Whether you want to communicate your research to a wider audience, or just change the way others think about an issue, an opinion piece is one of the most important tools at your disposal. However, it can also be a difficult one to get right.
A good opinion piece fascinates readers by being a fresh take on a well-established subject. It challenges the reader to consider your perspective and perhaps even change their own. To create this type of content, you need to have a clear vision of what you are trying to achieve. Then it’s a matter of finding a way to stand out from the crowd.
This can be done by being a voice of reason on an issue, or by daring to be more controversial. It’s also important that you back up your statements with solid research. This includes reviewing credible source material, direct quotes and verifiable facts.
Once you have a strong idea of what you are going to write about, pitch it to the editor. This is usually done via email and should include your name, institution, and a brief bio. If you are writing for a specific publication, identify the editor of the op-ed section or letter pages. Editors of high-prestige publications are often busy, so it is best to contact just one at a time. They may not respond for days or weeks, so it’s best to have your plan in place before approaching any of them.
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