Essential Elements of a Classic Newspaper Op-ed Format

Classic newspaper op-eds help shape public opinion and allow prominent
journalists and thinkers to present their views on a variety of current issues.
Unlike other sections of the newspaper, which simply report facts, the op-ed
section attempts to persuade readers to take a specific side on a key issue. As a
result, nearly all op-ed articles follow a standard op-ed format:

First-person Narrative
An op-ed describes a single person's opinion. While other journalistic articles
eliminate pronouns or write from a third-person perspective, write your op-ed in
first-person narrative to help readers understand that the editorial represents your
personal opinion on the issue. Use "I," "me" and "my" to describe your opinions,
and use second-person pronouns like "you" and "your" to draw your readers into
the editorial.

Specific Point of View

Many newspaper articles strive to be objective, meaning the articles present facts
without siding to any single point of view. However, the op-ed format must
include a specific point of view: You must either be for or against a particular
candidate, policy or political situation. Unless you state a point of view and
effectively describe your opinion on the issue, the article is not an op-ed piece.

Anecdotes and Stories

Op-ed articles nearly always include at least one anecdote or story to illustrate
the author's point. Unlike other newspaper articles, which focus mainly on
numbers and impersonal data, the op-ed article weaves in the personal story (i.e.
describing a family struggling with a tax increase or the workers who lost their
jobs during budget cuts). Using an anecdote or story that reflects your opinion
also increases the validity of your editorial. If you state that a policy is wrong
without including an explanation, your op-ed is not effective.

Humor
While humor is inappropriate in many other areas of the newspaper, the op-ed
page is a place to illustrate your point of view with quips, puns and humorous
anecdotes. It is no coincidence that a newspaper's op-ed page often includes
editorial cartoons alongside its editorial articles; by using humor, you help
convert readers to your point of view. Make sure your humor is appropriate to the
situation by staying family-friendly and avoiding jokes that are likely to offend
readers.
In writing an op-ed article, follow the submission guidelines for your local
newspaper or favorite online publication; even major newspapers like The New
York Times accept editorial submissions from readers. Once your op-ed appears
in a local or major newspaper, others have the chance to read your opinions and
use your article to shape opinions of their own.