Editorial Writing Intro

take a stand

UIL Editorial Writing

Alyssa Boehringer,UIL Journalism Director

editorial writing

An article that states the newspaper’s stance on a particular issue.
Basically, it’s a persuasive essay that offers a solution to a problem.

when
you get
the
prompt

Look for dates1.

what’s the central issue?

2.

who supports the pro and the con?

3.

what difference can you make?

4.

Who is your audience?

5.

Editorial
person
AKA the highly-capable
and hardworking human

No quotes!

head

Girls sports teams could have an
adjustment to their mascot if the school
board approves a petition by senior Nicole
Moutry to finally drop the diminutive word
“Lady” from the Lady Leopards team name
at its March 27 meeting.
the lead

Don’t be afraid to drop your
opinion in the lead. Be
creative. Get the time
element (future event) in
there.

neck

The school board should approve the
proposal to change the names of girls
sports teams so that all school teams can
unite and be known as the “Leopards.”
take a stand

Be clear and concise. Set
the stance apart in its own
paragraph.

body

Give three reasons why you’re taking this
stand.

The word “lady” diminishes the power
of female athletes.
It’s common for teams to experience
mascot changes.
They have a fundraising plan.

give reasons for taking
your stance

TIP: Include thoughts that
aren’t given to you in the
prompt.

right arm

If huge organizations with large fan bases
can make such changes to their names to
be more respectful of marginalized
communities, the school can make the
effort to consolidate the boys and girls
teams into one mascot.

support your argument with
evidence and examples

Bonus points if you use examples
not given to you in the prompt.

left arm

While it may take time, fundraising and
hard work, changing the names of the girls
sports teams is possible. Moutry has even
suggested reaching out to local
businesses to sponsor jersey
replacements as an option.

refute the opposition.

You can do this in its own paragraph
or weave it into your examples.

legs

Every girl on the volleyball, basketball, and
soccer team has signed the petition. It is
imperative for the school board to listen to
its athletes and how they want to be
represented in their community. Teams
should drop the “Lady” and all be
Leopards together.

restate the stance. Give a
solution or call-to-action.

TIP: Propose a solution not found in
the prompt.

‘NOTHER TIP: Roast!

roastroast

roast

There’s nothing wrong with being a lady.
The school board should reject this
proposal and keep the traditional name the
way it is — the way it has been since 1972.
a zinger.

a way to make your paper
memorable to the reader
(and the judges!)
Make it memorable!

Editorial
person
AKA the highly-capable
and hardworking human

sound advice

Get the time element in there.
No whining “it’s not fair.”
Don’t over-stretch.
Keep it third person or first person plural.
Double check spelling and grammar.
Use active voice.
Offer a good solution.
Develop your own recipe for a salty, spicy ROAST.

What’s the issue?

What side

would you take?

What reasons
would you give?

what’s the most
fair solution?

Tierney Withrow, Argyle HS

A proposal by Superintendent Alberto Fedrigotti would create a district police department by hiring a licensed police
chief, dispatcher and one officer for each of the two high school campuses and the two middle school campuses. The
estimated cost of creating the department would top $1.2 million for infrastructure, equipment, facilities, vehicles and
employee salaries. The school board will vote on the proposal Thursday.
The board must pass Fedrigotti’s proposal to create a district police department.
The current campus police system is not efficient. To comply with a 2023 state law requiring at least one armed security
guard on every school campus, the district hired retired police officers to serve as school marshals. When an arrest
happens on campus, the district and marshals collaborate with three different law enforcement agencies. Forming a district
police department simplifies the process of keeping students safe.
If a major incident were to happen on a campus, having police on site could diffuse the situation faster. A study by the
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights showed that schools with police officers on campus have 30% fewer
fights and threats and a 150% increase in weapon detection on campuses. The district needs police working to prevent
crime rather than just responding to it when it happens.
Those opposing the proposal believe creating the department is too costly. However, there will be no additional tax
increase for the community. According to Fedrigotti, the cost of forming the department is a small increase to funds used
last year to hire the marshals.
A district police department would be beneficial to the district. Students, staff and parents must speak at the board
meeting and show their support for Fedrigotti’s proposal to prioritize campus safety.

5A State champion, Tops in Texas

joy zhou, lake travis HS

To comply with a state law requiring armed security guards on school campuses, Superintendent Alberto Fedrigotti proposed creating
district police department rather than their current marshal program that requires the school to collaborate with three different law
enforcement agencies.
When the school board votes on Thursday, they should accept Fedrigotti’s proposal because creating a district police department would
not cost a lot more than what is already being allocated, it would increase efficiency and allow police to develop a trusting relationship with
students and staff.
Those arguing against the proposal claim that the $1.2 million required to build new infrastructure and pay officers is too costly when the
school’s current system works. However, the cost would be mitigated through the reallocation of current funds for the marshal system, and
no additional tax increase would be required.
Furthermore, the cost of a serious accident or threat to students’ safety is more detrimental than the potential costs. Under the current
system, school marshals can not make arrests or investigate crimes. In contrast, schools with police officers on campus can and have 30%
fewer fights according to a study by the U.S. Department of Education Office. Marshals can not act with the same efficiency as the school
must communicate between departments. By the time a major incident is reported, under the current system, it may be too late.
Some students do not feel comfortable around security or police. This would remain true for both school marshals and real district police.
However, district police could develop closer relationships with the students and staff to mitigate feelings of discomfort. Students would also
be more educated on how to interact with law enforcement and can practice asking for help when needed, a vital skill for after they graduate.
District police will not only improve the safety of students and staff, but allow police to foster an environment built on trust. If corruption is a
concern from the police’s close relationship with the district, checks must be put in place such as with outside inspections or a joint solution
with occasional collaboration with outside agencies while still retaining the benefits of efficiency and increased safety of a district police
department, that can properly address serious incidents.
If the school board cares about student safety over economic costs, they should accept Fedrigott’s proposal while putting proper checks
in place.

