What is the difference between op ed and editorial

You may have written for them for a long time and are familiar with their opinions—it still helps to be sure that you understand their goals and thoughts on the issues, as opinions and outlooks can change over time. When you are given someone else's opinion to write about, it can be difficult to agree with it. One problem ghostwriters have is not agreeing with a topic they are writing about which can cause problems writing an effective piece.

You want to assume an adopting role of the opinion until the work is finished, which can allow you to write better for the entity you are creating content for. Know what the desired effect of the op-ed is—whether it be a call to action, or a call for further thought.

This will give you an idea of how you can sway or reinforce the reader's thoughts on the topic. Your reader is going to make a decision within the first few sentences whether or not the piece is worth reading.

It's a good idea to start by introducing the issue along with a story that personalizes it. Be brief and make sure the hook is relevant to the issue. For example, if you have witnessed a violent crime, and the op-ed supports measures to reduce crimes, you could briefly tell a story about it to make it relatable. Be familiar with the audience —think of who reads the medium the article will be published on, and who reads about the issue you're addressing. This might assist you in making decisions about the kinds of words you use e.

Avoid industry-speak and jargon to reduce topic confusion and audience limitation. Explain concepts to broaden the understanding for readers that are not industry experts. Opinions need evidence and support. Generally, data and statistics are used to reinforce the points being made. Historical facts and figures can be used to help bolster the case being made as well. It's important to follow the style guidelines and word count given by the publication the piece is going to be published in.

This reduces the amount of editing that may be needed to get the article up to par and reduces the time spent going back and forth between you, your client, and their publisher. If you are responding to a specific newspaper article or editorial, reference it by date and title. Most papers prefer printing opinion articles written by a local authority or community leader. Do not send the same letter to two competing papers in the same circulation area or many copies of an identical letter to a single paper.

Encourage your state legislature to pass stronger equal pay legislation! Tell your senators and representatives in Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. Have some fresh eyes review it for the requirements above. Make your writing concise, clear, and conversational. It is vital to call the paper after an op-ed is submitted to verify that the opinion page editor received your e-mail and to pitch your topic in order to increase interest.

With larger papers, you might want to wait a day after submitting. With smaller papers, you can call within a couple hours. For more on developing your contact list and pitching, read our guide for working with the media. LTEs do not require a follow-up. The pay gap is even worse for most women of color who have to work even longer for their salaries to catch up.

As a member of the American Association of University Women, I have worked tirelessly to urge legislative action to close the gender pay gap once and for all. In [state], women face a pay gap of [ insert amount ] cents, which translates into less money for feeding families, paying off student loans, and saving for retirement. Passing a federal law like the Paycheck Fairness Act would help protect everyone in all states.

But until that happens, each state will continue operating under antiquated regulations and piecemeal state and local laws to combat unequal pay. As we wait for Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, [state] AAUW members, including myself, will continue to urge the state legislature to make improvements to [state] equal pay laws so that fair pay is an accessible reality for everyone.

I encourage all [what state residents are called, e. Title IX is about more than sports for girls — it prohibits all sex discrimination in U. The U. We wanted to ensure that our local schools have designated Title IX coordinators who have the resources they need to enforce this critical civil rights law. The AAUW [branch name] encourages parents, students, and community members to learn more about Title IX and to contact their schools to ensure that Title IX coordinators are identified and have the resources they need to address sex discrimination in our schools.

Cookie Notice This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. I Accept Privacy Policy. Advocacy Toolkit. An op-ed, which stands for opposite the editorial page, generally gives a bit more space than a letter to the editor.

However, many newspapers accept op-ed submissions from their readers. A letter to the editor is typically shorter than an op-ed. Letters to the editor have a longer history behind them. Both options are good if you want to express your opinion on a popular subject or want others to see you as a thought-leader on a particular topic.

Writing op-eds and letters to the editor that get published is challenging. Macey Wilson is a senior at the University of Florida majoring in public relations and minoring in theatre. She will also be the director of special events for Florida Players, a student-run theater company. Follow her on Twitter MaceyPWilson. Topics: public relations. Accessibility statement. By Macey Wilson September 5,