You should leave them with a call to action, and give them some actions they can take. And finally, if possible, I give an example to demonstrate my argument. An op-ed piece derives its name from originally having appeared opposite the editorial page in a newspaper. Write about your opinion. Knowing how to write a good thesis is crucial. Sure, social media allows us to express opinions like never before, but if you are looking for a larger audience, an opinion article is the solution you are looking for. Today, the term is used more widely to represent a column that represents the strong, informed, and focused opinion of the writer on an issue of relevance to a targeted audience. Sometimes, a photo of the author accompanies the piece in the biography portion. This is because they have heard this argument earlier, and quite a few times too. Know what the desired effect of the op-ed iswhether it be a call to action, or a call for further thought. Additionally, public relations firms often write these articles, in attempts to forward an agenda. But this solution also comes with its requirements. The best columns also limit themselves to one subject. Whether it is an emotional argument or a factual one, it becomes convincing only when you explain it. You can draw the attention of the reader to that outcome to make them care about your article. You are not writing a news report showing the existence of a problem. This might assist you in making decisions about the kinds of words you use (e. g., technical terms or jargon), or what kinds of stories you tell. These pieces are sometimes contracted out to freelancers for ghostwriting. It's important to follow the style guidelines and word count given by the publication the piece is going to be published in. For example, if the issue is supported by candidates running for office, you might tell your readers to cast their votes for the candidate in their district that reflects the opinion in the article. If you are offering solutions to a problem at the end of your article, you are already close to summing up what you have argued throughout the article. The client will generally dictate the opinion for you, and give you the main points they would like to have covered. This reduces the amount of editing that may be needed to get the article up to par and reduces the time spent going back and forth between you, your client, and their publisher. It is okay for the Delhi High Court to say: Any provision of Territorial Army Act barring recruitment of women is ultra vires the Constitution. You are probably better off saying: Any provision of Territorial Army Act that bars the recruitment of women is unconstitutional.. A reader decides to read the article after reading a title. Before writing anything, it is essential to refer to the important information. Often, a biographical paragraph or two accompanies the piece to lend credence to it and the author. If you are a freelance writer and have found a client who needs an op-ed written, there are a few key concepts you should use when submitting an opinion article. Don't leave your readers wondering what comes next, or what they can do about a particular issue. Allena Tapia wrote about freelance writing The Balance Careers and The Balance SMB. Ten Tips for Faculty Members Writing Opinion Columns. Becoming more knowledgeable is a practical way to learn how to write an opinion paper successfully. You'll have to be clear on the opinion, know how to hook the readers, understand the audience, back up the opinion with facts, follow any formatting rules, and give the readers a call to action. It is different from an essay in that it deals usually with issues being reported in the news and is written in your own unique tone. These opinion pieces are relevant articles written to address popular or unknown issues, or in response to opinions expressed elsewhere. Opinions need evidence and support. Avoid industry-speak and jargon to reduce topic confusion and audience limitation. This is then backed by a logical explanation and examples. The op-ed is then published in a spot where it will be noticed, either in the traditional spot opposite the editorial in printed media, or somewhere on a website where viewers will see it. Your thesis shouldnt What Is a 'Galley' in Magazine and Book Publishing? A good thesis statement is short and sweet dont use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences. Back to Helpful Handouts o Writing Center Home Page. Often, they turn to freelance writers for assistance. A good thesis statement will keep your writing on track, while poor thesis statements will often leave readers confused as to the purpose and direction of your paper. An opinion article, as the name suggests, is an article where you express your opinion on an issue. This is a strong thesis because it takes a stand, and because it's specific. Your thesis statement is the central argument of your essay. For example, do you know of a way in which the issue you are discussing will affect a potential reader? Similarly, you can look for a specific incident, nuggets from history, and so on. By using The Balance Small Business, you accept our. Think of a topic that you are passionate about and that you have a strong opinion on when figuring out your content. The former makes a new argument through overlooked data, while the latter brings an opinion that is not intuitive. