Reading Editorials and Grasping the Argument

An editorial (사설) carries a newspaper's official position, while a column carries the writer's personal view. Unlike factual reporting, the key is to grasp the structure of claim, evidence, and conclusion.

Signal Words for Argument Flow

Signal	Function
그러나 / 하지만	however; introduces a turn or counterpoint
따라서 / 그러므로	therefore; draws a conclusion
무엇보다 / 특히	above all; marks emphasis
~해야 한다 / ~할 필요가 있다	asserts what should be done

정부의 이번 결정은 단기적 성과에 치중한 나머지 장기적 부작용을 간과했다는 비판을 피하기 어렵다.

jeongbuui ibeon gyeoljeongeun dangijeok seonggwae chijunghan nameoji jangijeok bujagyongeul gangwahaetdaneun bipaneul pihagi eoryeopda.

The government's decision can hardly avoid the criticism that, fixated on short-term results, it overlooked long-term side effects.

무엇보다 중요한 것은 일관된 원칙이다. 따라서 당국은 정책의 신뢰성을 회복하는 데 우선순위를 두어야 한다.

mueotboda jungyohan geoseun ilgwandoen wonchigida. ttaraseo danggugeun jeongchaegui silloeseongeul hoebokhaneun de useonsunwireul dueoya handa.

Above all, what matters is consistent principle. Therefore, authorities must prioritize restoring the policy's credibility.

물론 반론도 적지 않다. 그러나 그 어떤 명분도 절차의 정당성을 대신할 수는 없다.

mullon ballondo jeokji anta. geureona geu eotteon myeongbundo jeolchaui jeongdangseongeul daesinhal suneun eopda.

Of course, there are not a few counterarguments. However, no justification can substitute for procedural legitimacy.

Strategy for Grasping the Argument

1) Confirm in the first paragraph what issue the piece addresses; 2) find where the argument pivots by tracking signal words like '그러나' (however) and '따라서' (therefore); 3) pin down the writer's conclusion in the final paragraph's '~해야 한다' (must) statement.

Idioms Common in Editorials

Expression	Meaning
좌시할 수 없다	cannot stand idly by
책임을 면하기 어렵다	can hardly escape responsibility
우려를 자아내다	to arouse concern
근본적인 대책이 시급하다	a fundamental remedy is urgently needed

당국의 안일한 대응이 화를 키웠다는 지적을 결코 가볍게 넘겨서는 안 된다.

danggugui anilhan daeeungi hwareul kiwotdaneun jijeogeul gyeolko gabyeopge neomgyeoseoneun an doenda.

The criticism that the authorities' complacent response worsened the harm must by no means be taken lightly.

💡 Tip: Editorials usually follow a three-part structure: raising the problem, analysis, then the claim. The conclusion is almost always compressed into the final sentence or two as a '~해야 한다' (must) statement, so look there first.

Take the quiz