Editorial Text – Definition, Structure, Characteristics, Rules & Writing Method

Understanding Editorial Text

Editorial text is writing written by the main editor of the media that contains opinions, general views, or reactions regarding an event or incident (actual news) that is currently in the public spotlight.

Meanwhile, Kosasih (2017, p. 282) revealed that the editorial text is a particular column for Alma newspaper that contains the media editors' comments, whether they are just opinions, criticisms, praise, or satire on a factual event that is happening on the broader community.

Editorial text is also often referred to as an editorial, which means the main article of a newspaper that contains the editors' views (team of writers and newspaper compilers) on an issue at the time the newspaper was published.

Sumadiria (2011, p. 82) states that editorial can be interpreted as an editorial opinion that contains the media's aspirations, opinions, and official attitudes towards various controversial actual issues, events, or phenomena that are happening in the community.

In essence, this column is a special column in the form of opinions to respond to news that is being hotly discussed among the wider community. Because the thing he responded to was news text, then it also contains facts mixed with subjective opinions (not facts).

Therefore, being able to distinguish between facts and opinions is a must in responding to it. A good editorial text will open a wider horizon and not impose a certain ideology on the reader.

Distinguishing Facts and Opinions in Editorial Texts

However, if our response to the writing is also not good, we could misinterpret its true meaning. In the end, we as readers must also distinguish between facts and opinions to make sure. Here's how to distinguish fact and opinion in an editorial text.

1. Sort the various sentences containing: criticism, assessment, prediction, hope, and suggestion. Such sentences are opinions and not facts.
2. Separate various sentences that contain factual data, such as sentences that state a statistical figure from a trusted institution or direct sentences from the results of interviews with sources.
3. Identify the events, characters, events, and everything related to the news that is commented on in the editorial text.
4. Verify the correctness of various data, events, and all other contexts used in the editorial text. The trick can be as simple as comparing it with news from other media or accessing the official website of the data provider.

Editorial Text Structure

Because the editorial text is an opinion or opinion, then this text is included in the exposition text. Thus, the general structure of this text also includes thesis, argumentation, and affirmation. The following is a complete explanation based on what was disclosed by the Ministry of Education and Culture Team (2017, p. 98).

1.      Thesis (Introduction to Issues)

It is an introduction to the editorial text in the form of opinions and general images regarding the issue being commented on.

2.      Argument (expression of opinion)

A detailed discussion of events was commented on to strengthen opinions in the form of logical arguments and factual data.

3.      Affirmation (repeat)

Are suggestions, recommendations, conclusions, hopes related to solutions, or just future predictions regarding the news being commented on.

Meanwhile, according to Kosasih (2017, p. 285), the following is the structure of the editorial text.

1.      Issue introduction

This section is the opening of an actual problem that is written. Thus, the introduction of the issue in the paragraph is needed to provide initial context to the reader. This section can contain an introduction to the main issues of concern, figures, public opinion (pro-cons), and other general things that help.

2.      Submission of arguments

It is the response of the concerned media compilers (editors) regarding actual events, events, or issues that are being highlighted in the editorial text. In this section, the editor can show his position (his side) with the issues discussed, agree? Do you not agree? Or just appreciate and give praise only.

3.      Conclusion, suggestion, or recommendation

This third part is closing and can be said to be the final attitude, suggestions, conclusions, and recommendations from the commented information.

Good Suggestions/Recommendations

It should be underlined that good advice will not only discuss an overview of the solution. Suggestions must be complete with specific descriptions so that those who are criticized do not feel underestimated. Good advice or recommendations are:

1. It really can be a solution for the recipient of the suggestion to solve the problem.
2. It is practical or practicable, not just theoretical.
3. It is shown a specific description (how to step or how), not just a general description.

Editorial Text Language Rules

Meanwhile, from the linguistic rules, although this text is included in the exposition text, its linguistic characteristics are actually closer to journalistic language. This is because, basically, the purpose of writing an editorial text is to convey an opinion about a news item.

Therefore, it is only natural that the linguistic rules are still closely related to the news text. The following are the language features or linguistic rules of editorial texts.

1. Many use rhetorical sentences. The main rhetorical sentence often used is a question sentence that is not intended to be answered but to stimulate the reader to reflect on a problem more deeply.
2. The use of popular words makes it easier for the public to digest, such as: predicting, imaging, ballads, surprised, etc. Popular words are also intended to keep the reader relaxed even though the writing is filled with critical responses.
3. Many use demonstrative pronouns that refer to places, events, times, such as: this, that, here, that.
4. Many use conjunctions or causal conjunctions (cause and effect) such as: so, because, because, because of that (Kemdikbud, 2017, p. 100).

Editorial Text Characteristics (Editorial Text Contents)

Based on the various explanations that have been presented, it can be concluded that the characteristics of editorial texts are as follows:

1. Contains actual facts or events, currently being discussed, to controversial.
2. In the form of opinions or opinions of the mass media editors on the events reported
3. Have criticism, assessment, appreciation, prediction, suggestions, and expectations for the issues discussed.
4. Some suggestions or recommendations can be a solution, shown by how to do it concretely.

Stages of Writing Editorial Text

To put it simply, Sumadiria (2011, p. 90) reveals that the process of working on an editorial text (the editorial) is divided into four stages, namely:

1. Idea and topic search
2. Selection and topic determination
3. Weighting the substance of the material and determining the thesis
4. Writing implementation process

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and Culture Team (2017, p. 106), the steps for writing an editorial text are as follows.

1. Read two or three editorial texts/editorials from different news sources (mass media) as references for various writing styles.
2. Arrange the data on the main issues to be formulated into a general statement.
3. Search for supporting data for previously written general statements from various trusted sources such as books, trusted mass media, research institutions, statistical centers, scientific journals both online and offline.
4. Arrange the details of the data, then analyze and make arguments based on the results of the analysis.
5. Interpret the various arguments that have been made into opinions in the form of criticism, appreciation, hope, or general assessment.
6. Put forward suggestions or recommendations and show how to provide solutions, not just criticizing or detailing the goodness, not just praising.
7. Pack the entire framework that has been prepared into an editorial text with effective sentences and paragraphs so that it is not too long and remains light to read; 8-10 paragraphs, each paragraph consists of 2-3 sentences.

Then, Kosasih (2017, p. 293) said the steps that must be taken are as follows:

1.      choose (select)

It is a step that selects the hot issues to be raised in his writing.

2.      collect (collect)

The purpose of collecting is to collect various data that can strengthen the arguments and opinions that will be conveyed so that the editorial is more than just an opinion.

3.      Connect (connect)

This means linking or connecting data and arguments to discussing them with all editorial members because editorials represent the media as a whole, not personal opinions.

4.      Correcting

Reread the writing thoroughly and ensure there is no accuracy in content, structure, and linguistic rules.

Editorial Text Example

A collection of examples of editorial texts and their structure can be seen in the article below.

Examples of Editorial Texts and TheirStructures (Various Themes)