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion. These articles generally come from an author not affiliated with the media publisher and are used to publish an opinion that is meant to create thought and discussion among readers. Making a specific argument isnt limited to finding a specific logic though. It will be a lot easier to write a column if you care about the subject. I structure my arguments usually by first stating what my argument is, then following it up with my reasons. If you have distinguished your opinion by following the above steps, it is important that you also convey your opinion to every reader effectively. It can also include things like a specific location or identity. Even in an opinion article, you must try to offer something new. Generally, data and statistics are used to reinforce the points being made. It's a good idea to start by introducing the issue along with a story that personalizes it. It must be concise and well-written. It makes sense in an opinion article to make those one or two arguments that you can persuasively put forward, and deal with them at length. With reducing attention spans, you have to be careful about the space you use and what you do with it. You'll have to be clear on the opinion, know how to hook the readers, understand the audience, back up the opinion with facts, follow any formatting rules, and give the readers a call to action. Unlike more traditional forms of journalism (such as news reports or articles), a column is by nature biased and opinionated. If you want them to read beyond that, you must make them care about what you have to say. When you are given someone else's opinion to write about, it can be difficult to agree with it. Have an Opinion: The best columns are those that illustrate a point of view, or make a call to action, or put forward recommendations. With reducing attentionspans, you have to be careful about the space you use and what you do with it. Make your point in the first few sentences, then show the readers why they should care about the issue. Your Writing Can Create An Impact Here Are 7 Tricks To Help You Do That, A Quick Guide To Writing A Powerful Personal Story On Youth Ki Awaaz, 3 , Youth Ki Awaaz 3.0: Three Ways In Which YKA Is Making It Easier For You To Raise Your Awaaz. Here's How to Write and Format an Effective Letter to the Editor, How to Use Personality Theory to Write Better Fundraising Materials, Business Plan Tips: How to Write a Winning Executive Summary, Make Your Article Marketing Efforts Pay Off With Some Top Writing Tips, The Balance Small Business is part of the. Don't hide it; make it clearly asserted at the beginning of your paper. You want to assume an adopting role of the opinion until the work is finished, which can allow you to write better for the entity you are creating content for. Opinion writing is a form of academic paper which asks students to include their thoughts when it comes to a topic. A freelancer will sometimes be used as a ghostwriterwriting using someone else's byline. One problem ghostwriters have is not agreeing with a topic they are writing about which can cause problems writing an effective piece. So feel free to offer recommendations or solutions that can solve the problem that you are highlighting. She is a freelance marketing and communications consultant. If you check the length of an article before deciding to read it, you know what I am talking about. If you can finish this off with a polished small paragraph that sticks in the mind of the reader, you will have made an impression on them. Have an Opinion: The best columns are those that illustrate a point of view, or make a call to action, or put forward recommendations. There are no fixed ways of doing this, but if you can distil everything you have said in the article in as few words as possible, we can say that you have succeeded. Learn what a thesis statement is and does, and how to write a good thesis and avoid a bad one. Not all opinion articles get noticed or influence other people. Repeating a statement will only convince those who already believe in it. This will give you an idea of how you can sway or reinforce the reader's thoughts on the topic. Your thesis goes in the introductory paragraph. To write an opinion piece, or an op-ed, on a current event or trend, start by condensing your argument down to 1 or 2 sentences, then support that argument with historical facts, statistics, quotes, and other interesting information. Active voice: The police arrested the students immediately afterwards. Be familiar with the audiencethink of who reads the medium the article will be published on, and who reads about the issue you're addressing. Opinion writing involves the use of a students point-of-view which is segregated into a point. 2. Writing an opinion column for a newspaper or magazine offers the chance to air your feelings about a hot topic -- and maybe even influence public opinion. Contentious. Consider the Context: Leverage your expertise by writing about topics already in the news. Your reader is going to make a decision within the first few sentences whether or not the piece is worth reading. The opening paragraphs or the introduction is one area where you perform this manoeuvre. These are the Different Types of Newspaper Articles for Freelancers, The Media Pieces Freelance Writers Are Expected to Produce. Op-eds should be backed with facts, figures, and statistics to be credible. You may have written for them for a long time and are familiar with their opinionsit still helps to be sure that you understand their goals and thoughts on the issues, as opinions and outlooks can change over time. Explain concepts to broaden the understanding for readers that are not industry experts. Such new arguments and opinions can range from If you look at these numbers, you will get a new perspective on violence, to I dont think surgical strikes can end terrorism. Key Takeaways: Writing a Thesis Statement. Concise. It is a good practice to introduce your reader to the specific argument you are going to make in the introduction or immediately after it. There will always be that opinion article that breaks these rules. A thesis statement gives your reader a preview of your paper's content by laying out your central idea and expressing an informed, reasoned answer to your research question. Effective columns share clarity of thought, consistency of tone and concrete examples to frame the central argument. The article after reading a title should be backed with facts, figures, and quite a few too Anybody to read it, you know what the desired effect of the reader space you and. 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