6A State champion

Brielle Kellems, comanche HS

Superintendent Alberto Fedrigotti submitted a proposal in March detailing plans for an on-campus police force. This district police
department would replace the current school marshals and comply with state regulations of having armed guards on site. The school board
will vote on the proposal Thursday.
The school board should not pass the proposal.
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights revealed in a study that having an active police presence in schools increased the
number of suspensions, expulsions and, most importantly, arrests. The school to prison pipeline is a real occurrence that affects thousands of
Americans every year. Having a district police department would put vulnerable adolescents in a position to be arrested for mistakes or
expelled and forced into at-risk positions. If the administration wants students to have the best opportunities and stay away from a vicious
cycle, then they must not allow active officers to police the district.
Community trust in law enforcement is at an all-time low. Students deserve to feel safe and comfortable at school, but following recent
events, it is more likely that a police force will make them feel uneasy at best. After the tragedy at Uvalde Texas, where local law
enforcement failed to adequately respond to an active threat, parents may be uncomfortable having police officers encharged with the
protection of their children.
Checks and balances must be in place amongst institutions of power. School districts are not infallible. The school district cannot be held
accountable for any wrongdoing if they oversee the law enforcement. Furthermore, the legal and ethical concerns of a private police force
with the purpose of controlling children has not been appropriately addressed by the administration.
Some might argue that a district police department would make students and families feel safer, but a police force will not truly do that.
Any sense of safety would be a false one, which is proven to be much more dangerous that an awareness of risks and hazards. Moreover, a
heavy police presence would likely make students nervous in the wake of increased allegations of police violence and brutality.
The community should encourage the school board to fail this proposal. Instead the administration should focus their efforts and
resources toward education and passive safety. Updating school infrastructure or implementing new extracurricular opportunities would do
more to enrich the students’ educational experiences.

3A State champion

joy zhou, lake travis HS

To comply with a state law requiring armed security guards on school campuses, Superintendent Alberto Fedrigotti proposed creating
district police department rather than their current marshal program that requires the school to collaborate with three different law
enforcement agencies.
When the school board votes on Thursday, they should accept Fedrigotti’s proposal because creating a district police department would
not cost a lot more than what is already being allocated, it would increase efficiency and allow police to develop a trusting relationship with
students and staff.
Those arguing against the proposal claim that the $1.2 million required to build new infrastructure and pay officers is too costly when the
school’s current system works. However, the cost would be mitigated through the reallocation of current funds for the marshal system, and
no additional tax increase would be required.
Furthermore, the cost of a serious accident or threat to students’ safety is more detrimental than the potential costs. Under the current
system, school marshals can not make arrests or investigate crimes. In contrast, schools with police officers on campus can and have 30%
fewer fights according to a study by the U.S. Department of Education Office. Marshals can not act with the same efficiency as the school
must communicate between departments. By the time a major incident is reported, under the current system, it may be too late.
Some students do not feel comfortable around security or police. This would remain true for both school marshals and real district police.
However, district police could develop closer relationships with the students and staff to mitigate feelings of discomfort. Students would also
be more educated on how to interact with law enforcement and can practice asking for help when needed, a vital skill for after they graduate.
District police will not only improve the safety of students and staff, but allow police to foster an environment built on trust. If corruption is a
concern from the police’s close relationship with the district, checks must be put in place such as with outside inspections or a joint solution
with occasional collaboration with outside agencies while still retaining the benefits of efficiency and increased safety of a district police
department, that can properly address serious incidents.
If the school board cares about student safety over economic costs, they should accept Fedrigott’s proposal while putting proper checks
in place.

6A State champion

What could go wrong?

You didn’t take a stand or it wasn’t clear enough.
Your argument was too general. Be specific to this situation.
You asked too many rhetorical questions without stating an opinion.
You used quotes. Don’t do that.
You whined too much.
You got off-topic.
You lacked credibility or didn’t use evidence.
You used stereotypes or made personal attacks.

on contest day...

Read the entire prompt
Decide on a stance
Using the prompt, write three supportive statements
Highlight the evidence in the prompt
Ask yourself what points you’d make aside from what’s given to you.
Think about a roast, reasoned solution or call-to-action.
Write it

take a stand

Alyssa Boehringer
UIL Journalism Director /ILPC Director
[e-mail]