{"id":95,"date":"2014-11-04T13:34:06","date_gmt":"2014-11-04T13:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/cfacontrolthemessage\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=95"},"modified":"2014-11-04T13:34:06","modified_gmt":"2014-11-04T13:34:06","slug":"how-to-write-an-op-ed-or-column","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/chapter\/how-to-write-an-op-ed-or-column\/","title":{"raw":"How to Write an Op-Ed or Column","rendered":"How to Write an Op-Ed or Column"},"content":{"raw":"<div id=\"stcpDiv\">\r\n<h1><\/h1>\r\n<div id=\"entry\">\r\n<div id=\"content_tab_container\">\r\n<div id=\"tab_research_findings\" class=\"content_tab current-tab\">\r\n<div class=\"single-thumb\"><img class=\"attachment-single-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" title=\"Writing story (iStock)\" src=\"http:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Type_iStock-202x190.jpg\" alt=\"Writing story (iStock)\" width=\"202\" height=\"190\" \/>\r\n<div class=\"caption\">Writing story (iStock)<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<em>The following is reprinted courtesy of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hks.harvard.edu\/about\/faculty-staff-directory\/jeffrey-seglin\">Jeffrey Seglin<\/a>, lecturer in public policy and director of the <a href=\"http:\/\/shorensteincenter.org\/students\/communications-program\/\">Harvard Kennedy School Communications Program<\/a>:<\/em>\r\n\r\n<strong>_______<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAn op-ed piece derives its name from originally having appeared opposite the editorial page in a newspaper. Today, the term is used more widely to represent a column that represents the strong, informed and focused opinion of the writer on an issue of relevance to a targeted audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>Distinguishing characteristics of an op-ed or column<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPartly, a column is defined by where it appears, but it shares some common characteristics:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Typically, it is short, between 750 and 800 words.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It has a clearly defined point.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It has a clearly defined point of view.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It represents clarity of thinking.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It contains the strong, distinctive voice of the writer.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Questions to ask yourself when writing an op-ed or column<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Do I have a clear point to make? If so, what is it?<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Who cares? (Writing with a particular audience in mind can inform how you execute your column. Who is it that you are trying to convince? Why are you targeting that specific reader?)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Is there substance to my argument?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Topic and theme<\/strong>\r\n\r\nEvery successful op-ed piece or column must have a clearly defined topic and theme.\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>The topic is the person, place, issue, incident or thing that is the primary focus of the column. The topic is usually stated in the first paragraph.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The theme is the big, overarching idea of the column. What\u2019s your point in writing about the chosen topic and why is it important? The theme may appear early in the piece or it may appear later when it may also serve as a turning point into a deeper level of argument.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Research<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWhile columns and op-ed pieces allow writers to include their own voice and express an opinion, to be successful the columns must be grounded in solid research. Research involves acquiring facts, quotations, citations or data from sources and personal observation. Research also allows a reader to include sensory data (touch, taste, smell, sound or sight) into a column. There are two basic methods of research:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Field research: going to the scene, interviews, legwork; primary materials, observations, and knowledge.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Library, academic, or internet research: using secondary materials, including graphs, charts, and scholarly articles.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Openings and endings\r\n<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe first line of an op-ed is crucial. The opening \u201chook\u201d may grab the reader\u2019s attention with a strong claim, a surprising fact, a metaphor, a mystery, or a counter-intuitive observation that entices the reader into reading more. The opening also briefly lays the foundation for your argument.\r\n\r\nSimilarly, every good column or op-ed piece needs a strong ending that fulfills some basic requirements. It:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Echoes or answers introduction.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Has been foreshadowed by preceding thematic statements.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Is the last and often most memorable detail.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Contains a final epiphany or calls the reader to action.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThere are two basic types of endings. An \u201copen ending\u201d suggests rather than states a conclusion, while a \u201cclosed ending\u201d states rather than suggests a conclusion. The closed ending in which the point of the piece is resolved is by far the most commonly used.\r\n\r\n<strong><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Protest2.jpg\" alt=\"Protest2\" width=\"205\" height=\"190\" \/>Voice<\/strong>\r\n\r\nHaving a strong voice is critical to a successful column or op-ed piece. Columns are most typically conversational in tone, so you can imagine yourself have a conversation with your reader as you write (a short, focused conversation). But the range of voice used in columns can be wide: contemplative, conversational, descriptive, experienced, informative, informed, introspective, observant, plaintive, reportorial, self-effacing, sophisticated or humorous, among many other possibilities.\r\n\r\nSometimes what voice you use is driven by the publication for which you are writing. A good method of developing your voice is to get in the practice of reading your column or op-ed out loud. Doing so gives you a clear sense of how your piece might sound \u2013 what your voice may come off as \u2013 to your intended reader.