An Op-Ed or Opinion Article is an opinion piece published in a newspaper but written by someone who is not on that newspaper's staff. Many large dailies, smaller dailies, and weekly newspapers use op-eds somewhere in their editorial section. On many large newspapers, that paper's editorials, the editorial cartoon and columns by staff writers will appear on one editorial page. Opposite that page, the op-ed articles will be run, and that's where the term "op-ed" comes from—it's opposite the editorial page.
The important point is that these articles provide anyone with the chance to publish his or her opinion. You don't have to convince a reporter to cover something; you can express your opinion. You may see that the president of the chamber of commerce is published in the op-ed columns. This opportunity is available to you, too.
So What Do I Do?
First, determine whether newspapers in your area use op-ed articles. You can do this simply by reading the editorial pages. See if national columnists or local officials are published. Read these articles. Become familiar with style, length, format, messages, and anything else that makes them stand out.
Second, decide what you would like to write. Sample topics for educators might include:
- How parents can help students learn
- What's right with education
- Success of our local school
- The importance of middle level education
- The need for resources in education
- How the community can support its schools
Third, determine the newspaper to which you would like to submit your op-ed article and find out who makes decisions about those articles at the paper. It's typical to select the largest newspaper in your community and offer the article to that paper on an exclusive basis, meaning you will not submit it elsewhere until that newspaper decides whether it will use the piece. If that paper publishes the article, you can not later give it to another paper. If the first newspaper does not use your article, you are free to send it elsewhere once the decision to reject is made.
To find out the name of the person in charge of op-ed articles, simply phone the newspaper and ask. On large papers, there will probably be one editor of the op-ed page. On smaller papers, the editorial page editor will make the decision; on weeklies it will probably be the editor or publisher. Give that individual a call and let him or her know your interest in writing an op-ed article and the topic. Focus on why your article is important to the community. Let the editor know you'll offer this exclusively. The editor will hopefully express an interest in looking at your article. Do not expect to be told that your article will be printed. If the editor is interested, ask about length, deadlines, and any other details.
Now You're Ready to Write
Once the editor has said he or she will consider your article, it's time to write. Review the sample we have provided. Please consider it as a sample, which you could and should adapt. Consider adding local examples—that will make the article much stronger. Write in a crisp, clear style. It's essential to forget educational jargon.
After writing and editing the article, send or deliver it to the op-ed editor. The sooner you can get this done after your phone conversation the better, because your proposal will be fresh in the editor's mind. If you mail your article, it's okay to phone the editor a few days later to confirm that the article has been received and inquire when a decision might be made. Frequently phone calls, however, will bug the editor, hurt your chances of publication, and are inappropriate.
About Yourself
It's appropriate to include a few sentences about yourself since some newspapers identify the writer of op-ed articles. This should not be your resume, but one or two sentences. For example:
John Smith has been a science teacher at Sunnyside Middle School since 1988. He was named Teacher of the Year for Sunnyside Schools last year.
Afterwards
If your article is used, it would be appropriate to write a thank you note to the person who made the decision. You should develop a relationship with this individual for the future.
If there are key people in your community who should see the message in your op-ed article, send copies of it to them. Having your message published adds credibility to it; make use of that. Appropriate people to see your message might be state legislators, locally-elected officials, business leaders, and parent group leaders amongst others.
Some Final Points
- Do not ask for a guarantee that your article will be used—only for the chance to submit it and have it reviewed.
- Submit your article typed doubled-spaced.
Copyright © 1996 by LA Communications