Writing an opposite editorial (op-ed) article is a great way to expand your portfolio if you are an aspiring writer just starting out. These are the articles on the newspaper page opposite the editorial section. Op-ed articles are written in the same tone as an editorial piece but from an individual reader’s point of view.

You do not have to be associated with the publication or part of its regular staff of columnists and contributors. In fact, editors are always looking for well-written and informative articles from their readers.

Op-ed pieces are great to gain exposure and experience. It is an often-overlooked method for writers to get their foot in the door.

• Local papers must scramble to find new things to print and are often more likely to print an op-ed article from community residents.
• National papers are often flooded with submissions, but they are good ways for writers to become established.
• You can often query the larger publications with your previously published local work as credentials, giving you a better opportunity to be noticed.

Whether or not you have an opinion about current events—political, social, or otherwise—you can write for local or national newspapers. Op-ed pieces allow writers, both amateur and professional alike, to participate in public discourse about the issues that are most important to them. As long as you can intelligently and truthfully present your case, it little matters whether or not you believe what you are writing.

In fact, arguing the opposite side of your opinion is a good way to practice your writing skills.

The best writers are those who keep up with the news and can offer a fresh slant or new approach. Newspapers focus on relevant journalism. Readers do not want to waste their time on articles that are based on outdated and tired arguments. Most editors will not accept them, so it is a waste of his and your time to submit one.

Op-ed editors know what their readers want to read. It is a good idea to read several weeks’ worth of previously published op-ed articles to get a feel for what the editor publishes. If you take the time to consider your audience’s interests carefully, the editor will be more likely to publish your article. Even though you receive no pay for this type of article, having it published looks good on your resume.

There are some basic rules involved with writing or editing an effective opposite editorial article.

• Keep it brief. Newspaper editors generally leave a space big enough for a 700-750 word article. To get their attention, you have to be able to say a lot in that span. You don’t have enough space to cover a multitude of topics. If necessary, break them up into individual articles that you can submit at a later date. In many cases, if you send in an article that is considerably longer, the editor will immediately refuse it. Readers are drawn into newspaper articles because of the honesty of narrative, and simplicity of the argument. Your statements should make them stop and think for a moment that maybe—just maybe—you have a valid point. Stick to one point, and you will have a better chance of seeing that point in print.

• Hook your reader. Give your readers something to think about. The opening sentence needs to capture the reader’s attention and make him want to read more. The easiest hooks are the ones that begin a story, or make a blanket statement that someone might find humorous or intriguing. Don’t drag out your point—do it from the opening lines of your article. You’ll find that this approach always works best in getting the readers (and editor’s) attention.
• Don’t talk down to your reader. Newspapers around the world are generally written for somewhere between an 8th- and 12th-grade reading level. Editors are aware of this, and will choose articles for publication that are clear and powerfully written without a lot of inside terminology and jargon that might elude much of their readership. If your chosen topic requires terminology that the average reader might not know, include a brief definition—either through context or one that is directly stated—to avoid confusion.
• Try the inverted pyramid article. Put the most important details—the “meat” of your article—in the beginning. This usually means getting right to the point you are trying to make. As mentioned earlier, the editor will be concerned about space and word count. If the editor needs to cut your piece to fit and you’ve used the inverted pyramid approach, slicing off part of the end will not affect the overall intent of your article.