THE OP-ED

An op-ed piece is pro-active. It presents a position on a controversial issue without waiting for an adversary to open debate. Rather than responding to a published article, letter, or competing op-ed, it sets its own terms.

Nonetheless, an op-ed needs to hook itself to something topical to get an editor's (or reader's) attention: it can't just appear in a vacuum.

Writing an op-ed

Be brief! - 250 words is a reasonable limit for an op-ed, but examine op-eds in the publication you are targeting for guidance.

Show your credentials! - In your byline or within the text of your op-ed, show that you have the expertise to speak as an authority.

Present your position clearly! - Assume the reader knows nothing about the subject except for whatever is headline news or common sense. Provide the facts you need to make commonsense points, but stick to a tightly limited message that expresses your position. Don't branch off to anticipate every objection to it.

Placing an op-ed

Link it to current events! - Something must make your op-ed timely. A well-publicized forest fire can draw attention to your op-ed on salvage harvesting. The approach of deer season can launch your op-ed on how harvesting creates habitat. To link an op-ed to a bill being introduced in the legislature takes real skill: can you present the substance of the bill accurately in a short paragaph, in a way that makes it important to the reader, and then present your position?

Speak for an organization! - If your opinion is the official position of an organization, it will carry more weight with editors and readers.

Make a sales call! - The personal touch makes a difference. Phone or visit the publication's editorial or op-ed editor, and persuade him or her that your point of view matters.

E-mail it to the editor! - Almost all editors prefer e-mailed submissions, since they are easy to "paste" into their publication. In the case of a brief op-ed or letter, include your text directly in the e-mail, rather than as an attachment. The editor may not have a compatible word processor, or the editor may be wary of opening attachments from strangers, because of possible viruses. Be sure to include your mailing address and phone number, so the editor can verify your identity.