MAX 401 Civic Engagement Action Plan Workshop > Resources on Writing an Op Ed

Tips for Writing a Good Op-Ed

The goal of an op-ed is to engage the broader community in your action. It should present the social problem and your proposed solution in clear and compelling ways, and it should always ask the reader to do something tangible, not just to be aware of the problem. Here are some tips on how to write a good one.

Key Components

Audience
  • Who are you addressing?
  • Why do they need to know about the problem?
  • How can they help?
Accessibility
  • Should be short, succinct, clear and direct
  • Points should be well organized and in logical order
  • Avoid tangents and digressions
  • Work hard to avoid any implicit condescension toward the reader
  • No academic-style citations
Authenticity
  • Write in your own voice
Authority
  • Provide evidence to support your assertions
  • Cite your own experience if it's relevant
Alternatives
  • Avoid implying that no one could possibly disagree
  • Address likely opposing views
Action
  • An op-ed should not just be hand-wringing
  • It must do more than just raise awareness
  • Be explicit about what you want the reader to do

Structure

  1. Lede
  2. Problem and proposed action
  3. Supporting argument
  4. Alternative views
  5. Call to action

Example: Politico article on a price collar for carbon

Additional tips

  1. Focus on a single, well-defined problem
  2. Tie to a current issue or event - a "news hook"

Other information

Grading rubric  
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Peter J Wilcoxen, The Maxwell School, Syracuse University
 Revised 03/25/2022