How to write an op-ed that gets published

An op-ed, or opinion piece, is an article that argues a case under the name of someone outside the newspaper's staff. For NGOs, UN agencies, ministries and companies, it is one of the few places where an expert can make a full argument in their own words, without a journalist choosing which quote to use.

The Harvard Kennedy School Communications Program describes the form simply: an op-ed is typically short, it has a clearly defined point, and every successful piece has a clearly defined topic and theme.¹ That is the main thing to understand about how to write an op-ed. It is not a summary of your organisation's work or a press release with a byline. It is an argument.

Editors publish opinion pieces that feel timely. The OpEd Project, which trains experts to write for the opinion pages, describes the lede as what sets the scene and grabs the reader's attention, ideally tied to a news hook.² McGill University's communications team advises tying the piece to a strong news peg and, where possible, submitting several days before the event.³

Look at the calendar: international days, budget statements, policy consultations, report launches and conferences all create moments when an editor needs informed opinion. Then write your argument in one sentence. McGill advises focusing tightly on one idea or argument and stating the main point high up in the piece, along with why readers should care.³ If your sentence contains the word "and" twice, you probably have two op-eds.

There is no single correct format, and The OpEd Project stresses that its suggested structure is not a rule.² It is, however, a reliable starting point:²

• Lede: set the scene and connect to the news.
• Argument: state your claim, explicitly or implicitly.
• Points: two or three, each backed by evidence.
• "To be sure": acknowledge weaknesses in your argument before critics do.
• Conclusion: often circles back to the lede.

The Harvard Kennedy School guide calls the first line crucial and suggests opening with a strong claim, a surprising fact, a metaphor, a mystery or a counter-intuitive observation.¹ A good ending, it adds, contains a final insight or calls the reader to action.¹ For organisations, the call to action is often the reason for writing: a policy change, a funding decision, a shift in practice.

Between the two, every paragraph should earn its place. In our own practice, we cut any paragraph that describes the organisation rather than advancing the argument. Readers trust an author more when the piece is about the problem, not about the author.

Opinion pages are read by the public, not by specialists. McGill advises steering clear of academic jargon and technical terms, because readers who struggle to follow will stop reading.³ Replace acronyms with plain words, explain any figure you use and give one concrete example for every abstract claim.

Facts still matter. The New York Times asks guest essayists to include sources for key assertions, in hyperlinks or in parentheses, and requires an annotated copy listing a source for each factual claim if the essay is accepted; facts that cannot be verified are not published.⁴ Keep a sourced version of your draft from the start and you will be ready for any outlet's checks.

Who signs the piece shapes whether it is published. The New York Times asks writers to explain the professional or personal background that connects them to the argument.⁴ A country director, a researcher or a community health worker often carries more weight than a chief executive with no direct experience of the issue.

Coordinate inside your organisation and with partners. Guidance from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that a newspaper usually will not run multiple op-eds on the same subject, so plan who will write.⁵ It also advises including a job title only if it is relevant and the employer allows it.⁵ Communications teams often help draft, but the named author must genuinely hold the view, review every line and be ready to stand behind it.

Check each outlet's own rules, because length varies. The Harvard Kennedy School gives a typical length of 750 to 800 words, McGill suggests 650 to 750, and The New York Times says its guest essays typically run from 800 to 1,200 words.¹³⁴ The Harvard Chan guidance suggests 600 words or fewer and advises pasting the text into the body of the email rather than attaching it.⁵ Include a short statement of the author's credentials and contact details.³

Exclusivity is the rule. McGill says submissions need to be exclusive to one outlet, and The OpEd Project notes that most national newspapers will not consider a piece sent to more than one paper at the same time.²³ The New York Times says writers who have not heard back within three business days may submit elsewhere.⁴ For time-sensitive pieces, The OpEd Project suggests checking in within 24 to 48 hours, and advises having a plan B, C and D ready and treating rejection as information.²

• A news hook or upcoming moment identified
• The argument written in one sentence
• Lede, argument, supported points, counter-argument and conclusion
• No jargon, acronyms explained, one example per claim
• Sources noted for every key fact
• Author with direct experience, who has approved every line
• Length and format checked against the outlet's guidelines
• Sent to one outlet only, with a follow-up date set