For your op-ed/editorial/opinion article, you will first need to choose a topic related to social
or human rights issues that is important for your community or for your current or future
professional life. Your goal will be to sway your readers/pinion on the topic and to persuade
them to take certain action (e.g., support a specific public policy or adopt a new recycling
practice) or adopt a certain point of view on the topic.
To achieve that goal, you will need to use multiple persuasive strategies, from citing statistics,
examples, and facts, to using stories and personal examples to appeal to your readers¥motions. Keep in mind that op-ed articles typically do not rely on sources to the same
extent as some other genres; limit your supporting sources to no more than 4 and make sure
they come from credible, trustworthy publications and are free of false information, skewed
facts, or strong bias. You can check your sources#redibility following the suggestions in this
guide (Links to an external site.).
Remember Is it factual, well-balanced? Is the site what it represents to be?
Directions:
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Your first step will be choosing a topic for your op-ed/editorial/opinion article.
Make sure it bears some importance for your community and/or your professional
path, whether itàyour chosen major, the discipline where you plan to go, or the
job you are currently holding. Make sure your topic is not too broad (e.g., ìimate
change)s a very broad topic, but áter management in Las Vegas in the time of
climate change)s a lot more manageable) and not overused, in which case it
might be difficult to find anything original to add to the existing debates.
Define your audience and choose the venue for your op-ed/editorial/opinion
piece: who are you trying to reach, and what would you like them to do as a result
of reading your op-ed/editorial/opinion ? Do you want people to take action or to
change their opinion on the topic? Who are you trying to reach? Is it people who
mostly share your views but might not be aware of some facts, or people who hold
opposite opinions? What newspaper would you like to see your op-ed published
in, and why? You can choose a major newspaper like The New York Times or a
local paper like Your topic and your audience will largely define your
arguments.
Consider different rhetorical strategies we¥ learned so far and look at examples
of op-ed articles. Choose argumentative strategies best suited for your topic, your
audience, and your goals. Do some research: how would you back up your
arguments? What kind of evidence can you use?
Your op-ed/editorial/opinion should have an engaging and informative title.
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”he introductory paragraph should open with a /ok4o get your readers¡ttention. You can cite a recent news story or a new scientific study, tell a
personal story or a dramatic anecdote, use irony or show contradictions in public
opinion, or reference popular culture. You can find some examples of op-ed
openings here (Links to an external site.). Your introduction should also give a
preview of your main claim.
The body of your article should develop your arguments in more detail and
provide evidence for your claims.
The concluding paragraph should connect your claims and urge the readers to
action.
Requirements
Length: Your op-ed article should be within 700 – 1,100 words.
Genre: op-ed article
Audience: readers of the newspaper where your op-ed article might be published; your
classmates, your instructor, and anybody interested in the topic
Research: 0-4 outside sources, popular and/or scholarly
Grading Criteria
Content choices and rhetorical knowledge (op-ed article)
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The op-ed article makes a convincing argument on the chosen topic.
The writer states her/his opinion clearly and urges the audience to take certain
action or to adopt a certain viewpoint.
The writer uses a variety of argumentative strategies to support their position on
the topic. The arguments are well-developed and supported with sufficient
evidence. Outside sources, if used, are credible and accurate.
The rhetorical appeals used are appropriate for the intended audience.
Genre conventions (op-ed article)
”he op-ed article meets the genre conventions including a strong argument
supported by evidence, specific title, an engaging introduction, unified body
paragraphs, a strong conclusion calling for action, and appropriate transitions.
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Word choices and sentence structure are appropriate for the audience and
purpose.
The article is free of distracting spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.

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