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How to Write an Op-Ed

An op-ed is a guest column, written by an outside source, published in the opinion section of the paper. Op-ed actually stands for "opposite editorial," named as such to indicate its traditional placement in the right-hand page of the newspaper opposite the editorial page. In contrast to letters to the editor, op-eds provide an opportunity to express an opinion on an issue, whether or not the newspaper has covered it recently.

Tips for an Effective Op-Ed

Content

• An op-ed is usually from 500-800 words in length.
• Make sure the issue you are addressing is timely, relevant, and in the news but hasn't been overworked.
• Make sure the piece is thoughtful, well-reasoned, and accurate, not simply a series of assertions. Op-eds need to be backed up with facts. Don't let the evidence overwhelm your main argument, however.
• Consider the purpose of the op-ed and your audience. Are you urging a change in policy before an important congressional vote? Calling people to action? Or simply providing an alternate view on an important issue of the day? Whatever your focus, gear your writing style and content toward your audience's level of knowledge.

Structure

• State your main thesis in the first paragraph. Most people don't read op-eds all the way through, so make your most important points right away.
• Focus on one main idea and consistently explain its importance to readers throughout the op-ed. Be sure your reader can follow your argument from point to point.
• There should be a real conclusion, which may be a call to action. Feel free to use the first-person voice.
• Include your name, daytime phone number, and address on the op-ed, and a short by-line at the end (Cindy Jones is a member of the Kansas City Central America Network and recently returned from a two-week delegation to Guatemala. She can be reached at 202-555-5555 / example@aol.com).

Writing Style

• Make sure the writing is strong, straightforward, and tight.
• Maintain an informative, consistent, concerned, reasonable, and responsible tone throughout.
• Rely on verbs rather than adjectives or adverbs.
• Avoid jargon, complex sentences, and language that is too technical.
• Avoid clichés. Try to use fresh, powerful images.

Getting Your Op-ed Published

• Op-eds are not easy to get published, so be sure to check the targeted paper for any specific submission guidelines.
• If writing for a local paper, try to link your op-ed to a local issue already of interest.
• Be sure to submit your op-ed to only one newspaper.
• Send a hard copy as well as an electronic version to the op-ed editor of the paper. Call the morning after the submission to make sure it was received.

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