News editorials are opinion pieces that speak to current issues that matter to people. These pieces are designed to inform, educate and entertain. Editorials have a lighter tone than standard news articles, and they are often the only parts of a newspaper in which opinions are expressed. There are four commonly accepted types of editorial content: interpretive, critical, persuasive and praising.
When writing an editorial, writers use rhetorical strategies to express their opinions and persuade readers. This can include emotional appeals (pathos), credibility building through citation of expert opinions and scientific studies (ethos) or logical reasoning using statistics and numbers (logos).
As the name suggests, interpretive editorials attempt to explain the meaning or significance of a topic or event. They may also be used to highlight an aspect of an event that has been overlooked or misunderstood. For example, an editorial on Putin’s reelection might begin with the statement: “Putin’s authoritarian rule has reached a new low.”
A critical editorial is meant to inspire action and change. A critical editorial can focus on a specific problem or issue, such as climate change, and suggest several ways to solve it. This type of editorial is typically written in the first person and uses persuasive language to urge readers to take action. It can also be written about an individual, such as a scientist who has contributed to society, in order to praise them and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.