OPINION
WRITING
DEFINITIONS
• EDITORIAL
• COLUMN
• OP-ED
• LETTER TO EDITOR
OP-ED
• THE TERM COMES FROM THE TERM “OPPOSITE THE EDITORIAL PAGE”
DISTILLING PROCESS
•Boil down your ideas into the following:
•A narrowly focused issue or findings
•Do the findings suggest a change in policy or
solution
•An-easy-to-describe solution
•A call to action to support that solution
ELEMENTS OF OP-EDS
• Keep it tight
• Keep it relevant
• Take a stand (where possible)
• Attack issues, not personalities
• Don’t be a bully
• Control your anger
• Start with a strong lead and solid finish
• Source: Inside Reporting, Tim Harrower, pages 134-135
OP-ED DOS AND DON’TS
• Do not follow a five-sentence paragraph format. Most
journalism uses shorter paragraphing.
• Do not use “I” or “you” in the editorial
• Do use “third person”
• Do get to the point first, then, if appropriated, propose a
solution and write a call for action.
• Do support the call for action with at least three arguments.
One of the arguments should take on an opposing point of
view.
• End up with a conclusion that summarizes the arguments and
reemphasizes the call for action.
SAMPLE GUIDELINES FOR OP-EDS
https://www.wsj.com/articles/oped-guidelines-for-the-wall-
street-journal-1384383173
WASHINGTON POST
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/submit-an-op-ed/?utm_term=.0ae862a6e7f7
TRANSITING FROM ACADEMIC
SOURCES
JOURNALIST’S RESOURCE, HARVARD
RELIGION-FOCUSED OUTLETS
• Washington Post Acts of Faith –
Soliciting commentary
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/news
/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/01/19/want-to-
write-for-acts-of-faith-here-are-some-
guidelines/?utm_term=.a6a5f6a129b1
• First Things
• Firstthings.com
• Religion News Service
• Deseret News National Edition

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