You'll have better luck at herding cats.* The elements that produce sound opinion writing can't be taught by formula or textbook. Trying to teach editorial writing offers the same possibility for success as herding cats. Can't be done. Like most opinions this is open to argument, including that which posits all craft can be taught. To an extent, that's true. Given a reasonably eager student, a set of facts, and the template - who, what, where, when, why, and how - anyone can be taught to write a news story. Given a glass of Scotch, an after-dinner conversation, and some subtle encouragement, eliciting an opinion on the same news stow is possible. Nevertheless, those who don't do it presume pre·sume v. pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing, pre·sumes v.tr. 1. To take for granted as being true in the absence of proof to the contrary: We presumed she was innocent. that the occupation of anonymous editorial writing (and its companion and more personal business of opinion-column writing) is easy and quantitative. After all, don't we take a set of circumstances and simply say yea or nay nay adv. 1. No: All but four Democrats voted nay. 2. And moreover: He was ill-favored, nay, hideous. n. 1. A denial or refusal. ? As one wit proposed about editorial writing, it "consists of going to the scene of a disaster and shooting the survivors." To the credit of all of us engaged in this soul-satisfying business, we make it look so easy. It is neither easy nor teachable teach·a·ble adj. 1. That can be taught: teachable skills. 2. Able and willing to learn: teachable youngsters. , beyond the simple format of what it is, what you think, and why the reader should care. Editorial writing requires a separate talent. And this specific talent matures as its practitioner ages. (I should point out, though, that just age doesn't make for a competent editorial writer, no matter how many years' experience on cityside one has logged.) Editorial writing, as anyone who reads the commentary pages of a student newspaper becomes painfully aware, needs more than merely opinions and opportunity. It requires a broad education, a desire to change the world, and most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , the right seasoning. Editorial writing is rarely done well by most 25-year-olds because they lack age and experience. This is not to say that young people can't write editorials. (I'm tempted to say they shouldn't write editorials, but that would be a sign of old-fogeyism.) It is that with every year of institutional memory and life experience, the qualities an editorial writer needs are enhanced. The best editorial writers have a strong sense of self, a skepticism (although not cynicism Cynicism See also Pessimism. Antisthenes (444–371 B. C.) Greek philosopher and founder of Cynic school. [Gk. Hist.: NCE, 121] Apemantus churlish, sarcastic advisor of Timon. [Br. Lit. ) about all governments and institutions, and a persuasive ability at Socratic dialogue Socratic dialogue (Greek Σωκρατικός λόγος or Σωκρατικός διάλογος . Editorial writers can be taught how to craft a sentence, but no one can be taught the passion or experience the art needs. NCEW NCEW National Conference of Editorial Writers member Catherine Ford is a columnist with the Calgary Herald The Calgary Herald is a daily newspaper published in the Canadian city of Calgary, Alberta . Its major competitor is The Calgary Sun. History It was first published on August 31 1883 by Andrew Armour and Thomas Braden as in Alberta, Canada. |
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