Opinion pieces tips can transform a casual writer into a published commentator. These articles, often called op-eds or editorials, give writers a platform to share their perspective on issues that matter. But here’s the thing: editors receive hundreds of submissions every week. Most get rejected within seconds.
What separates the published pieces from the slush pile? It’s not luck. Strong opinion writing follows specific patterns. Writers who understand these patterns get their work noticed. They build audiences. They influence conversations.
This guide breaks down the essential opinion pieces tips every writer needs. From choosing the right topic to crafting an authentic voice, these strategies will help any commentary stand out in a crowded media landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Strong opinion pieces state a clear, arguable thesis within the first two paragraphs to hook readers immediately.
- Choose timely topics you actually know about—editors reject random hot takes on unfamiliar subjects.
- Support your opinion with mixed evidence types: statistics, expert quotes, historical examples, and relevant personal experiences.
- Address counterarguments directly to demonstrate intellectual honesty and strengthen your position.
- Develop an authentic voice by reading drafts aloud and cutting unnecessary words for tighter, more impactful writing.
- Target local angles and underrepresented perspectives to stand out from the hundreds of submissions editors receive weekly.
Understand What Makes an Opinion Piece Different
An opinion piece is not a news article. News reports facts. Opinion pieces interpret them.
This distinction matters. A news story about rising housing costs presents statistics and quotes from officials. An opinion piece argues what those numbers mean, and what society should do about them.
Opinion pieces tips often start here: know the format. These articles typically run 600 to 800 words. They appear on editorial pages in newspapers, dedicated sections on news websites, and standalone platforms like Medium.
The structure differs from standard journalism too. Opinion writing puts the argument upfront. Readers should understand the writer’s position within the first two paragraphs. There’s no burying the lead here.
Credibility plays a different role as well. News journalists stay neutral. Opinion writers lean into their expertise or personal experience. A doctor writing about healthcare policy brings authority. A parent writing about school board decisions brings lived perspective. Both approaches work.
One key opinion pieces tip: the best commentary acknowledges opposing views. Weak op-eds ignore counterarguments. Strong ones address them directly, then explain why they fall short.
Choose a Timely and Relevant Topic
Timing drives opinion writing. The best opinion pieces tips emphasize this point repeatedly.
Editors want commentary that connects to current conversations. A piece about election integrity matters more during campaign season. An article about mental health services gains traction after a related news event.
This doesn’t mean chasing every headline. Writers should choose topics they actually know something about. Random hot takes on unfamiliar subjects rarely convince anyone.
Here’s a practical approach: follow three to five issue areas closely. Read the news. Track developments. When something happens in those spaces, writers can respond quickly with informed perspective.
Local angles often get overlooked. National publications receive thousands of submissions on federal policy. But regional outlets hunger for local commentary. How does a national trend affect this specific community? That question opens doors.
Opinion pieces tips also suggest checking what’s already been said. If fifty commentators have made the same argument, editors won’t want another version. Writers need a fresh angle, a new piece of evidence, an underrepresented perspective, or an unexpected conclusion.
The sweet spot? Topics that feel urgent but haven’t been exhausted. Writers who find that balance consistently get published.
Develop a Clear and Arguable Thesis
Every opinion piece needs a thesis. This is the central claim the entire article supports.
Opinion pieces tips stress clarity here. A thesis should fit in one sentence. Readers should be able to repeat it back easily.
Bad thesis: “Education is important and schools should probably get more funding but there are also concerns about how that money gets spent.”
Good thesis: “States should redirect sports stadium subsidies to public school construction.”
The difference? Specificity and arguability. The second version takes a clear position that reasonable people could debate.
Weak theses make vague claims. Strong theses make specific ones. “Climate change is bad” states the obvious. “Carbon taxes work better than cap-and-trade systems” invites genuine discussion.
Opinion pieces tips also warn against false balance. Writers don’t need to present “both sides” as equally valid. If evidence strongly supports one position, the thesis should reflect that confidence.
Place the thesis early. Most opinion writing reveals the main argument by the end of the second paragraph. Some writers state it in the headline. Either approach works, but hiding the thesis until the conclusion frustrates readers.
Once the thesis is set, every paragraph should support it. Tangents weaken arguments. Writers should cut anything that doesn’t directly serve the central claim.
Support Your Opinion With Strong Evidence
Opinions without evidence are just assertions. The best opinion pieces tips emphasize proof.
What counts as evidence? Statistics from credible sources. Expert quotes. Historical examples. Personal experiences (when relevant). Case studies from other communities or countries.
Writers should mix evidence types. A piece about minimum wage policy might include economic data, quotes from affected workers, and examples from cities that raised wages. This variety strengthens arguments.
Opinion pieces tips caution against cherry-picking. Selecting only data that supports a predetermined conclusion undermines credibility. Honest writers acknowledge inconvenient facts, then explain why their position still holds.
Source quality matters enormously. Government data, peer-reviewed studies, and established news organizations carry weight. Random blog posts and partisan think tanks don’t.
Anecdotes work differently than data. They illustrate points and create emotional connection. But they don’t prove trends. A story about one person’s experience shows possibility, not probability. Smart writers use anecdotes alongside statistics, not instead of them.
Opinion pieces tips also recommend anticipating objections. What would critics say? Address those concerns directly. This demonstrates intellectual honesty and strengthens the overall argument.
One practical approach: before writing, list the three strongest counterarguments. Then address each one. This process often reveals weaknesses in the original thesis, and opportunities to sharpen it.
Write With an Authentic and Engaging Voice
Voice separates memorable opinion writing from forgettable commentary. Opinion pieces tips consistently emphasize this element.
Authentic voice sounds like a real person talking. It has rhythm. It has personality. Readers can almost hear the writer speaking.
This doesn’t mean being casual or sloppy. It means avoiding the stiff, corporate tone that plagues so much published writing. Contractions help. So do shorter sentences mixed with longer ones.
Opinion pieces tips suggest reading drafts aloud. If a sentence sounds awkward spoken, rewrite it. The ear catches problems the eye misses.
Engaging voice also means taking risks. Safe, hedge-everything writing bores people. Strong opinion writers commit to their positions. They use active verbs. They make bold claims, then back them up.
Humor works when it fits. A well-placed joke or wry observation can make serious arguments more memorable. But forced humor falls flat. Writers should only include jokes that feel natural to their style.
The opening and closing deserve extra attention. First sentences hook readers or lose them. Final paragraphs leave lasting impressions. Opinion pieces tips recommend drafting multiple versions of both.
Personal disclosure adds credibility when relevant. A writer arguing for better veteran services who served in the military should say so. But personal stakes don’t replace evidence, they complement it.
Finally, opinion pieces tips remind writers to cut ruthlessly. Every unnecessary word weakens the piece. Tight writing demonstrates respect for readers’ time, and makes arguments hit harder.
