An op-ed is an opinion piece that not only seeks to inform but also is a form of personal expression. The word itself is a bit of a relic and refers to the form’s original placement in physical newspapers: “opposite the editorial page.” Today, op-eds persist as a popular form of opinion writing, where your point of view about an issue is supported by stories and facts, and where you answer the questions: “Why do we need to think about this?” and “What should we do about it?”
Traditionally, op-eds were written by people outside a newspaper’s editorial board, offering viewpoints on a public issue. That spirit continues today, with the genre providing a space for community members, including teens, to speak up about what matters to them, whether that be as local as school policy or as global as climate change.
Even the most complex op-eds usually follow the same underlying structure. Once you learn it, you can adapt the foundations to fit your angle.
An op-ed has four main parts:
There are countless problems in the world, and understandably, you want to write about all of them. The good thing about an op-ed is that it invites you to slow down about a specific issue that you truly care about in a short space (400 to 1000 words, in the case of Write the World’s Op-Ed Competitions). Long enough to inspire change, short enough to make every sentence earn its place.
These are a few questions that can help you get to your core issue:
If you feel stuck, try answering the core questions in “4 Strategies for Writing a Winning Op-Ed” by Brittany Collins. The thoughts and feelings that pop up along the way might help you see a problem you might not have noticed before. Once you’ve nailed down your issue and your argument, the writing process becomes easier.
“Many readers have an attention span of a goldfish,” wrote Julia Jiang in her article “Breaking Down An Op-Ed.” “It’s our job to hook them quickly.”
You don’t need flashy gold hooks, but you do need a clear and specific one. The opening of Julia’s example op-ed works because it uses a relatable anecdote:
Every child has experienced it: the lifeless anticipation for a lesson to end or the frantic begs for an interactive class game to begin, hoping it would relieve our inattentiveness. However, stepping into lessons as a first-time teacher, I hesitated – watching my classroom transform into an uproar of hoorays after the assembly of a Kahoot! game as my last resort to garner attention — not merely because I know all too well Kahoot’s inability to entrench meaningful knowledge, but chiefly as I saw among their oblivious smiles a diagnosis I recognized too clearly in myself.
The balance of clarity and nuance is the key to making an engaging beginning. It’s a discipline to select important details that showcase personality without sacrificing clarity. Other effective ways to start are with shocking facts, compelling quotes, or rhetorical questions.
A part of an op-ed writer's job is to convince the reader. Different persuasive techniques work for different audiences. Using several of these techniques is a way to appeal from multiple angles and further solidify your argument.
The article “Persuasive Writing Examples” shows great strategies on how to sway a reader, which can be broken down into three main modes of appeal:
The boundaries between modes of appeal can sometimes blur. A logical one can make the stakes more apparent, and personal stories can heighten credibility. The harmony between appeals makes an op-ed compelling.
Each body paragraph should provide reasons and evidence that support your thesis. It often answers a “because.”
A reliable pattern looks like this:
For example, Julia builds her argument throughout the article, first by recognizing the issue as a social problem. Next, she explains her unique angle on tackling the topic. Finally, she unfurls the causes and consequences of the problem. You can try sprinkling these details in your op-ed to make the flow smoother and logical.
Although you desire a smooth reading experience for your paper, real-world issues are frequently complex and controversial. You don’t have to make your problem simpler, explains Slate journalist and Guest Judge Aymann Ismail. Recognizing the opposites and the in-between can make you more relatable and convincing.
As Julia notes, counterarguments add more dimension to a piece, but it is not a must. Writers need to refrain from defending stakeholders who perpetrate harm and then ask:
When you approach those who hold different opinions with an open heart, you gain the opportunity to learn from their perspectives and objections, which can then empower you to articulate your own more effectively with empathy.
Your last lines should leave a lasting impression. You might take one or a few of these approaches:
Op-ed often links back to your lede (what journalists call the introduction) and answers the “so what?” In other words, what should the reader think or do differently after this?
Ask yourself: If a person would only remember my last two sentences, what would I write?
Your issue may be personal to you, but you don’t have to keep it on your own. Reading from other writers might help you make sense of your feelings about the issue and how you approach it, especially as you revise your first draft.
On Write the World’s “Op-Ed Examples” page, you’ll find:
When you’re revising your draft, consider how other writers used personal analysis and metaphors throughout the piece, and how you can apply your personal context to leave a lasting impression. Seek to balance clarity and nuance while keeping the focus on your argument through your unique voice.
Once your op-ed feels ready, you can let your voice travel to a wider conversation.
The guide “How to Pitch an Op-Ed” highlights a few strategies:
You retain all the rights to your works on Write the World. In other words, you are allowed to republish elsewhere. A local newspaper is your best bet, but if you’re up for it, you can try with the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal, which will sometimes post pieces by young writers.
Best of luck with your pitches, and please remember to let us know at hello@writetheworld.org when your piece is published!