How to Structure and Pitch an Op-Ed, in 6 Steps

If you have a strong opinion about current events in your community, knowing how to write an editorial essay can help you land more media coverage. Editorial writing is when someone submits an opinion-based article to a newspaper or other media outlet. Good editorials are measured and fair, but they also persuade readers and raise awareness on issues of mainstream importance. Editorials are usually formatted as first-person essays. More importantly, editorials are one of the best ways to <a href="https://nickwolny.com/how-to-pitch-an-article" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">land a byline</a> or full article with a major media publication. In this article, we’ll touch on what an editorial piece actually is, along with format examples to help you organize your thoughts while brainstorming ideas. ➡️ Related: If you like to write, consider downloading my free Article Template Toolkit, now available as a Notion template. <a href="https://nickwolny.com/att" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Get it here.</a> <h1>What Is Editorial Writing?</h1> Every strong editorial has, at its core, a thought-provoking statement or call to action. The opinion-editorial section is sometimes abbreviated as “op-ed.” Editorials perform very well online. These days, readers don’t always want information alone. They also want interpretation or analysis, whether that be through a newspaper article, a thesis statement, a newsletter, or an opinionated news story. Editorials are powerful, but they are also often biased. Many media outlets bring in opinion columnists to offer unique perspectives on a regular basis. Here’s a screenshot from <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/?reload=true&itid=force_refresh&_=1677856826485" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">The Washington Post’s opinion page</a>; the paper has over 80 opinion columnists, who write regularly about topics like policy, health, and climate change. <a href="https://writingcooperative.com/how-to-structure-and-pitch-an-op-ed-in-6-steps-b92717a2203f">Click Here</a>