Opinion pieces, also known as ‘op-eds’, are a popular type of long-form journalism. These six tips will help you plan and put together a winning opinion piece.
Knowing your Audience
It’s imperative that you know who you’re writing the opinion piece for. Where will the story be published? What is the readership? Where do they live? What is the age group? This all matters when it comes to choosing a story.
Story Relevance
The subject must have relevance to your readers. The reader does not necessarily have to have the same opinion as you, at least not before they read your piece, but they need to have a vested interest in the subject matter.
Strong Argument
The key component of an opinion piece is having a strong argument. It must be clear, even from the title and introduction, what your opinion is. While it is important to show some balance and counterpoints, woolly, on-the-fence pieces are not compelling enough for this format. Be sure to use solid evidence to support your points.
Personal Voice
Your personal voice should shine throughout an opinion piece. This is a completely different way of writing than, say, a hard news report, which must be unbiased and free from emotive or persuasive language. Many newspapers will have a large cohort of opinion piece writers, who each have their own unique voice.
Engaging Writing
The writing must engage the reader. Not only will engaging writing keep them reading well beyond the opening paragraph, but it will help you sway readers to your opinion.
Structure
A good structure is vital for a successful opinion piece. The article should start with a strong hook, followed by logical and coherent arguments, counterpoints, and a clear conclusion. You will learn the principles of good structure by studying for a journalism degree, like those offered by //schoolofjournalism.co.uk/.
Opinion pieces tend to be offered to experienced journalists, but even those at the start of their careers should practise this art form. Good structure, compelling writing, and a strong argument are all key to success in this area of journalism.