The Why, Who and How
of the Editorial Page
fourth edition
Kenneth Rystrom
Virginia Polytechnic and State University
CONTENTS (brief)
For a detailed table of contents, please click on this text line.
Preface
Introduction
SECTION I: THE WHY OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE
1. The Editorial Page That Used to Be
2. The Editorial Page That Should, and Could, Be
SECTION II: THE WHO OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE
3. Anybody for Editorial Writing?
4. Preparation of an Editorial Writer
5. Who Is This Victorian "We"?
6. Relations with Publishers
7. Relations with the Newsroom
8. The Editorial Page Staff
9. Relations with the Community
SECTION III: THE HOW OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE
10. Nine Steps to Editorial Writing
11. Eleven Steps to Better Writing
12. Subjects That Are Hard to Write About
13. Subjects That Are Deceptively Easy
14. Subjects That Are Neglected
15. Editorials on Elections
16. Other Types of Opinion Writing
17. Letters to the Editor
18. Columns and Cartoons
19. Innovations in Design and Content
20. The Editorial Page That May, and Must, Be
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index
CONTENTS (detailed)
Preface
Introduction
SECTION I: THE WHY OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE
Chapter 1: The Editorial Page That Used to Be
News Mixed with Opinion
The Partisan Press
The Populist Press
The Corporate Editorial Page
Recent Bright and Not-So-Bright Spots
Historical Summary
Chapter 2: The Editorial Page That Should, and Could, Be
A Few Bugle Calls
A More Complex Melody
A Variety of Tunes
Today's Song Writers
The Tune Players
SECTION II: THE WHO OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE
Chapter 3: Anybody for Editorial Writing?
The Attractions of Editorial Writing
The Qualifications for Editorial Writing
Who Are These Writers and Editors?
Where Editorial Writers Come From
Chapter 4: Preparation of an Editorial Writer
Undergraduate Education
Continuing Education
Firsthand Experiences
The Editorial Shelf
Culture (Pop and Otherwise)
A Note on Plagiarism
Chapter 5: Who Is This Victorian "We"?
The Case for the Signed Editorial
The Case for the Unsigned Editorial
Editorial Boards
A Compromise-Bylined Articles and Columns
Personal Experiences
Chapter 6: Relations with Publishers
Local Ownership
Group Ownership
Financial Emphasis
The Publisher's Role
Getting along with Publishers
The Case for the Editor
Chapter 7: Relations with the Newsroom
Reporters as Sources
Reporters in the Opinion Process
Editorials in the News Columns
Editorializing about News Policies
Chapter 8: The Editorial Page Staff
What Size Staff?
The One-Person Staff
Division of Duties
Editorial Conferences
Long-Range Planning
The Editorial Writer at Work
Chapter 9: Relations with the Community
To Participate or Not to Participate
To Accept or Not to Accept
Economic Interests
Civic or Public Journalism
Personal Experiences
SECTION III: THE HOW OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE
Chapter 10: Nine Steps to Editorial Writing
Selecting a Topic
Determining Purpose and Audience
Deciding the Tone
Researching the Topic
Determining the General Format
Writing the Beginning
Writing the Body of the Editorial
Writing the Conclusion
Chapter 11: Eleven Steps to Better Writing
The Right Amount of Fact
Logical Conclusions
Consistent Point of View
Clear Referents and Antecedents
Sentences of Appropriate Length
Economy of Words
Correct Grammar
Absence of Cliches and Jargon
Proper Use of Individual Words
Colorful Language
Chapter 12: Subjects That Are Hard to Write About
Economics
Legal Issues
International Affairs
Arts and Culture
Medicine and Health
Religion
Sports and Recreation
Touchy Topics
Chapter 13: Subjects That Are Deceptively Easy
Obituaries
Local Pride
Favorite Subject
The "Duty" Piece
Chapter 14: Subjects That Are Neglected
Science
Natural Resources
Media Issues
Lives of People
Humor and Satire
Chapter 15: Editorials on Elections
Why Endorse?
What Effects?
Whose Views?
What Approach?
Chapter 16: Other Types of Opinion Writing
Signed Articles
Local Columns
Reviews
Broadcast Editorials
Chapter 17: Letters to the Editor
Why Letters?
Building a Letters Column
Stimulating Interest
Setting Up the Rules
Libel in Letters
The Letters Editor
Chapter 18: Columns and Cartoons
Development of Column Writing
Columnists Today
Setting Policies for Columns
Local Columnists
The Role of the Cartoonist
Setting Policies for Cartoons
Cartoonists of the Past
Cartoonists of Today
The Power of the Cartoon
Your Own Cartoonist?
Chapter 19: Innovations in Design and Content
The "Gray" Tradition
Bolder, More Flexible
Today's Pages
Encouraging Reader Participation
Encouraging Diversity of Opinion
Making It Easier for Readers
Bringing the Community Aboard
Op-Ed Pages
Chapter 20: The Editorial Page That May, and Must, Be
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index
Copyright © 1983, 1994, 1999, 2004 Kenneth Rystrom.
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