leader-writer

leader-writer

The leader-writer drafts the editorial for the morning newspaper.

Definition

Noun: A "leader-writer" is a journalist or editor who writes leading articles or editorials for a newspaper or periodical. These articles typically express the official opinion or stance of the publication on current issues.

Usage Examples
  • (A journalist who writes editorials for that newspaper.)
  • (She was employed to write editorial articles for a prominent daily newspaper.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to act as a leader-writer": to temporarily or regularly fulfill the role of writing editorials.
    • After the senior editor retired, he was asked to act as a leader-writer for the weekly column. (He was given the task of writing the newspaper's official opinion pieces.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Leader (n): a leading article or editorial in a newspaper.
    • The newspaper's leader today discusses climate change policy. (The main editorial article.)
  • Write (v): to compose text.
    • He writes the leaders for the financial section. (He composes the editorial articles.)
  • Editorialist (n): a person who writes editorials (synonym, though less common).
    • The editorialist argued for stricter immigration laws. (The writer of editorials.)
Synonyms
  • Editorial writer: a journalist who writes editorials.
    • The editorial writer focused on local politics. (A person who writes opinion pieces for a newspaper.)
  • Columnist: a writer who contributes a regular column of opinion or commentary (similar but broader, as columnists may write under their own name, not necessarily representing the paper's view).
    • The columnist offers personal opinions, while the leader-writer speaks for the newspaper.
Related Idioms
  • "the pen is mightier than the sword": a saying that writing and ideas have more influence than violence; often relevant to a leader-writer's role.
    • The leader-writer believed that the pen is mightier than the sword, using words to shape public opinion. (The writer trusted the power of editorial writing over force.)
  • "to set the agenda": to determine what issues are discussed or prioritized.
    • A skilled leader-writer can set the agenda for national debate. (The writer can influence which topics become important in public discourse.)