\r\n\r\n<strong>Revision checklist<\/strong>\r\n\r\nBelow are some things to remember as you revise your op-ed or column before you submit it for publication. You should always check:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Clarity.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Coherence and unity.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Simplicity.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Voice and tone. Most are conversational; some require an authoritative voice.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Direct quotations and paraphrasing for accuracy.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>That you properly credit all sources (though formal citations are not necessary).<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The consistency of your opinion throughout your op-ed or column.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Further resources<\/strong>\r\n\r\nBelow are links to some online resources related to op-ed and column writing:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theopedproject.org\">The Op-Ed Project<\/a> is a terrific resource for anyone looking to strengthen their op-ed writing. It provides tips on op-ed writing, suggestions about basic op-ed structure, guidelines on how to pitch op-ed pieces to publications, and information about top outlets that publish op-eds. Started as an effort to increase the number of women op-ed writers, The Op-Ed Project also regularly runs daylong seminars around the country.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/newsoffice.duke.edu\/duke_resources\/oped\">\u201cHow to Write an Op-Ed Article,\u201d<\/a> which was prepared by David Jarmul, Duke\u2019s associate vice president for news and communications, provides great guidelines on how to write a successful op-ed.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.earth.columbia.edu\/sitefiles\/file\/pressroom\/media_outreach\/OpEdGuide.doc\">\u201cHow to Write Op-Ed Columns,\u201d<\/a> which was prepared by The Earth Institute at Columbia University, is another useful guide to writing op-eds. It contains a useful list of op-ed guidelines for top-circulation newspapers in the U.S.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2004\/02\/01\/opinion\/01SHIP.html\">\u201cAnd Now a Word from Op-Ed,\u201d<\/a> offers some advice on how to think about and write op-eds from the Op-Ed editor of <em>The New York Times<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n______\r\n\r\nAuthor <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hks.harvard.edu\/about\/faculty-staff-directory\/jeffrey-seglin\">Jeffrey Seglin<\/a> is a lecturer in public policy and director of the <a href=\"http:\/\/shorensteincenter.org\/students\/communications-program\/\">Harvard Kennedy School Communications Program<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n- See more at: http:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/skills\/writing\/how-to-write-an-op-ed-or-column#sthash.BWsfeb15.dpuf<\/div>","rendered":"<div id=\"stcpDiv\">\n<h1><\/h1>\n<div id=\"entry\">\n<div id=\"content_tab_container\">\n<div id=\"tab_research_findings\" class=\"content_tab current-tab\">\n<div class=\"single-thumb\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-single-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" title=\"Writing story (iStock)\" src=\"http:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Type_iStock-202x190.jpg\" alt=\"Writing story (iStock)\" width=\"202\" height=\"190\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\">Writing story (iStock)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>The following is reprinted courtesy of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hks.harvard.edu\/about\/faculty-staff-directory\/jeffrey-seglin\">Jeffrey Seglin<\/a>, lecturer in public policy and director of the <a href=\"http:\/\/shorensteincenter.org\/students\/communications-program\/\">Harvard Kennedy School Communications Program<\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>_______<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An op-ed piece derives its name from originally having appeared opposite the editorial page in a newspaper. Today, the term is used more widely to represent a column that represents the strong, informed and focused opinion of the writer on an issue of relevance to a targeted audience.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Distinguishing characteristics of an op-ed or column<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Partly, a column is defined by where it appears, but it shares some common characteristics:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Typically, it is short, between 750 and 800 words.<\/li>\n<li>It has a clearly defined point.<\/li>\n<li>It has a clearly defined point of view.<\/li>\n<li>It represents clarity of thinking.<\/li>\n<li>It contains the strong, distinctive voice of the writer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Questions to ask yourself when writing an op-ed or column<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Do I have a clear point to make? If so, what is it?<\/li>\n<li>Who cares? (Writing with a particular audience in mind can inform how you execute your column. Who is it that you are trying to convince? Why are you targeting that specific reader?)<\/li>\n<li>Is there substance to my argument?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Topic and theme<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Every successful op-ed piece or column must have a clearly defined topic and theme.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The topic is the person, place, issue, incident or thing that is the primary focus of the column. The topic is usually stated in the first paragraph.<\/li>\n<li>The theme is the big, overarching idea of the column. What\u2019s your point in writing about the chosen topic and why is it important? The theme may appear early in the piece or it may appear later when it may also serve as a turning point into a deeper level of argument.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Research<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While columns and op-ed pieces allow writers to include their own voice and express an opinion, to be successful the columns must be grounded in solid research. Research involves acquiring facts, quotations, citations or data from sources and personal observation. Research also allows a reader to include sensory data (touch, taste, smell, sound or sight) into a column. There are two basic methods of research:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Field research: going to the scene, interviews, legwork; primary materials, observations, and knowledge.