Editorials are therefore for the most part argumentative. In them the writer either comments directly on some news item and thus produces what may be called a constructive editorial, or takes issue with the editorial opinion of a rival in a controversial editorial, his object being to destroy the sentiment produced by his rival's article. The power of the editorial writer for good or for evil is clear. That it is usually exerted for good is one of the best evidences that the newspapers of the country are controlled by men who desire to serve the public well. II. Assignments 1. Write an editorial calling attention to some feature of current news. 2. Write an editorial advocating some plan or reform for the good of city, state, nation, or mankind. III. Model I We made the point some months ago that our electric light companies have been far behind those of Europe in making it possible for poor people to get their service. It is interesting to note that the Indiana and Michigan Electric Company, which operates in South Bend, Ind. (plows, wagons, sewing-machines), has started a campaign to do just this thing. About a third of the inhabitants of South Bend are laborers from Poland, Austria, and the Balkan countries, whose wages average about $1.50 or $1.75 per day. The electric company has figured out plans whereby houses can be wired at a cost of from $9 to $15 each, and lighting service can be given for a minimum of $1 per month. A Polish sales agent has been hired to talk to the newcomers, write advertisements for their papers, and attend to their complaints--in short, to translate electricity into Slovak, etc. The men engaged in the work are confident of success and are going after it. The effect in giving these people better ways and standards of living, in getting them a share in our modern American civilization, and a feeling that they are so sharing will necessarily be very great. This is solid public service, and it is far better than any charity. What is being done on this problem in your town?--_Collier's Weekly_, November 28, 1914.[10] [10] Reprinted by permission of _Collier's Weekly_. IV. Comments and Exercises 1. This is a constructive editorial with just a hint of argument. Find the argument. 2. Note the framework of the paragraph: (Sentence 1) Topic; (Sentence 2--Sentence 6) Story; (Sentence 7) Conclusion. 3. Find the "Four W's." 4. Remember that the perfect tense denotes an act begun in the past and completed in the present. Does its use sufficiently tell when a thing is or was done? 5. Write a similar editorial commenting on some improvement in your own town. V. Model II