The best essays are featured in compilations of writings on a specific topic that are printed by university presses for academic writing. The best editorials are featured in everything from local to national newspapers, television news programs, and in online news sources and websites.
An essay is a piece of writing that examines a particular topic in a few very structured different ways. Narrative essays tell a story, while expository essays present only facts. A persuasive essay argues for a particular viewpoint, while a descriptive essay paints a picture in its readers' imaginations. The type of essay you choose to write should always be based on which type is most useful in informing your readers on the topic you've chosen to write.
Essays can be written on any subject from 18th century British literature to the Hubble Telescope's latest discovery. No matter which time period or topic an essay explores, there are always news ways of looking at the subject and new ideas to form about it.
An editorial is an opinion-based piece of writing that focuses on a topical issue. A good editorial can sway an election, inspire activism around a social issue, or start public debates.
Just like essays, there are several different kinds of editorials. A leading editorial is a call to action that can inspire change, while an entertaining editorial can make a reader laugh using humor and satire. Praising editorial expresses gratitude and admiration for a good person or a good deed., while a criticism editorial points out flaws.
Great editorials, like essays, start with a thesis statement. In structuring an editorial, it's important to provide an unbiased, factual presentation of the subject under discussion in an objective way before expressing an opinion. While opinions are the opposite of facts and are therefore neither right or wrong, opinions expressed in an editorial need good backing arguments and facts to support them.
If the purpose of your writing is to impart knowledge in an orderly way, you're writing an essay. If your purpose is to capture your thoughts on an issue you find important and persuade others to share that opinion, or to praise work done in your community, or even to amuse readers with your take on a topical issue, you're writing an editorial.