Writing an Op-ed

While there is no single way to write an op-ed, the following structure may help you identify the different parts you need and a common way to organize them. This comes from The OpEd Project, where you can find more information to guide you.

  1. Lede and news hook
    • Grab your reader’s attention using a recent news story that would be of interest to your audience
  2. Thesis statement
  3. Argument (with evidence; use many paragraphs)
    • 1st point (use evidence)
    • 2nd point (use evidence)
    • 3rd point (use evidence)
  4. “To be sure” paragraph
    • Address potential criticism.
  5. Conclusion
    • Connect your conclusion back to the lede.

Example

Margolis, Michele. 2018. “When Politicians Determine Your Religious Beliefs.” The New York Times.

  • This is an op-ed written by Michele Margolis, a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania. In this op-ed she discusses her research to support her argument. Can you identify the argument? Where does it appear?