Description
An opinion editorial (Op/Ed) is
derived from the fact that these essays appear in the section of a newspaper
reserved for Opinion pieces. Outsiders, that is, people not employed by the
newspaper, generally write opinion pieces. These can be local experts in a
subject area, a local reader—civic or political, or a syndicated columnist.
Keep in mind these are the personal opinions of the writer.
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NUR703 Assignment 4: Opinion Editorial
An opinion editorial (Op/Ed) is derived from the fact that these essays appear in the section of a newspaper
reserved for Opinion pieces. Outsiders, that is, people not employed by the newspaper, generally write opinion
pieces. These can be local experts in a subject area, a local reader—civic or political, or a syndicated
columnist. Keep in mind these are the personal opinions of the writer.
Tips for writing an Opinion Editorial:
These tips and pointers were provided by several national media contacts, including John Timpane,
commentary page editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Andy Mollison of Cox News Service.
• The nature of an opinion/editorial piece requires that it argue something: that something is or is not
so, is or is not worthy, somebody should or should not do something. If you are not arguing any of the
above, an op/ed can also predict the outcome of certain events: what will occur if a political figure
does or does not take action on an issue, etc.
•
Op/eds MUST have a thesis. This sentence is what will be pitched to an editor to convince them to
print your article. If it does not have a thesis, there is no main idea to pitch to the editor.
•
Op/eds are traditionally between 700 and 800 words, but most editors say that the shorter the piece is,
the better. With space at a premium in all national publications, a shorter piece is much more likely to
run.
•
Try to construct a short, compelling introductory sentence. The lead-in should encapsulate the idea of
the piece and instantly engage the reader. Most editors judge introductions by this rule of thumb: the
piece has less than 23 seconds to interest the reader. If your first paragraph does not grab them, they
will not stick around long enough to finish reading the article.
•
A good op/ed will offer proof that supports the opinion of the author. Proof can be introduced in the
form of statistics (with a webpage or other resource where they can be checked), expert testimony
(with the book and page number where they can be found), or personal experience.
Do not be afraid to let your personality show in your article. Remember that your piece is not just words on a
page; people will read the article if they feel they are hearing from a real person they can identify with. Come
up with a good last line. Come to some sort of conclusion, even if the conclusion is that the outcome of an
issue will be uncertain.
Component and the
Recommended Value
Exceeds Standards
Understanding of the
Problem 10 points
Describes the problem
clearly, accurately and
completely in terms of
all key points
Key Aspects:
• The need to create a
policy on healthcare in
response to
Congressional action
• The need to write a
persuasive op-ed piece to
convince the public of
the wisdom of the
policy.
Solution to the problem
is completely consistent
with the scenario as
presented; the
parameters of the
problem have not been
altered and/or facts
“made up” to avoid
grappling with key
aspects of the healthcare
policy.
Meets Standards
Describes the problem
clearly and accurately in
terms of all key points
Solution to the problem
is generally consistent
with the scenario as
presented; the
parameters of the
problem have not been
altered significantly
and/or facts “made up”
to avoid grappling with
key aspects of the
healthcare policy.
Does Not Meet
Standards
Does not describe the
problem clearly or
accurately in terms of
some or all key points
Solution to the problem
is not consistent with the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
problem may have been
altered and/or facts
“made up” to avoid
grappling with key
aspects of the healthcare
policy.
Thesis 10 points
• Your basic argument,
which does not have to
be explicitly stated, but
should be clear and
original. A focused
thesis also makes it
easier for you to keep the
piece within the tight
guidelines usually
required, gauging which
supporting statements or
evidence are most
pertinent to your central
claim.
Describes the thesis
clearly, accurately and
completely in terms of
all key points
Thesis is completely
consistent with the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
thesis have not been
altered and/or facts
“made up” to avoid
grappling with key
aspects of the healthcare
policy.
Describes the thesis
clearly and accurately in
terms of all key points
Thesis is generally
consistent with the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
thesis have not been
altered significantly
and/or facts “made up”
to avoid grappling with
key aspects of
the healthcare policy.
Does not describe the
thesis clearly or
accurately in terms of
some or all key points
Thesis is not consistent
with the scenario as
presented; the
parameters of the thesis
may have been altered
and/or facts “made up”
to avoid grappling with
key aspects of the
healthcare policy.
Evidence 5 points
• The support you use to
back up the claims of
your argument, this can
be drawn from: statistics
(from credible sources,
government reports,
etc.), case studies and
anecdotes, historical or
international precedent,
expert findings, judicial
inquiries, authoritative
texts (peer reviewed
research, etc.), polling
data, personal
interviews, testimonials,
eye witness reports,
other credible and/or
disinterested sources,
personal experience, or
logic.
Describes the evidence
clearly, accurately and
completely in terms of
all key points
Describes the evidence
clearly and accurately in
terms of all key points
Does not describe the
evidence clearly or
accurately in terms of
some or all key points
Evidence supports the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
evidence
have not been altered
and/or facts “made up”
to avoid grappling with
key aspects of the
healthcare policy.
Evidence is generally
consistent with the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
evidence have not been
altered significantly
and/or facts “made up”
to avoid grappling with
key aspects of
the healthcare policy.
Writing is highly
persuasive; it defends
the policy with precise
and relevant evidence
Writing is generally
persuasive; it defends
the policy with relevant
evidence
Writing is not
persuasive; it does not
defend the policy with
relevant evidence
Writing is in the proper
Op-Ed piece style; uses
non-technical language;
Writing is in the proper
Op-Ed piece style; uses
non-technical language;
Writing is not in the
proper Op-Ed piece
Evidence is not
consistent with the
scenario as
presented; the
parameters of the
problem may have been
altered and/or facts
“made up” to avoid
grappling with key
aspects of the healthcare
policy.
Quality of Writing 15
points
• Many of the writing
mistakes that professors
allowed at the
undergraduate level are
not tolerated at the
graduate level.
• Graduate level writing
is free of grammatical
errors, concise, and
clear.
• Graduate level writing
demands increased
scholarship to support
your points adequately
from the academic and
professional literature.
tone is entirely
appropriate to the
audience
tone is generally
appropriate to the
audience
Writing is free of
significant errors in
mechanics and grammar;
ideas are well
organized and clearly
understandable.
Writing has few
significant errors in
mechanics and grammar;
ideas are for the most
part organized and
understandable.
style; may use technical
language; tone
is not appropriate to the
audience
Writing has several
significant errors in
mechanics and grammar;
ideas are not clearly
organized and/or
understandable.
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