Writing Successful Op-Eds and Letters To The Editor
A great way to highlight your scholarly background and expertise is through the publication of opinion-editorial (op-ed) columns and letters to the editor in newspapers and magazines. These columns can help introduce you and your expert perspective to the general public as well as members of the news media. Having an op-ed published boosts your overall media profile and can help create additional media opportunities with reporters and editors as they learn more about your expertise.

By the nature of their work, professors are regarded as among the most knowledgeable members of society. As such, your writing is generally well-received by editorial page editors. Academic voices are among the most frequently found on editorial pages.

Still, you will need more than persuasive writing and solid academic credentials to rise above the pack and get your op-ed or letter published. Follow these suggestions to improve your chances.

What to Write?
Whether you are addressing a matter of national policy or offering simple reflections on daily life, you should choose a subject that is topical and relevant to a general audience. Selecting topics that closely align with your area of expertise is the most logical and the best way to leverage your credentials. Virtually all op-eds and letters to the editor deal with issues that currently dominate the news. Most importantly, have something fresh and original to say.

Editorial pages are largely dedicated to dissecting policy issues that impact the greater community. International relations, social and economic trends and politics are the topics most often seen on the editorial page. The best way to determine what would be most appropriate for a particular publication is first to become familiar with it. Each day, read the editorial pages of the publications you would like to target. Learn to recognize the style, length and tone of successful submissions and fashion your effort similarly.

Major news events or political developments, pending or recently enacted legislation, and groundbreaking research findings all provide opportunities for op-eds or letters to the editor. Be sure you address an issue that involves real debate, rather than argue an obvious position, such as crime is bad. Hotly debated issues generally produce many submissions, and editors will select only the best to print. Editors try to cover a variety of issues and viewpoints. If you already have seen your topic addressed in a particular media outlet, send your piece to a different news organization, write about a different angle on the issue or choose another topic.

Significant anniversaries of major historical events—such as the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima—can serve as an opportunity to bring new perspectives to much debated topics. Holidays such as Labor Day, Independence Day or Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday provide a timely hook for fresh insight on related topics. Avoid using promotional or gimmicky events like national awareness weeks proclaimed by trade associations or social service organizations. Editors rarely consider these compelling reasons to print your piece. Though they are less often featured, humorous or personal essays dealing with day-to-day life are used on occasion.

Be aware that you may not be the only one to write about an issue and that editors attempt to balance the subject matter on their pages. Opinion page editors may receive dozens of pieces about wonderful mothers before Mother’s Day, but may have room for only one.

When you have an idea for an op-ed or a letter to the editor, the following advice will help you get published.

Best Practices for the Editorial Page
Op-ed or letter to the editor? Op-eds are typically longer (600 to 750 words) and feature self-contained arguments that stand alone. Letters to the editor are short (usually 150 to 250 words) and usually provide a direct response to an article that has appeared in the publication. Because publications run so many more letters to the editor than op-eds, your chances of getting published are much greater with letters to the editor. If you have a brief point to make about an issue in the news, a letter to the editor is your best bet. You are encouraged to include your DePaul title in your signature if useful to establish your credentials in relation to a topic in which you have academic or university expertise. It is not appropriate to cite your title or DePaul affiliation if you are writing as a private citizen expressing a personal opinion.

Timeliness: Op-eds and letters to the editor need to be timely and address issues that are currently in the news. In the case of a letter to the editor, you must send it within one or two days after the original story appears. Because of the limited space for op-eds, note that it is common for editors to hold potential columns for weeks while they consider whether to run it. Op-eds written with longer “shelf lives” will have a much greater chance of getting published.

Pointed view: Opinion editors look for articles that are provocative and succinctly argue particular points of view on issues that are dominating the headlines. They do not want pieces that argue all sides of an issue.

Clarity: Avoid acronyms and academic or legalistic language. Op-eds that appear in general-circulation publications should be comprehensible to all readers. Use “plain English” language in an active voice and with a moderate tone. Op-eds should conform to the stylistic rules of the Associated Press Stylebook (apstylebook.com/ask_editor.php). Op-eds that do not require editing are most likely to be accepted. If the editors can't follow your argument, they certainly won’t ask their readers to figure it out.

Accuracy: Double-check all your facts, the spelling of names and places, and make certain you have no grammatical errors. Even simple mistakes can hurt your credibility and cause an otherwise well-written piece to be rejected.

Length: Follow the word-length limits set by the publication. Your piece is most likely to be selected if it fits the format. Typically, op-eds should be no more than 750 words, although each publication sets its own limit and the trend is toward shorter pieces. Submit only completed pieces. Editors will not respond to queries on topics.

Exclusivity: National newspapers usually demand exclusivity on op-eds they publish, and it is often preferred by local newspapers as well. It is much more difficult to get published in national publications due to the increased volume of submissions. If you are planning to submit to multiple publications, give each paper one week to consider the piece. Review each newspaper’s guidelines, which may have more advice on this issue. 

Identification: Include your name under the headline of your submission. A short one- or two-sentence statement of your credentials should be included at the end of the article noting your name, academic title, department, DePaul University and expertise in the area. This explanation is normally 25 words or fewer. If you are writing a letter to the editor and stating a personal point of view unrelated to your area of expertise, it is not appropriate to include your DePaul affiliation.  

Submission Guidelines: Virtually all op-eds and letters to the editor are submitted via e-mail. Most media outlets will include the submission address on their opinion pages at least several times a week. If you need contact information at a particular outlet, call Media Relations. Be sure to include contact information where you can be reached during business and evening hours. 

Following Up: Op-ed editors will usually call only if they plan to use a piece. If you must follow up with a phone call, make sure to keep the call short. Never call after 3 p.m., when editors are on deadline.  

Compensation: Larger newspapers may pay a stipend for pieces they publish, but most pay nothing. Sharing your knowledge with the public and enhancing DePaul’s and your reputation are your principal benefit.