policyoptions.irpp.

org

HOW TO WRITE AN OP-ED

December 5, 2017
Sponsored by / commandit par

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Why write an Op-Ed?

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 Influence the conversation / thought leadership
Provoke debate
Control the message
Expose unintended consequences
Promote research
Expand network/find new potential collaborators
Bring diversity of viewpoints
Promote personal/institutional profile
More media attention

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 WHEN TO WRITE
Topic is hot
Something new to share (released report,
research findings)
Anniversaries/national days
In advance of an event (curtain raiser)
Event post-mortem
Slow news times
Not time sensitive.good for the can

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 GETTING STARTED

Core premise?

Intended audience?

Length?

Publishers style?

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STRUCTURE!

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 INTRODUCTION/LEAD

NUTS AND BOLTS

FIRST POINT SUPPORTING THE PREMISE

SECOND POINT SUPPORTING THE PREMISE

(and so on)

RECOMMENDATIONS/SOLUTIONS (optional)

CONCLUSION

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 INTRODUCTION/LEAD

Hook the reader!

Whats this about? (Dont bury the lead)
Can be in form of anecdote, quote,
controversial/bald statement
Avoid formal presentations (In this essay.)
Avoid date/time openings (On Dec. 5, in
Montreal)

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 NUTS AND BOLTS

Why should the reader care about this issue?

Why are you writing about this right now?

Historical/statistical context for the piece

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 MAIN POINTS

- One thought/idea/point per section,

supported by evidence. Relates back to
premise!

- Each section has beginning and end

- Look for a logical flow of points

- Propose recommendations/solutions to
the issue in question

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 CONCLUSION
Can be short

Echo of the introduction

Cast forward into the future

A deeper reflection

What is the next step?

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THE WRITING.

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Plain language
Avoid academic, industry jargon
Short paras, short sentences
Read it out loud
Dont be afraid of the first person
Put up signposts (ie. Why is this
important?)
Forget about perfection

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 GETTING PUBLISHED
Be open to editing

Suggest headlines, but

Bio and photo?

Embrace hyperlinks

Social media savvy

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 RECOMMENDED READS/LISTENS
CBC interview with cognitive scientist Stephen Pinker on writing clearly.

The Evidence Networks tools for writing a snappy Op-Ed.

Examples of Op-Eds:
Fenwick McKelvey & Elizabeth Dubois, Toward the response use of bots in
politics. Policy Options

Scott McLeod, Despite the fanfare, the medical benefits of marijuana remain
experimental for many conditions. Evidence Network.

Rachel Curran, Handling the public policy hot potatoes. Policy Options.

Jennifer Zwicker and Stephanie Dunn, The most recent data on Canadian
children with disabilities is almost a decade old. Evidence Network.

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THANK YOU!

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