A well-written opinion piece, or op-ed, is an excellent way to raise awareness about a research finding or to advocate for change. It can help legislators understand why they should support a policy, for example, and it helps to disseminate research to a general audience outside of academic journals. The op-ed was named for its original placement opposite the editorial page of a newspaper. Since then, op-ed pieces have evolved into a broad spectrum of formats, including blogs, podcasts and video essays.
A good op-ed starts with a strong, newsworthy hook and is clearly anchored to a current event or news item. This is important because readers of op-ed pages want to read about something they can connect with right now. They want a personal story, or a human face behind the science. Using a real-life example – such as the Pentagon’s overpriced toilet seat, or an experience from your own practice – can make a big difference in catching the reader’s attention and bringing your argument to life.
Often, op-eds will focus on one point of view and use a variety of persuasive strategies to reach the reader. Expert op-ed writers are careful to balance their argument and avoid making unsupported claims. They also recognize that their opponents may have valid points, and they acknowledge them as appropriate. These techniques increase the credibility of the op-ed and improve its chances for publication. In addition, good op-ed writers are concise and clear and don’t try to cover too much ground in an article.