The
Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing is one of the fourteen American
Pulitzer Prizes that are annually awarded for Journalism. It has been awarded since 1917 for distinguished
editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction. Thus it is one of the original Pulitzers, for the program was inaugurated in 1917 with seven prizes, four of which were awarded that year. The program has also recognized opinion journalism with its
Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning from 1922.