An editorial is an opinion piece that expresses the views of a publication’s editor or publisher. Editorial content speaks to timely issues, informs and educates readers, while also raising awareness and encouraging action. An editorial can be in the form of a column, letter to the editor, or public statement. An editorial is often accompanied by a byline.
Many newspapers and magazines have a dedicated section for editorials, and they are usually positioned as the leading article of the newspaper or magazine. Some newspapers classify all editorials as an op-ed, regardless of the topic.
In academic journals, an editorial is a short comment on the journal’s recent issue or on important scientific, political and/or policy events. It is sometimes written by the journal editor to highlight connections between papers within an issue or on a topic. Alternatively, the editor may invite experts to write a so-called guest editorial. For example, after the publication of the groundbreaking State of the World’s Midwives Report in 2011, we wrote an editorial for the International Journal of Childbirth (IJC).
A good editorial aims to persuade readers by making a compelling argument. It should make a clear call to action, such as urging the government to protect the environment, parents to choose healthier foods for their children or companies to take responsibility for the carbon footprint of their products. An effective editorial is balanced by acknowledging the points of view of the opposing side. Using personal stories and examples of your own experience is a great way to convey your point of view in an editorial.
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