An opinion piece is a chance for you to put forward your worldview and argue for it. It needs to be strong, persuasive and provocative. It should also have a clear audience and be unique. It can wake the reader up with startling facts, move them with emotion or make a bold claim – but whatever the hook is it has to be powerful and clear.
To stand out from the crowd you need to offer a new angle on an issue, a different way of looking at it or do some groundbreaking research that is relevant to society and politics. Think about what people are talking about, what’s in the news or if there is a holiday or significant event coming up that you could tie your article to.
Your argument should have a strong point of view and be clearly articulated from the beginning of your article. You need to construct a series of interrelated arguments that hold up logically.
Aim high – don’t be afraid to pitch your piece to places beyond your local paper. In fact, this may increase your chances of getting published because many op-ed editors want to see that you have a variety of views and are not just a one-trick pony. If it is a timely issue that is related to something that’s happening now, include this in the subject line when you submit and consider simul-pitching (submitting to several outlets at once). The article should be well written with a clear point of view and the author should identify themselves as an academic or expert in the field of the topic.
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