Want to write an Op-Ed about your research? Avoid these 8 common mistakes
“Op-Eds are not essays. They’re not objective analysis that weighs multiple sides of an issue. And they’re definitely not boilerplate.”
Op-Eds are one of the single most powerful tools for translating research into real-world impact.
Conceptually, they’re quite simple: Pick an argument, make sure it’s interesting and timely, gather the most compelling evidence you’ve got to support it, and write it up in about 750 words.
Ok they’re a little more complicated than that–but not much, to be honest. That said, there are missteps that people in the scientific community commonly make when they set out to write an Op-Ed. Avoiding them will vastly improve your chances of getting your Op-Ed published.
Here are 8 to look out for straight away:
Don’t overload the Op-Ed with your own research findings. In fact, don’t overload it with findings at all. All Op-Eds lay out an argument supported by evidence–but the aim is to curate that evidence. Draw from a variety of sources: your research, other people’s research, your personal/professional experience, surveys, opinions from other experts in your field.
Don’t treat the Op-Ed like an announcement for your research. The Op-Ed is to make an argument that gets people to think differently about an issue. Don’t just describe what you’ve found in your research–directly apply your findings to the argument you’re making.
Don’t offer up a series of viewpoints and opinions. Focus on a single argument. This is a hard rule. You have to pick a side of one argument and advance that argument.
Don’t flout word limitations. They should in most cases run 650 to 800 words. This can be dependent on the publication. But, overall, the simpler you make your point, in terms of language and structuring, the easier it will be for you to find suitable publications.
Don’t try to publish an Op-Ed without tying it to current events. Stay abreast of the news cycle. If you have an expert take on something unfolding in the news, write it up quickly and start submitting. As one of our writing partners summed it up beautifully recently: a “B” draft today is worth more than an “A” draft next week.
Don’t forget to be human. You’re not just making an argument to be right. You’re making it because you care about the issue you’re writing about. Share your personal connection to the issue in your article–and make it clear how your personal experience lends evidence to the argument you’re making.
Don’t ignore opposing arguments. In fact, think about what the counter-argument is, and state it plainly. Then tell readers why that argument is wrong.
Don’t use jargon or overly complex language. With Op-Eds you’re writing for a general audience. It needs to be readable, accessible, and engaging.
Writing Op-Eds isn’t necessarily easy, but they do involve a formula that you can quickly learn and start to apply. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll vastly improve your chances of success.
Featured image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay.
