Craig+Norlin


 * Unfamiliar Genre Project**

Name: Opinion Editorial

Why Interested:


 * I think that it would be interesting to write about a current topic and put my opinion into it.

What you know about the genre:


 * I know what I have seen from newspaper Op Ed's and basically other articles on the internet.

Guide to writing an Opinion Editorial

Newspapers do not have a lot of space, and so when writing an Op Ed, you need to be short and to the point. Most agree to keep it under 750 words. Since the article is going to be short, you need to be to the point. In fact, make sure you have your main opinion in the title. This will grab people's attention. Also, make sure that you remember who is reading the article. Put yourself in their shoes. At the end, ask questions like "Who Cares?, and "So What?" You need to appeal to the reader's interest and explain why your advice might bring some change that effects them. It is also important not to just say that there needs to be a change, but not have any solution. Give your honest opinion and give a possible solution to the posed problem. Make sure that you have shorter paragraphs and sentences. Readers want something short, punchy, and to the point. Don't be afraid to use a personal voice in the article. It is your opinion and people are supposed to hear "I couldn't believe my eyes!" In the same vein, use an active voice instead of saying that "one would hope that the elephants would get better treatment." There is always another side of the story, so make sure that you acknowledge it and use that to pose your argument. Do not get muddled down with vague questions. Instead, write persuasively and to the point. A comment on the structure is to make it double-spaced, as this is how all work is submitted. It will be edited by the newspaper or website. Make sure that you give your name, have a picture of yourself, and a little bit of contact information. Make sure that you come down hard on one side of the fence, not balancing on it. Also, don't be afraid to add a little humor. This will help readers enjoy your article a little more. To finish, make sure you have a strong ending. No one likes a bad ending, and the same goes for writing an Op Ed.

Annotated Bibliography

Keegan, Matthew. How to Write Your Op-Ed Piece. __Ezine Articles__. Feb 2011. 

McLain, John. How to Write an Op-Ed. __All About Public Relations__. Feb 2011. 

Op-Ed Articles: How to Write and Place Them. Office of News and Communications. Published by: __Duke University__. May 2009. 

All three sites give simple rules to writing an Op-Ed piece. While they differed in advice, they all had around the same idea. Keep it short, simple and to the point.