What is the Difference Between Editorial and Opinion?

The main difference between editorial and opinion lies in their authorship and representation. Here are the key differences:

• Editorial: An editorial is an opinion article that states the position of a publication's editorial board, which usually consists of top editors and opinion writers. Editorials represent the view of the media outlet's publisher or board, rather than an individual writer. They are typically unsigned and written by the publisher or an editorial board member for the media outlet.
• Opinion: An op-ed, short for "opposite the editorial page," is an opinionated article submitted to a newspaper for publication. Op-eds are written by journalists on a beat, PR professionals presenting the position of a particular company or advocacy group, or outside experts invited to present their opinion on an issue. They represent the strong, informed, and focused opinion of a writer on an issue of relevance to a targeted audience. Op-eds are usually signed, unlike editorials, and have a byline.

In summary, editorials express the collective opinion of a publication's editorial board and are unsigned, while op-eds present the individual opinion of a writer and are signed with a byline.

Comparative Table: Editorial vs Opinion

Here is a table outlining the differences between editorial and opinion pieces:

In summary, editorials represent the official view of the publication and are written by the editorial board, while opinions are written by individual columnists and represent their personal perspectives on a topic.