{"id":98,"date":"2014-11-04T13:39:37","date_gmt":"2014-11-04T13:39:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/cfacontrolthemessage\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=98"},"modified":"2014-11-04T13:47:16","modified_gmt":"2014-11-04T13:47:16","slug":"basic-op-ed-structure-tips-for-writing-an-op-ed","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/chapter\/basic-op-ed-structure-tips-for-writing-an-op-ed\/","title":{"raw":"Basic Op-Ed Structure &amp; Tips for Writing an Op-Ed","rendered":"Basic Op-Ed Structure &amp; Tips for Writing an Op-Ed"},"content":{"raw":"<h2><strong>Structure<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">(THIS IS NOT A RULE! \u2013 JUST ONE WAY OF APPROACHING IT.) <\/span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>Lede<\/strong> (Around a news hook)<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>Thesis<\/strong> (Statement of argument \u2013 either explicit or implied)<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>Argument<\/strong>: Based on evidence (such as stats, news, reports from credible organizations, expert quotes, scholarship, history, first-hand experience)\r\n<\/span><\/blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">1st Point\r\n<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">evidence <\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> evidence<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> conclusion<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">2nd Point\r\n<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">evidence <\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> evidence<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> conclusion<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">3rd Point\r\n<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">evidence <\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> evidence<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> conclusion<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><em>Note: In a simple, declarative op-ed (\u201cpolicy X is bad; here\u2019s why\u201d) , this may be straightforward. In a more complex commentary, the 3rd point may expand on the bigger picture\u2014historical context, global\/geographic picture, mythological underpinnings, etc.\u2014or may offer an explanation for a mystery that underpins the argument\u2013 eg., why a bad policy continues, in spite of its failures. <\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>\u201cTo Be Sure\u201d<\/strong> paragraph (in which you pre-empt your potential critics by acknowledging any flaws in your argument, and address any obvious counter-arguments.)<\/span><\/blockquote>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong> (often circling back to your lede)<\/span><\/blockquote>\r\n<h2><\/h2>\r\n<h2><strong>TIPS for Op-Ed Writing<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n1. <strong>Own your expertise<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #333333;\">Know what you are an expert in and why - but don\u2019t limit yourself. Consider the metaphors that your experience and knowledge suggest.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #333333;\"> 2. <strong>Stay current<\/strong>\r\nFollow the news \u2013 both general and specific to your areas of specialty. If you write about Haiti, read the Haitian press. If you write about pop culture, read the media that cover it.<\/span>\r\n\r\n3. <strong>The perfect is the enemy of the good<\/strong>\r\nIn other words: write fast. You may have only a few hours to get your piece in before the moment is gone. But also\u2026\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Cultivate a flexible mind<\/strong>\r\nRemember that a good idea may have more than one news hook, indeed if the idea is important enough it can have many. So keep an eye out for surprising connections and new news hooks \u2013 the opportunity may come around again.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #333333;\">5. <strong>Use plain language<\/strong>\r\nJargon serves a purpose, but it is rarely useful in public debate, and can obfuscate \u2013 sorry, I mean cloud \u2013 your argument. Speak to your reader in straight talk.<\/span>\r\n\r\n6. <strong>Respect your reader<\/strong>\r\nNever underestimate your reader\u2019s intelligence, or overestimate her level of information. Recognize that your average reader is not an expert in your topic, and that the onus is on you to capture her attention \u2013 and make the argument compel.","rendered":"<h2><strong>Structure<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">(THIS IS NOT A RULE! \u2013 JUST ONE WAY OF APPROACHING IT.) <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>Lede<\/strong> (Around a news hook)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>Thesis<\/strong> (Statement of argument \u2013 either explicit or implied)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>Argument<\/strong>: Based on evidence (such as stats, news, reports from credible organizations, expert quotes, scholarship, history, first-hand experience)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">1st Point<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">evidence <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> evidence<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> conclusion<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">2nd Point<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">evidence <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> evidence<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> conclusion<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">3rd Point<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">evidence <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> evidence<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"> conclusion<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><em>Note: In a simple, declarative op-ed (\u201cpolicy X is bad; here\u2019s why\u201d) , this may be straightforward. In a more complex commentary, the 3rd point may expand on the bigger picture\u2014historical context, global\/geographic picture, mythological underpinnings, etc.\u2014or may offer an explanation for a mystery that underpins the argument\u2013 eg., why a bad policy continues, in spite of its failures. <\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>\u201cTo Be Sure\u201d<\/strong> paragraph (in which you pre-empt your potential critics by acknowledging any flaws in your argument, and address any obvious counter-arguments.)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong> (often circling back to your lede)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>TIPS for Op-Ed Writing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>1. <strong>Own your expertise<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Know what you are an expert in and why &#8211; but don\u2019t limit yourself. Consider the metaphors that your experience and knowledge suggest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333333;\"> 2. <strong>Stay current<\/strong><br \/>\nFollow the news \u2013 both general and specific to your areas of specialty. If you write about Haiti, read the Haitian press. If you write about pop culture, read the media that cover it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>3. <strong>The perfect is the enemy of the good<\/strong><br \/>\nIn other words: write fast. You may have only a few hours to get your piece in before the moment is gone. But also\u2026<\/p>\n<p>4. <strong>Cultivate a flexible mind<\/strong><br \/>\nRemember that a good idea may have more than one news hook, indeed if the idea is important enough it can have many. So keep an eye out for surprising connections and new news hooks \u2013 the opportunity may come around again.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333333;\">5. <strong>Use plain language<\/strong><br \/>\nJargon serves a purpose, but it is rarely useful in public debate, and can obfuscate \u2013 sorry, I mean cloud \u2013 your argument. Speak to your reader in straight talk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>6. <strong>Respect your reader<\/strong><br \/>\nNever underestimate your reader\u2019s intelligence, or overestimate her level of information. Recognize that your average reader is not an expert in your topic, and that the onus is on you to capture her attention \u2013 and make the argument compel.<\/p>\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-98\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">Public domain content<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Basic Op-Ed Structure . <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: The OpEd Project. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theopedproject.org\/index.php?option=com_content&#038;view=article&#038;id=68&#038;Itemid=80\">http:\/\/www.theopedproject.org\/index.php?option=com_content&#038;view=article&#038;id=68&#038;Itemid=80<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/about\/pdm\">Public Domain: No Known Copyright<\/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":7,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"pd\",\"description\":\"Basic Op-Ed Structure \",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"The OpEd Project\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.theopedproject.org\/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=80\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"pd\",\"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-98","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":22,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/98","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\/98\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/98\/revisions\/100"}],"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\/98\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=98"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=98"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-cfacontrolthemessage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=98"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}