An opinion piece is an opportunity to bring your research to a wider audience and broaden your influence as a scientist. The process of writing one is also a great way to learn how to make complex ideas more accessible, and will strengthen your overall writing skills.
A well-written opinion piece can have a significant impact, particularly when aimed at a newspaper’s general readership or a policymaker. As a result, it’s important to consider carefully how you want the audience for your article to react, and to ensure that you have a compelling argument.
To grab the attention of your audience, you might start your piece with an anecdote or a loosely connected lead that supports your central point. You can also reach your audience through a narrative journey, by taking readers through the experiences that led you to your opinion. In addition to adding a personal touch, this type of approach is effective when your opinion concerns something with which the reader may already have an emotional connection.
A successful opinion piece will be clear and concise, avoiding jargon. It should address a topic of interest to your audience, and be relevant to current news. It should also provide new insights into existing issues or, in the case of an op-ed, advocate for a specific action or change. Lastly, it should have a strong call to action that sets out what you want the reader to do as a result of reading your opinion.
About the Author
