Op-eds are a great way for academics and professionals to reach a wider audience. Have a strong, informed opinion on a current issue? Then write an op-ed article and let the world know! But how do you write one? We have five top tips:
If you’re keen to starting writing your op-ed article, read our full advice below.
A good op-ed article needs to make a single, clearly defined point, generally using 750 to 800 words. Ideally, it should also be a topical subject, such as:
If you’re not sure what to write about, keep an eye on the news for something suitable. In addition, while provocative or controversial issues can be good topics for an op-ed, don’t stoke controversy purely for the sake of it.
As noted above, op-eds are usually quite short. In addition, you will be writing for people outside your field of study or industry. It is therefore vital to write clearly and concisely. To make sure you express your opinion effectively, then:
The key is to tailor your language to who you are writing for. And keep in mind that, while you will want to use standard English for the most part, op-eds don’t need to be as formal as academic papers or business writing.
The objective of an op-ed article is often to sway the reader’s opinion rather than just to set out information in neutral, objective terms. And this requires being persuasive and authoritative. Structure and tone are key factors here.
In terms of structure, most op-ed articles feature:
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In terms of achieving a persuasive, authoritative tone, top tips include:
You may even be able to add a touch of humor to your writing, which can be a great way of engaging readers. However, this won’t always be appropriate! Make sure the tone of your writing is appropriate to your chosen topic and audience.
Either before you start writing or after you have a first draft, you will need to think about where you want your article to be published. This might be a newspaper, a magazine, or a website, but regardless of format you will need to find out:
In addition, if your company, organization, or school has a media manager or department, get in contact. They may be able to offer support, such as helping you to find the most appropriate publication to reach a wide audience.
Finally, make sure to reread and edit your op-ed before submitting it. As well as checking for typos and other errors, you will want to make sure:
To be completely sure your writing is error free, moreover, you should also get your article proofread professionally. We have expert editors available to help. Learn more today by submitting a free 500-word sample document.
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