Chapter 5: Writing the Opinion Column

Question 1

No newspaper would be complete without this. It contains a staple of columnists.

Answer 1

op-ed page, the page “opposite the editorial”

Question 2

This page, together with the editorial page, is the heart of the page. It is its true voice.

Answer 2

op-ed page, the page “opposite the editorial”

Question 3

Like any other form of newswriting, this is based on facts not fiction. At the same time, it is usually focused on one particular aspect of an issue. It never tries to be as comprehensive as a news article or feature. In fact, a series of opinion pieces can be written on just one issue, each article breaking down the issue and looking at it from various angles.

Unlike a news story that aims to simply inform readers of the Ws and H, it often takes a stand on an issue. Moreover, it usually seeks to persuade or convince readers to share the same stand.

Answer 3

opinion piece

Question 4

This is a key element in an opinion column.

Answer 4

Persuasion

Question 5

Since persuasion is a key element in an opinion column, it follows that having _ is necessary for a writer.

Answer 5

conviction

Question 6

_ can range from uber serious, such as editorials and news analyses, to humorous and light.

Answer 6

Opinion articles

Question 7

However, in the case of a _, the choice of style (i.e., being serious or funny) is made from prior to the publication of the first column article.

Answer 7

newspaper column

Question 8

Apart from the 5 Cs of effective writing (clear, concise, correct, credible, and complete), columnists are also consistent. A _ does not swing back and forth between two extremes. The style he/she chooses gives the column its personality and the columnist his/her voice.

Answer 8

columnist’s style

Question 9

Slang for a tech-savvy illiterate.

Answer 9

Jejemon

Question 10

The typical forms of opinion writing.

Answer 10

Editorial, News analysis, Humor, Reviews, Specialized commentary, Advice

Question 11

An opinion article written by a senior editor, which expresses the sentiments of the editorial board regarding a particular issue.

Answer 11

Editorial

Question 12

It is usually an opinion piece regarding a current issue; however, it could also be a “behind-the-scene” look at a news story or additional but unverified data regarding a news story that a journalist was covering.

Answer 12

News analysis

Question 13

Ellen Tordesilla’s column in Malaya.

Answer 13

Making Life Worth Living

Question 14

A satirical or witty column that makes fun of life’s contradictions (e.g., Jessica Zafra’s column in the Philippine Star) or the online opinion blog “The Professional Heckler.

Answer 14

Humor

Question 15

A writer’s assessment of a new book, movie, or restaurant, such as Nestor Torre’s column “Viewfinder” in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Answer 15

Reviews

Question 16

A column about a specialized field. This type of column is usually written by a professional from that field, an enthusiast or a hobbyist. For example, Tessa Jazmines’ sports column, “Part of the Game,” in Business Mirror.

Answer 16

Specialized commentary

Question 17

An interactive column that solicits questions from readers. Like a specialized column, it is written by someone with experience in the field; for example, a column on parenting could be written by a guidance counselor or experienced family psychology expert such as Jose Sison’s “A Law a Day” in the Philippine Star.

Answer 17

Advice

Question 18

Provides people what they want to read about. It should be timely and significant to the target audience.

Answer 18

effective opinion piece

Question 19

Three basic parts of an opinion piece. Its structure is similar to an essay, except that it begins with a newswriting lead.

Answer 19

introduction, body, conclusion

Question 20

Could be in the form of statistics, laws and policies, or anecdotes and experiences.

Answer 20

Facts

Question 21

The attribution of human characteristics to anything other than a human being.

Answer 21

Personification

Question 22

For a high school paper, this gives each new editorial team a chance to let their voices be heard.

Answer 22

Editorial Column

Question 23

Usually written by the editor in chief or managing editor, but reflects not only the voice of that person but the collective voice of the editorial staff.

Answer 23

editorial

Question 24

An editorial tackles a timely issue, which the editors decide upon in a so-called _. During this conference, editors brainstorm for topics that would be the best issue to discuss and come up with a consensus on the paper’s stand.

Answer 24

story conference

Question 25

Types of editorial.

Answer 25

Explanatory, Interpretative, Critique, Persuasive, Praise

Question 26

This type of editorial seeks to give readers a better understanding of an issue and the particular approach a paper had taken in covering an issue. It could be sort of a behind-the-scene story of the challenges reporters faced in covering a story. For example, an editorial on the earthquake that hit Baguio some years ago explained that the reporters had to hike around 16 kilometers to Baguio and brave the dangers of an avalanche just to get the story.

Answer 26

Explanatory

Question 27

Similar to a news analysis, this type of editorial seeks to interpret a timely event, telling the readers the editors’ view of the situation. For example, during the 2010 elections, an editorial could focus on whether people should believe in the polls and why it is considered newsworthy.

Answer 27

Interpretative

Question 28

This type of editorial makes a critical assessment of policies, actions, and decisions. It can identify problems the policies or actions create or present alternatives to the decisions taken. For example, an editorial of this type could be a critique of the new tax law. For a school paper, it could be a review of the new policy for removing the sale of junk food in the canteen.

Answer 28

Critique

Question 29

While all editorials are generally persuasive, this type of editorial aims to influence readers into accepting a solution or action proposed by the newspaper. For example, an editorial can persuade readers to boycott a certain product that uses child labor as part of its production process, or it can persuade readers of the importance of segregating waste.

Answer 29

Persuasive

Question 30

Editorials could be used to praise an achievement by a person or institution. It could also serve as a tribute to someone, like a retiring school principal.

Answer 30

Praise

Question 31

An eight-year-old reader who asked, “Is there a Santa Claus?” from the most famous editorial in western history written in 1897 for the New York Sun.

Answer 31

Virginia O’Hanlon

Question 32

One of the classic editorials in Philippine history, written on March 18, 1972 for the Philippines Free Press.

Answer 32

Same Dog, Different Collar?