Academic Help: What is an editorial and what is "op-ed"?

[jread]

Ok, I'm writing an article summary for a course that has to pertain to the research paper topic I'm using for the final. My topic is about "Sexual Censorship and how it affects American society". I have two articles, but one I'm not sure if I can use.

Here are the requirements for the text:

"Choose an article, essay, or book chapter that articulates an opinion on your likely position paper topic. You need to select a fully developed text; editorials and op-ed pieces do NOT satisfy the assignment. The best texts are those that elaborate on the issue at enough length and with enough specificity to allow adequate material for you to summarize."

So, my first choice for the "article" is one that relates DIRECTLY to my research topic: http://www.sexed.org/arch/arch10.html

Is this considered an editorial? I would classify it as an article or an essay, but I'm not sure if that's correct.

The other is definitely more academic but is only distantly related to my research topic: http://www.yale.edu/ypq/articles/may98/may98a.html

Given the assignment, which of these would you go with?

Thanks!

 

[bluewall21]

The first is borderline, and arguments could be made either way, so the second article seems like a more secure option.

 

[DaWhim]

editorial is the opinion of a newspaper. op-ed = opinion editorial, a newspaper publishes opinion from some people when they decision the opinion is worth it.

NYTimes for example, a journalist is not allow to express his/her opinion except he/she can quote from people. that is for WSJ as well.

 

[jread]

Thank you both for your input. I agree that the first is borderline which really sucks I guess the safe thing would be to go with the second one, though it's extremely boring