The most sophisticated and demanding form of editorial is one written using a more literary approach. This piece of persuasion is written using dialogue, repetition, allusion, metaphor and symbolism to convey its message. The best of these editorials use these literary devices as controlling strategies for the entire editorial structure.

Dialect or a humorous tone

Dialect or a humorous tone can be used to give a change-of-pace. When used, it must relate to the subject and enhance the message of the editorial. Try to write a headline and concluding paragraph to package the message and add to reader's enjoyment.

Sometimes dialect can play on stereotypes or recall an age gone by. For example, Al Gore, whether true or not, has the tag of being boring. Some complain he's not like the ol' colorful politicians of Tennessee. Consider what an editorial writer might relate about campaigning, voter expectation, charisma versus substance, image versus issues by using the voice of one of those early politician. With a bit of research, the editorial writer could play off of actual promises made. This use of unstated comparison and contrast to Gore could be quite effective.

Dialogue

Dialogue was used effectively in The Orlando Sentinel editorial, "Ghostly reminder of Scopes." (This editorial appears in Vol. II of Editorial Excellence which is now out of print.) William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow debate creationism and evolution, a topic which is of current interest. Historical perspective is an important component in this approach to editorial writing. Research is very much a part of this editorial; editorial writers must know the positions taken by their personalities and how they would have responded to the opposition.

Repetition

Repetition adds musicality to an editorial. An author repeats a word or phrase to emphasize a point. "Calling Americans to stand up" (In Vol. I of Editorial Excellence. This National Conference of Editorial Writers publication is out of print) effectively uses repetition.

In this February 2, 1981, editorial The Indianapolis News editorial writer uses the phrase "stand up" seven times with variation. The phrase is first used by former Iranian hostage U.S. Navy Cmdr. Don Sharer. He is quoted, "They [the Iranian captors] told me my kids would be kidnapped, my house would be burned down, all sorts of horrible things." He was ordered, eventually, to lie down for execution. Sharer responded, "You're going to [have to] shoot me standing up."

The editorial writer then develops his patriotic message that Americans want to stand up also. They want to stand up for democratic and constitutional principles. He concludes the editorial: "The assessment of history is clear: Americans are a can-do and a stand-up people. There is every reason to believe that they can impose the same verdict upon the future."

Allusion, Metaphor and Symbolism

Allusion allows a writer to present much information with the mention of a name, an event, an organization or place. Through allusion all the denotation and connotation, the history and implications are conveyed by the writer to the reader. Of course, the reader must be educated sufficiently to know mythology, literature, history and current events.

Metaphor and symbolism likewise have the power to embody concepts.

A Model of the Very Best

One of the shortest and seemingly simple editorials, yet most elegant and sophisticated in use of allusion, repetition and symbolism, was written by Mark Genrich. Formerly with The Phoenix Gazette, in which this editorial was published, Genrich reminds us all of mankind's capacity to inflict the greatest horrors against mankind.

"The Angel of Death, they say" has the power to persuade by the sheer beauty of expression. Ironically, as Genrich exposes the darkest and most heinous side of human behavior.