Thinking of Writing an Op-Ed?
Rosanne Desmone, Public Relations Specialist for the ASA
Y
ou may have written an
op-ed and had the satisfac-
tion of seeing it published.
But, perhaps you’ve also received
rejections or, worse yet, just never
heard from the newspaper. If this
sounds familiar, read on about
how to write an op-ed that gets
the attention of an editor and,
ultimately, gets published.
Why Write an Op-Ed?
If you have a strong opinion
about a topic currently in the
news, writing an op-ed is a great
way to make that opinion known.
Not only do policymakers gener-
ally read op-eds, they also are read
by opinion leaders and give you
a forum to reach those officials
and your colleagues. A published
op-ed can help establish you as an
expert and, if you so identify your-
self, provide additional visibility
and credibility for your organiza-
not try to present both sides of an Another option is to write about
tion. An op-ed also allows you to
issue (that’s what news stories are a topic that is relevant and timely,
position an issue from your point
for). You should write about an but has been long neglected by
of view and frame or re-frame the
area in which you have demon- the media.
debate over a timely issue. It gives
strated expertise, meaning don’t
you the opportunity to convert
expect an editor to print an opin-
Who’s Your Audience?
readers to your position.
ion piece on third-world coun- To write an effective op-ed, you
tries if your expertise is in math
What Will You Write?
need to decide for whom you are
and you’ve never been out of writing and trying to influence—
Most newspapers accept op-eds
the country. which news outlet and whether
about topics currently in the
To make the issue you’ve your target audience is made
news and of interest to their read-
selected more relevant to read- up of policymakers, the general
ers, but they don’t want responses
ers, identify a problem within the public, academics, etc. Read the
to an article in the paper (that’s
context of that issue that clearly paper or papers you are targeting
what letters to the editor are
affects them, or at least some of and become familiar with their
for). The piece needs to be your
them, and propose a solution to styles and the types of op-eds
opinion about an issue, and most
that problem. You also can write they usually publish, which will
papers prefer a provocative angle/
an op-ed piece prior to an event, a give you clues about the format
position that is contrary to cur-
legal ruling, or a political decision for your own.
rent public opinion. You should
that will definitely be in the news.
AUGUST 2009 AmstAt News 21
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