A good opinion piece (often referred to as an op-ed or commentary) reaches a broad audience with an important message. It is more than sharing academic discoveries with general readers – it’s about engaging them, educating, influencing opinions and even driving change.
Unlike academic papers, opinion pieces need to be compelling and accessible. They should be written in plain language, avoid jargon and make clear arguments. If possible, link your article to a current event. This will catch the attention of editors and pique the interest of readers.
Build the story around a factual or first-hand experience that clearly supports your argument. Identify what the issue is and state your point of view in the first short paragraph. Then support your position in the following paragraphs – this may be through detailed research, a personal narrative or through a case study based on lived experience. In the last paragraph, restate your point of view and offer a call to action.
Aim for a headline that is eye-catching, provocative or thought provoking. Often op-eds are linked to events so try to make yours newsy. For example, an op-ed on electoral reform is more likely to be read just after the election, a piece on racism might be more relevant around a holiday and so on.