encouraging a specific action such as boycotting of a company.
Carefully proofread your letter for grammar and spelling. The fastest way to lose credibility with your audience is to
submit a shoddily written letter.
If your letter is in response to a specific article. be sure to include in your letter reference to the author. title. and date
when the article was published.
Submitting your letter
After you have composed your letter. submit it directly to the publication. Be sure to read carefully any formatting and
submission instructions provided by the editors of the publication.