Usually between and words. Many blogs are just a few hundred words, basically a few graphs and a pull quote often does the job. Simplicity, logic, and clarity are your best friends when it comes to writing op-eds and blogs. In other words, write like a middle schooler. Use short sentence and clear words. Paragraphs should be less than four sentences. Please take a look at Strunk and White for more information. I used to work with John Podesta, who has written many great op-eds, and he was rumored to have given his staff a copy of Strunk and White on their first day of employment.
Love yourself topic sentences. So keep in mind the following: Evidence. This might be obvious, but you need evidence to support your argument. This means data in the forms of published studies, government statistics, anything that offers cold facts.
Stories are good and can support your argument. But try and go beyond a good anecdote. Is their tone critical? Your tone largely hinges on what type of outlet you are writing for, which brings us to… Audience.
Almost everything in your article — from what type of language you use to your tone — depends on your audience. The best way to familiarize yourself with your audience is to read pieces that have already been published in the outlet you are writing for, or hoping to write for.
Take note of how the author presents her argument and then adjust yours accordingly. The opening of an opinion piece should bring the reader into the article quickly. This is also sometimes referred to as the flash or the lede, and there are two types of flash introductions. They are: Option 1. So start to introduce some general evidence to support your argument in the nut portion of the lede.
For an example of a nut graph for a longer piece on say, sibling-on-sibling rivalry, consider the following: The Smith sisters exemplify a disturbing trend. A good billboard graph often ends with a quote or call to action.
If you use a narrative flash lede, then the nut paragraph often starts with something like: They are not alone. In fact, , students are subject to corporal punishment in U. Think of this as the paragraph that begins to untangle a long history or a growing trend. Demonstrate: In this section, you must offer specific details to support your argument. If writing an op-ed, this section can be three or four paragraphs long.
If writing a column, this section can be six or ten paragraphs long. Either way, the section should outline the most compelling evidence to support your thesis.
For my paddling article, for instance, I offered this argument paragraph. Equivocate : You should strengthen your argument by including at least one graph that briefly describes—and then discounts—the strongest counter argument to your point. Forward : This is where you wrap up your piece. It carries greater impact, though, if you can write an ending that has some oomph to it and really looks forward. So try to provide some parting thoughts and, when appropriate to the topic, draw your readers to look toward the future.
It allows you to simultaneously finalize the premise of your argument and neatly conclude your article. This fortifies the argument. The following few paragraphs continue in this vein. Part IV: Pitching. A few bits of advice: Newsy. Whenever possible, build off the news. People naturally are interested in reading op-eds that are linked to recent news pieces — so, an op-ed on Electoral College reform will be more relevant around election season, for instance.
I have lots to say. Can I write a 3, word op-ed? I want to tell a story. Can I do that? What should do before I hit submit? We could suggest two things: Make sure you cite all your sources.
Avoid plagiarism of any kind. Supporting paragraphs: Now that you've stated your point and grabbed readers' attention, build on your lead with facts, statistics and anecdotes. Wrap it up: In the concluding paragraph, take your argument a step further and leave readers with information about what needs to be done next. If you're trying to move people to action, be sure to answer the question, "What can I do? If you started with an example, bring the story full circle by referencing your original point.
The News Office can do that for you. Or, simply turn to the op-ed page in the publication of your choice and submit your piece using the e-mail address listed there. Be certain to include your name, the title or affiliation that substantiates your expertise on the issue and a daytime telephone number.
Audacity, Agency, Authenticity. Explore Academics. Especially For Student Life. Most op-ed editors will respond to you within a week. If you haven't heard back from them by then or if your piece is particularly time-sensitive, you can follow up with an e-mail message or phone call to ask if it was received and ask about its status. The piece should be in favor of or critical of a particular position taken by the paper or described in an article.
The letter should focus on a specific issue that was raised in an article or opinion piece. Be sure to mention the title and date of the article you're responding to in one of your first two sentences. For example "Dear editor, Your recent coverage of the issue of the uninsured "Health care in America," May 11, was a thoughtful piece Generally, to words in three to four paragraphs are ideal.
If you can't contain the letter to that length, consider asking someone to help you edit it or write a word op-ed instead. If you have sent your letter to the editor and haven't heard anything within a week, feel free to send a note or make a follow-up call to check on its status.
Be aware that editors receive hundreds of letters and may not respond to you immediately, if at all. Comments Roland King says:. October 16, at am. Matthew Patrick Boente Sr. October 31, at pm. Cody Romano says:. December 2, at pm.
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