Editorial facts for kids
An editorial is a special article found in a newspaper or magazine. It shares the official opinion of the newspaper's senior editors. Think of it as the newspaper itself telling you what it thinks about important topics. Editorials are often not signed by a specific writer. In some countries, like the United States, they are sometimes called "opinion" pieces. Editorials can even be in the form of a cartoon!
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What is an Editorial?
Editorials are written by the most experienced editors of a newspaper or magazine. They are different from regular news stories, which just report facts. An editorial gives a strong opinion on a current event or issue. The editors decide which topics their readers will want to know the newspaper's view on.
Why do Newspapers Write Editorials?
Newspapers write editorials to influence public opinion. They want to encourage readers to think in a certain way about an issue. Editorials can also support or oppose certain actions or policies. They help readers understand the newspaper's stance on important matters.
Where Can You Find Editorials?
Editorials are usually published on a special page called the editorial page. This page often includes letters to the editor from readers. These letters let the public share their own opinions. The page next to the editorial page is called the op-ed page. "Op-ed" means "opposite the editorial." This page features opinion pieces written by people who don't work for the newspaper.
Sometimes, a newspaper might publish an editorial on its front page. This is rare in English-speaking countries. It only happens for topics considered extremely important. However, it is more common in some European countries like Spain, Italy, and France.
Who Writes Editorials?
Many newspapers do not put the author's name on an editorial. Some believe this helps readers focus on the issue itself, not the person who wrote it. However, an editorial always shows the newspaper's official position. The head of the newspaper, called the editor, is responsible for all editorials. Even if the editor doesn't write it, they oversee it and approve its content.
Editorials Can Change Over Time
Newspapers' opinions can change over many years. For example, in 2018, a New Zealand newspaper called The Press looked back at its old editorials. They found that their views had changed on topics like women's suffrage in New Zealand. Women gained the right to vote in 1893 in New Zealand. An old editorial from The Press had said that women would "much prefer staying at home" than going to vote. Today, the newspaper's view is very different!
Editorials in Fashion Magazines
In fashion publishing, the word "editorial" often means something different. It refers to photo-editorials. These are usually full-page photographs. They focus on a specific theme, designer, or model. Sometimes they have text, like a photo-essay, and sometimes they don't.
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