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		How to find editorials in newspapers
Ask-a-Librarian Ready Reference Government Documents Directory Reference Home		[introduction] [databases] [print] [glossary] Introduction Historical perspective on editorials: Modern newspaper editorials exist inside a tradition of American newspaper editors acting as shapers of public opinion and voices of public conscience on moral issues confronting American society. When to use editorials: Use newspapers editorials when looking for a plurality of viewpoints on late-breaking topics that are controversial in nature, and when seeking articles that take a strong "pro" or "con" stand. (Editorials may, however, appear about any newsworthy event.) Since newspapers are usually published daily, they offer coverage of topics before these same topics can be covered in magazines. While they cannot replace scholarly journal articles, editorials in newspapers do comprise some of the best sources that will speak directly in favor of, or against, a particular social issue. Related sources: Like editorials, letters to the editor and op-ed pieces offer opinions about controversial topics from every perspective. While true editorials are necessarily a representation of the editorial stand of newspapers, letters to the editor and op-ed pieces do not necessarily represent the editorial stand of the newspapers in which they appear. OSU-Licensed Databases The Ohio State University faculty, staff, and students may access these proprietary newspaper resources. Non-affiliated persons should check with local libraries for availability of these resources. Academic Universe (LEXIS-NEXIS) Academic Universe provides online access to full-text articles from major American newspapers, some of which go back as far as twenty-five years. Choose General News Topics links. Search tips for editorials in Academic Universe -Instructions for searching in General News Topics: Sample keyword searching in Academic Universe: Type into keyword box: language and editorial. Sample byline searching in Academic Universe: Change option to byline, and type name into byline box: william safire -More sample searching in Academic Universe: (gays and military) and (opinion or editorial or op-ed or letters to the editor or view related topics) Newspaper Abstracts Newspaper Abstracts provides abstracts to newspapers articles from 1989 to the present. Date ranges must be chosen upon entering the database. Searches can be performed by keyword, author, article title, newspaper title, and subject. Search tips for editorials in Newspaper Abstracts: Caution must be used with author searching, because many editorial pieces are not signed. Box with "subject" offers the largest number of search options, including subject, article title, newspaper title, even a second author option. Sample tips for Newspaper Abstracts, 1989-present: op ed and president clinton (editorial not cartoon) and president clinton letter and editor and president clinton Primary Print Source Editorials on File (Binder in Reference) MAIN Ref-Main Reference D410E3. LIB. HAS: v.1(1970)- ; includes indexes. Editorials on File reprints editorials from representative newspapers. Examples of recent coverage include: school vouchers, judicial ruling concerning census sampling correction techniques, tobacco industry settlement, Swiss banks' restitution to holocaust victims, year 2000 computer problem, campaign finance reform. Glossary Byline "Identification of an author, generally below the title or headline in a magazine or newspaper..." (Webster's New World Dictionary of Media and Communications, 1990) Editorial "An opinion piece written by the editorial page editor or members of the editorial board, generally appearing on the editorial page in a newspaper or magazine." (WNWDM&C, 1990) Headline "The title or description... atop a news release or article" (WNWDM&C, 1990) Letter to the editor Any letter, usually expressing an opinion, written to the editor of a newspaper or magazine. (LGH) Op ed or op-ed "The page adjacent to -- opposite -- the editorial page, used for columns and opinion articles, including those by outsiders..." (WNWDM&C, 1990) Section "A distinct portion of a periodical... [or newspaper]" WNWDM&C (1990) Segment Designation of part of online database that can used as a search-marking device in Academic Universe to indicate the part of the database in which the desired words should appear. Most of the terms in this glossary can be used to name the segments in LEXIS/NEXIS. (LGH)
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