<\/li>\n<li>Library, academic, or internet research: using secondary materials, including graphs, charts, and scholarly articles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Openings and endings<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The first line of an op-ed is crucial. The opening \u201chook\u201d may grab the reader\u2019s attention with a strong claim, a surprising fact, a metaphor, a mystery, or a counter-intuitive observation that entices the reader into reading more. The opening also briefly lays the foundation for your argument.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, every good column or op-ed piece needs a strong ending that fulfills some basic requirements. It:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Echoes or answers introduction.<\/li>\n<li>Has been foreshadowed by preceding thematic statements.<\/li>\n<li>Is the last and often most memorable detail.<\/li>\n<li>Contains a final epiphany or calls the reader to action.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are two basic types of endings. An \u201copen ending\u201d suggests rather than states a conclusion, while a \u201cclosed ending\u201d states rather than suggests a conclusion. The closed ending in which the point of the piece is resolved is by far the most commonly used.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Protest2.jpg\" alt=\"Protest2\" width=\"205\" height=\"190\" \/>Voice<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Having a strong voice is critical to a successful column or op-ed piece. Columns are most typically conversational in tone, so you can imagine yourself have a conversation with your reader as you write (a short, focused conversation). But the range of voice used in columns can be wide: contemplative, conversational, descriptive, experienced, informative, informed, introspective, observant, plaintive, reportorial, self-effacing, sophisticated or humorous, among many other possibilities.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes what voice you use is driven by the publication for which you are writing. A good method of developing your voice is to get in the practice of reading your column or op-ed out loud. Doing so gives you a clear sense of how your piece might sound \u2013 what your voice may come off as \u2013 to your intended reader.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Revision checklist<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Below are some things to remember as you revise your op-ed or column before you submit it for publication. You should always check:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Clarity.<\/li>\n<li>Coherence and unity.<\/li>\n<li>Simplicity.<\/li>\n<li>Voice and tone. Most are conversational; some require an authoritative voice.<\/li>\n<li>Direct quotations and paraphrasing for accuracy.<\/li>\n<li>That you properly credit all sources (though formal citations are not necessary).<\/li>\n<li>The consistency of your opinion throughout your op-ed or column.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Further resources<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Below are links to some online resources related to op-ed and column writing:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theopedproject.org\">The Op-Ed Project<\/a> is a terrific resource for anyone looking to strengthen their op-ed writing. It provides tips on op-ed writing, suggestions about basic op-ed structure, guidelines on how to pitch op-ed pieces to publications, and information about top outlets that publish op-eds. Started as an effort to increase the number of women op-ed writers, The Op-Ed Project also regularly runs daylong seminars around the country.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/newsoffice.duke.edu\/duke_resources\/oped\">\u201cHow to Write an Op-Ed Article,\u201d<\/a> which was prepared by David Jarmul, Duke\u2019s associate vice president for news and communications, provides great guidelines on how to write a successful op-ed.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.earth.columbia.edu\/sitefiles\/file\/pressroom\/media_outreach\/OpEdGuide.doc\">\u201cHow to Write Op-Ed Columns,\u201d<\/a> which was prepared by The Earth Institute at Columbia University, is another useful guide to writing op-eds. It contains a useful list of op-ed guidelines for top-circulation newspapers in the U.S.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2004\/02\/01\/opinion\/01SHIP.html\">\u201cAnd Now a Word from Op-Ed,\u201d<\/a> offers some advice on how to think about and write op-eds from the Op-Ed editor of <em>The New York Times<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>______<\/p>\n<p>Author <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hks.harvard.edu\/about\/faculty-staff-directory\/jeffrey-seglin\">Jeffrey Seglin<\/a> is a lecturer in public policy and director of the <a href=\"http:\/\/shorensteincenter.org\/students\/communications-program\/\">Harvard Kennedy School Communications Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8211; See more at: http:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/skills\/writing\/how-to-write-an-op-ed-or-column#sthash.BWsfeb15.dpuf<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-95\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>How to Write an Op-Ed or Column. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Jeffrey Seglin. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>:  Journalist&#039;s Resource | January 28, 2013. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/skills\/writing\/how-to-write-an-op-ed-or-column#\">http:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/skills\/writing\/how-to-write-an-op-ed-or-column#<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":9,"menu_order":6,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"How to Write an Op-Ed or Column\",\"author\":\"Jeffrey Seglin\",\"organization\":\" Journalist\\'s Resource | January 28, 2013\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/skills\/writing\/how-to-write-an-op-ed-or-column#\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-95","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":22,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/95","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/95\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/95\/revisions\/97"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/22"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/95\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=95"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=95"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=95"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}