Already a master of the letter to the editor? Try your hand at an op-ed:

Op-eds (opinion editorials) are 500-800 word pieces that give you the opportunity to write your own news. The opinion/editorial page is usually the most read section of a newspaper, so you will have a platform to reach a wide swath of readers, including members of congress. Writing an op-ed might seem daunting, but it’s really not as hard as it sounds. Here are some tips to get you started.

Structure and Substance:

• Hook your readers in the first two sentences. Open with a bold statement that ties into the news.

• Tailor it to the publication’s audience by putting a national story in a local context. For example, giving statistics about the rising cost of healthcare in your town or state. Surprising facts that hit close to home will hold readers’ interest.

• Personal anecdotes can make for a compelling op-ed…just don’t be hokey.

• Think like an outsider. Ask yourself if the op-ed answers the question, “So what, why should I care?” If it doesn’t, time to re-write. Make sure you don’t use insider language or “jargon”

• Write concisely. Use short sentences and short paragraphs of a few sentences each.

• Choose the appropriate spokesperson to write the op-ed. Opt for someone who is directly affected by the issue if possible.

• Remember that by the end of the op-ed, you want to incite people to action. Repeat key messages throughout the piece, and summarize them again at the end.

• Be sure to include your contact information (Name, Address, Affiliation, Phone)

• If you are a student or a young person, include your school and age

• Most papers have specific guidelines for op-eds, including suggested length, and some may not accept unsolicited op-eds at all. Make sure you follow their guidelines. Editors do not want to have to edit down a 1,000 word piece…they will just toss it. Find out the word count before you sit down to write – it will save you time.

Placement:

• First do a quick overview to see what issues have already been covered – a paper usually won’t print two LTEs or op-eds on healthcare in the same week. Try to read the paper you’re pitching to, so you’ll know what they usually like to cover and how.

• Stay on top of the news cycle. If news breaks on Monday, try to get an op-ed in on Tuesday, not Friday. Having a sample ready to go which can be tailored to your needs will help you stay current

• Smaller papers are hungry for good op-eds. This is great news for us during the April recess. Target your local, regional or metro papers.

• Think outside the print box. More and more papers are switching to online-only formats, which allow for more content (often it’s the same editor for both.) Other sites like The Huffington Post and DailyKos are great places to get exposure.

• If you are e-mailing the op-ed, make sure the subject line is clear, i.e. “SUBMISSION: Op-ed on XXX,” “Time sensitive – op-ed on XXX.”

• Always embed everything in the e-mail. Never send attachments unless the paper explicitly asks for them.

• Write a brief note explaining what the op-ed is about, and thanking the editor for their consideration.