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The Opinion Editorial, or Op-Ed, is a genre that empowers writers to take a stand—to share their deeply held beliefs, call readers to action, ignite productive discussion, and appeal to audience members’ emotions, ethics, and logic, all in the name of advocating for a central argument they stand firmly behind.
As you prepare for Write the World’s Op-Ed Competition sponsored by the National Student Leadership Conference (more on their important work below!), use these tips, prompts, and reflection questions to chart your course toward a winning entry.
Own Your Expertise
As we note in our competition prompt, the opinion essay is perhaps the most democratic, the most inclusive and expansive, form of writing. Its history proves this point: the Op-Ed pages were quite literally opposite the editorial page in print newspapers of eras past. Their appearance was revolutionary—representing the first time community members were not only welcomed into journalism, but invited to share their personal (and subjective) thoughts and perspectives in a discipline known for its objectivity. And the genre is relatively new—The New York Times, for instance, only instituted its Op-Ed pages (now called “Perspectives”) in 1970.With the broad recognition that personal opinions, lived experiences, and a diversity of voices are essential to journalism comes an important opportunity: to own your expertise. What is it that only you know and can speak to? How do your particular memories illuminate universal messages about a particular issue or topic? Why do you feel strongly about the issues you care about, and how can you share those feelings with others in a convincing way?
These inquiries are at the heart of the Op-Ed; you need not have a doctorate in a given field, or a degree in journalism, to contribute your voice to essential cultural, political, and communal conversations—all thanks to this beautiful, rigorous genre of writing.
Use Scenes To Prove Your Point
If I were to tell you about a vivid childhood memory of a summer afternoon spent savoring lemon popsicles beneath a blinding sun, you’d probably be more interested, more invested, than if I told you “It was hot.” True to the age-old adage many English Language Arts teachers share, showing is more interesting to readers than telling.
So, consider specific moments and memories from your life that show readers something important about your central argument. If you’re writing about racial justice, maybe this means carrying readers into a scene from your local Black Lives Matter protest; or, if you’re tackling the topic of climate change, maybe it means describing, in visual detail, how the view outside your window has changed throughout your life.
Stay Openhearted to Learn from Your Naysayers
Because Op-Eds are, well, all about opinions, there will inevitably be readers who hold different views, whose perspectives and life experiences lead them to disagree with your work. Although this can feel intimidating, it’s ultimately productive; rather than viewing your naysayers as a threat or source of fear, try to re-frame them as teachers. What can you learn from their beliefs, criticisms, and arguments to better and more convincingly articulate your own?
When writing an Op-Ed, be sure to seek out information (articles, podcasts, coffee house conversations) from/with those who hold opposing views. Set aside your defenses for a moment, and rather than disagreeing, try to observe the logic, emotions, vulnerabilities, information, data, or fears that underlie these perspectives. Then, work into your Op-Ed some counterarguments that refute these points—armed with new knowledge and empathy for where they originate and why.
Ask Yourself These Core Questions To Get Started
As you prepare to write your Op-Ed (or if you're feeling stuck throughout the process), try practicing “free writing,” keeping your pen moving and capturing every thought that naturally arises, in response to the following questions:- What is the “so what” of this issue/argument? In other words, what is at stake?
- Who cares about this issue, and why?
- Who doesn’t seem to care about this issue? Why not?
- Whom do you most hope/intend to read your opinion essay? What viewpoint(s) does that audience hold?
- When did you first learn about, notice, or feel connected to this issue, and why?
- What moments in your life have demonstrated or exemplified this issue?
- Among those who care about this issue, are there multiple viewpoints or perspectives? How can you capture that nuance in your work?
- How does the past connect to this present issue? How will our current moment impact the future of its unfolding?
- What might you say to a 5 year old about this issue? An 85 year old?
- What action do you hope readers will take after reading your work? How do you hope to influence their thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors?
- In one sentence, what is the central message you hope to convey to your readers? (An effective Op-Ed typically makes only one strong point.)
🎉 Thank you to our Op-Ed Competition Sponsor: National Student Leadership Conference! 🎉
This blog post was made possible by this month’s competition sponsor, NSLC, whose mission is to empower and inspire the next generation of leaders by providing immersive summer programs to middle and high school students, so they may develop the skills, experience, and confidence they need to envision and pursue fulfilling academic and professional careers.
Learn more about NSLC's opportunities.
