Tim Nickens

The formula;


“The first paragraph- Tell the reader exactly what the opinion is and hammer it home.


The final paragraph- Hit them again.”


Pretty much as an editorial writer you want your reader to be crystal clear as to what your opinion on the topic is, that is what I learned from St. Petersburg Times Editorial Editor, Tim Nickens.


Like the other guests that visited our class, Nickens spoke about what makes an editorial and how to approach one. “Generally you are trying to get somebody to do something.”


Nickens, like the other started his career as a reporter. If there is one thing that is clear from listening to professional editorial writers speak with us, it is that good journalism is the backing of any good news writer. If you cannot report a story, how can you represent the board’s opinion?


It was interesting to hear from an editorial writer from the St. Petersburg Times. Professor Thelen actually believes that the Times has a better editorial pages than the tribune does. Nickens told us that the Times is generally regarded as a liberal paper. They always have certain stances on key issues like abortion. He also told us that while he may write an editorial for millions of people to read but he might actually only be directing the argument toward one person.


But the main point again was “stimulate and provoke thought.”


Nickens advice will definitely help me write my next editorial more effectively.

Rosemary Goudreau

Rosemary Goudreau’s visit to our Critical Writing class was eye opening. She joined us to discuss editorial writing and what made her successful throughout her career.

Goudreau, a University of Florida graduate started her career as a reporter. She worked for an array of papers in Florida and was also the managing editor for the Cincinnati Enquirer. It was there that she learned that editorial writers can have a very big and positive impact on a community and editorial writers can promote change.

From Goudreau, I learned that the best editorial writer will find community issues that strike them, and write with a sense of passion. “A great editorial has something to say.” Words can be a very powerful tool as many of us have noticed recently with President Barack Obama wooing the nation. But while a reporters can tell a story for what it is, an editorial writer has to look beyond the facts. They need to find the color and spark that will motivate people of the community to care about the issue and do something about it. "Give them a reason to agree or disagree," said Goudreau. Along with that advice, Professor Thelen says the best editorials will make you think about the subject in a way you have not thought about it. If the reader can say "huh, never thought about that," than the editorial was a success.

The best advice I took away from Goudreau’s visit was, “talk to someone you know, about something you really care about.” That seems like a rule I can, and should follow.

But I also had very strong feeling while listening to our guest. Professor Thelen told the class not to use “I.” Goudreau said “it is not the “I” voice but instead it is the institutional voice," which she did admit could be pretty stuffy and dry. As an editorial writer you represent the editorial board, their views and opinions. Usually those ideas have the community’s interest at heart but even with the community in mind the boards opinion and your personal opinion could be very different and it does not matter you still must write what the board thinks. After listening to Goudreau stress that point, I learned that I do not want to be an editorial writer. When I have a strong opinion about something, the last thing I would want to do is write something I don't completely agree with and can't attribute to someone else especially if the piece can promote an action from the community. Just like the readers, I don’t like being told what to think, so I would definitely not be a good fit to represent the board.

But learning how to write a good editorial goes far beyond journalism. In fact, Rosemary Goudreau says it is important because it teaches you how to "communicate with creativity and precision."

Vicki Chachere- Editorial Writer, Tampa Tribune

Vicki Chachere is an editorial writer for the Tampa Tribune and has been writing editorials there for three years. She graduated with a degree in Journalism from Arizona State University; it was there where she got her start in Journalism when she worked at the State Press. Then some internships took her across the country but after graduating she finally settled down in sunny Tampa Florida as a reporter for the Tampa Tribune. She left for a few years and joined the Associated Press as head of the Tampa bureau, but in 2005 Chachere found herself married with a young child and returned to the Tribune as an editorial writer. She says taking the job was almost a no brainer, “editorial boards seem to be a place where you come and just stay.”

Our critical writing class at USF had the chance to pick Chachere’s brain while we took part in our first editorial meeting, only Chachere actually sat back and listened as every student pitch their own idea. She then used her five years as an editorial writer to better the pitches thrown out to her. Since she has already written about every subject brought up she had good advice for everyone about where to start, who to contact and even what subjects to stay away from. She also gave the class some very practical advice that all media students can use, “good reporting is the basis of good journalism.”

Chachere started her career in Journalism as a reporter and she loved it. In fact, every time she brought up the differences between editorial writing and reporting she seemed to have a sparkle in her eye. It almost seems as if she didn’t want to give it up. “Editorial writing is more stable.” She told us she had a small child and “reporting for the AP was too much running around.” It almost seemed like she missed reporting, and digging up stories. But she also told us that “the big difference between pure reporting and editorial reporting is opinion and keeping yourself out of the story.” I can definitely relate to that. Learning about Journalism these past few years, I have always been told, tell the story, not your story, I was always told that the audience does not care about your opinion unless you are the expert: in fact, I have heard the word attribution so much that I hear in every time I report a story. Switching to editorials and infusing myself and my own view will be challenging but I will definitely use Chachere’s advice, “find issues to write about that create a visceral reaction.” That, I can do.

Examples of Chachere's Editorials

Finding Our Way

Teaching Society that Boys Really are Different

Taking Charge of University System