A newspaper or magazine article that reflects the author’s personal viewpoint on a topic is called an opinion piece. These articles, which may be based on constructive criticism and expert viewpoints, contribute to the shaping of public discourse and debate. A variety of forms of opinion piece exist, from editorials that represent a publication’s stance to columns that showcase individual perspectives.

To write a good op-ed, you need to have a clear position on the issue and a convincing argument. You should advocate persuasively for something; whether it’s that your state protect its environment, the White House change its foreign policy or parents choose healthier foods for their children, you need to spell out what you want readers to do as a result of your writing.

Keep in mind that your opinion piece should be informed by research but that doesn’t mean every statement needs to be backed up with hard evidence. Practise explaining your position in conversation to someone unfamiliar with your work to help order your thoughts and highlight terms and concepts that might need further explanation.

Track the news to find out what issues are top of mind for readers and op-ed editors. If you can link your opinion piece to a current event or controversy, it is more likely to get published. Also, op-eds are less formal than academic papers and should feel more accessible to casual readers. Try to avoid tedious rebuttals; instead of arguing point-by-point why an earlier article is wrong, focus on how yours is right.