In opinion writing, you must stay objective, dispassionate and neutral. Your opinions belong in your writing.
There are four important goals to help guide an editorial writer according to the textbook. The first goal is to serve your public. As an editorial writer you want to take a strong position. The second goal is to provide a forum for readers, community, nation. With this goal the editorial writer wants to make sure that their views are known. The third goal is to be society's watchdog. The fourth goal is to inform and guide your readers. As an editorial writer is important that you do your reporting and research; you immerse yourself into the facts and conflicting views; think through the issues at hand, and step forward with courage to write.
Opinion writers must make sure that they avoid any conflicts of interests and should serve the public's interest.
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Emily, I mostly agree with your summary of the readings here, except for that very first graph where you say "In opinion writing, you must stay objective, dispassionate and neutral. Your opinions belong in your writing."
ReplyDeleteYes, you try and remain objective, meaning make sure that you checked and rechecked your facts and that your opinion is the most logical based on the evidence out there. BUT you definitely cannot and are not expected to be dispassionate or neutral. That is the whole point of having an opinion, you show readers what you're passionate about and you clearly have a position or argument; you cannot write a "neutral" column. So please remember that; there's no place for neutrality or dispassion on the opinion page :)