1. Op-Ed

2. Your opinion…
Supported by facts.

3. Traditional journalism
reports facts – like the
sky is blue – without
expressing opinion

4. Op-Eds are intended to persuade and
sometimes lead audience to take action.

5. Editorials, Op-Eds and
Perspective sections
are the passion and
opinion of what is
supposed to be an
otherwise objective
news source

6. Structure #1: JUST OPINION
Discuss topic and your opinion
Consider opposing viewpoints
Support/prove your stance with supporting
details
Draw a conclusion

7. Structure #2:
PROBLEM/SOLUTION
State problem
State your position
Give evidence of your position
State and refute the opposing viewpoints
Offer possible solutions to the problem

8. Keep
background
information to under a paragraph

9. Keep prose concise
and tight.
Do not
over-explain

10. Make sure your topic is…
Relevant
Newsworthy
Pertinent NOW
Ongoing

11. AVOID

12. Have a strong thesis

13. Try not to be
wishy-washy.
It blurs the
focus of your
argument and
can confuse an
audience.

14. Avoid writing…
I think
I feel
I believe
Why?

15. Attack
things –
values,
ideas or
actions –
not
people

16. Keep your cool.

17. Start with a strong lead

18. End with a power punch that will stay
with your audience.

19. In order to have your claim
accepted, you must…
Support it
Predict objections and
rebuttals
Set up qualifiers

20. Support your
ideas!
HOW?

21. Do not repeat the same ideas over and over again.
Keep support fresh and varied.

22. Citing sources for Op-Eds
Work Cited
Parenthetical In-Text
Citations

23. Reference sources in the sentence or
paragraph
Example:
“A 2001 Gallup poll indicated…”
This gives the audience enough information to
fact check you in they want to.