The main difference between news articles and editorials is the purpose of writing. In news articles, the intention of the writing, or the article itself, is to plainly report facts that are verifiable. Meanwhile, editorials include and promote opinions to stimulate the public's perception about the given topic through the lens of the publication.
What is a News Article?
News articles are plain and straightforward reporting of facts and information about a certain event that concerns a considerable amount of people. News articles are unbiased and objective. It only aims to inform the public and offers a variety of POVs (points of view) but it doesn’t promote one.
Some examples of news articles are political issues, social issues, natural disasters, or court cases. Usually, it follows the “inverted pyramid” format in journalism, where the most important information comes first. The information in the first part of the hierarchy must answer the questions 5W and 1H (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How), then followed by additional details, and lastly background or extra information.
What is an Editorial Article?
Editorials promote the opinion of the writer or the whole publication about a certain issue. The articles published in the editorials are decided by the editorial staff. It can be inferred that editorials are biased because, most likely, they will serve the political or business interest of the firm.
Editorials also follow a structure like news articles, their counterpart, and it is as follows: lead with an objective definition of the issue at hand, presenting personal viewpoint, refuting the opposing opinion, analysis, conclusion, and summary.
Difference Between News and Editorials Articles
Although news articles and editorials can both be found in a newspaper and may address the same issues, there are a variety of clear reasons as to why they are different. It is really important to point out objective news reporting and subjective, opinionated articles because they may affect the public opinion on a certain issue.
Nature of Content
News Articles are factual and punctual. They are very clear, cohesive and concise. On the other hand, editorials build arguments to address a certain issue and present the opinion of the author or the publication. In simple terms, news articles are objective while editorials are subjective.
For example, a news article will simply tell the details about a presidential candidate winning the national election. An editorial will talk about its implications in both local and international affairs of the country in the future.
Intention
News Articles deliver information in a simple, straightforward, serious tone that aims to inform the public about a certain issue only. While the objective of editorials is to explain, criticize, persuade, and praise. Editorials promote critical thinking and affect public opinion.
For example, a news article will report the facts of a case about a certain crime story. On the contrary, an editorial article can invoke topics about social justice and human rights.
Point of View (POV)
The point of view in which news articles are written is in 3rd person. It uses the pronouns “they” or “them”. On the other hand, editorials are in the 1st person point of view. Editorial articles use the pronoun “I” or “we” due to the nature that they are promoting the opinion of the writer or publication. News articles simply report about the story and don't empathize or use emotion.
Sources of Topics
The editorial staff has the option or privilege to choose which topics they are going to address. Meanwhile, news writers are limited in their options. Obviously, news writers should report up-to-date, fresh, goings-on that is still timely relevant upon the day of publication.
Usually, editorial topics could be about politics, social and environmental issues, or other thought-provoking, argumentative topics that entice public opinion. However, news articles are constrained with choices as they are dependent on relevance and proximity.
Examples of Content
In news articles, content may vary from politics, sports, arts, businesses, science and technology, and other relevant fields as long as the stories are fresh, concerning, and suitable for the time that they would be published. However, for editorials, the timeliness of the topic isn’t much of an issue, as long as the topic is relevant and important.
Comparison Chart: News Article Vs Editorial
| Specifications | News Article | Editorial |
| Nature of Content | Factual, Punctual, Clear, Concise, Objective | Subjective, Fact-Based Arguments |
| Intention | To Inform | To Explain, Criticize, Persuade, and To Praise |
| Point of View (POV) | 3rd Person POV (Them, They) | 1st person POV (I, We) |
| Sources of Topics | Day to day goings-on Dependent on Timeliness, Relevance and Proximity | Thought-provoking issues on society, politics, sports, and so on |
| Examples | Politics, Sports, Business | Existing issues that needs discussion |
Similarities Between News Articles and Editorials
While there are obvious differences between news articles and editorials, some similarities can also be pointed out. Since they usually are co-existing in a newspaper, news articles and editorials are credible sources of information and opinion. By reading their content, a person can widen his or her own horizons and understanding of an existing issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Editorial the same as News articles?
The term article simply means a written document or a piece of writing in newspapers, magazines and other publications. It can be inferred that editorials are also articles. But news articles are not the same as editorials simply because of their nature. One is objective and the other is subjective.
What makes an article editorial?
An article can be tagged as editorial if the information presented is subject to the writer’s or author’s own opinion. If the aim of the article is to explain, criticize, persuade, or praise, it is, then, an editorial. The simple way to tell if an article is editorial is if it suggests opinions.
How to write a news article?
A news article should be concise, comprehensive, and clear. It must also be error-free, unbiased, and straightforward. So, writing a news article would be successful if a person would write an outline first, and then research the details about the subject being written thoroughly.
Conclusion
Nowadays, where information and opinion are abundant and oversaturated, identifying facts from opinion is really important. So, reading news articles and editorials would teach people how to differentiate the two while learning something new every day.
