{"id":188,"date":"2021-09-25T12:39:59","date_gmt":"2021-09-25T16:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.smith.edu\/publicdiscourse\/?p=188"},"modified":"2025-10-09T12:21:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T16:21:42","slug":"op-ed-toolbox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.smith.edu\/publicdiscourse\/op-ed-toolbox\/","title":{"rendered":"FRANCINE KIEFER’S OP-ED TOOLBOX"},"content":{"rendered":"

Veteran journalist <\/span>Francine Kiefer<\/span><\/a> has visited Smith to lead op-ed workshops for students. She generously provided the following guidance to writing a strong op-ed or persuasive personal essay.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The Topic<\/b><\/b>Choose a subject that is fresh, offers new insight, or makes a new argument \u2013 in other words, stand out from the crowd.<\/span><\/span>\n

    Stick to one main point, but thoroughly explore it.<\/span><\/li>\n

  2. \u00a0The Formula<\/b><\/b>The hook, or lead<\/span><\/i>. This is the first paragraph that \u201chooks\u201d readers by grabbing their attention. It is usually related to the news. It can be a startling statistic, a contrary or unexpected statement, a very short anecdote, a provocative question, an interesting quote, a relevant bit of history. There are lots of ways to fashion a hook \u2013 but make it short and enticing<\/span><\/span>\n

    The nut graph<\/span><\/i>. In academic writing, this is called the thesis. In journalism, we call it the nut paragraph because it\u2019s the core idea from which everything else grows. In this paragraph, state your main point clearly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The diagnosis<\/span><\/i>. Most op-eds are trying to address a problem and then offer solutions. This is where you summarize what the problem is and provide whatever background is necessary to understanding the issue.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The prescription<\/span><\/i>. This is the guts of the op-ed. It is made up of several paragraphs in which you offer solutions, or, if you are arguing for or against something, it\u2019s where you make your argument and offer your evidence (three pieces of evidence make for a strong op-ed and are a good rule-of-thumb for how much evidence to mention).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Sure, but<\/span><\/i>. This is where you acknowledge and counter your opponent\u2019s argument, which is necessary to give your piece credibility. A \u201csure, but\u201d sentence might read like this: \u201cSure, the juvenile crime rate has declined in the last decade, but there\u2019s no evidence that trying youths as adults is the reason why.\u201d Sometimes, this information comes closer to the top of an op-ed, where it can be used to kick off your counter arguments.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Conclusion<\/span><\/i>. Reinforce your nut graph in a concise, forceful way.<\/span><\/p>\n

    There are other ways to organize an op-ed, one being point-counterpoint \u2013 a series of rebuttals. But the above formula is the most common. Stick to it, and you can\u2019t go wrong.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n

  3. DOs<\/b><\/b>Do lead with your strongest idea<\/span><\/span>\n

    Do be provocative; surprise readers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Do use detail and specifics<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Do be solution-oriented<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Do recommend solutions that policymakers can actually implement<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Do double check facts<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Do be gracious about edits<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Do check for news before submitting<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Do send a thank-you for having an op-ed printed<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n

  4. DON\u2019Ts<\/b><\/b>Don\u2019t address only fellow experts<\/span><\/span>\n

    Don\u2019t bore readers with jargon and long-winded context<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t attack individuals, attack behavior<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t become predictable<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t use clich\u00e9s<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t write only about one topic<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t assume a tone of arrogance, whining, or browbeating. Persuade.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t preach to the choir, to all those who will agree with you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    PERSONAL ESSAY TOOLBOX<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The Topic<\/b><\/b>A personal op-ed is about an individual experience that has universal meaning. In your head, you should be thinking: This op-ed is about (Mountain Day; my first credit card; my senior recital), but it\u2019s really about (the unexpected; self-control; perseverance).\n

      <\/span>Like a policy op-ed, personal op-eds must be fresh and current feeling. They should relate to the news, current culture, and issues. If they don\u2019t relate to those things, they should at least offer fresh insight.<\/span><\/li>\n

    2. The Formula<\/b><\/b>You can structure it like a policy op-ed: hook, nut graph, diagnosis or background, \u201csure, but,\u201d and conclusion (with essay, it\u2019s usually a concluding insight).<\/span><\/span>\n

      If it\u2019s a story, it might lend itself more to a narrative form: This happened, then that happened. If that\u2019s the case, proceed in chronological order, and let the chronology carry you to your conclusion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      You can also combine the two approaches, with statements and opinion woven in between bits of narrative.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n

    3. DOs<\/b><\/b>Show, don\u2019t tell<\/span><\/i>. Use details \u2013 sounds, smells, sights, dialogue, story, events \u2013 to convey emotion, feelings, opinions. (In journalese, we call detail \u201ccolor.\u201d) Simply tell the story of what happened, and let the reader experience the emotion, just as you did.<\/span><\/span>\n

      Use examples<\/span><\/i>. Instead of saying you don\u2019t like something, or you like something, use examples as to why not or why \u2013 give your opinion a foundation to stand on.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      Tell the truth<\/span><\/i>. It\u2019s tempting to exaggerate in a personal essay, or to adjust events or dialogue just a little to make your case. Don\u2019t listen to this temptation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      Practice good-writing basics<\/span><\/i>. Use active verbs and avoid the passive voice; write simply and clearly, not in long or clunky sentences; make sure your piece has an identifiable beginning, middle, and end.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      Be sensitive about others<\/span><\/i>. Many personal essays are about people you know and love \u2013 family members, friends, work colleagues. Think about how they might feel if they suddenly saw your piece on the web, or had it e-mailed to them. In some cases, you might want to get permission to use them as a subject or you might want to talk about your piece in advance with them. It\u2019s a judgment call, but an important one.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      Add context<\/span><\/i>. Yes, it\u2019s an individual experience, but what\u2019s the national or regional context relating to your experience? (Example: You are an adopted Chinese baby writing about coming of age\u2026 how many Chinese babies have Americans adopted?)\u00a0 This helps to show the universality of your individual experience.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      If you can use humor, do it<\/span><\/i>. Humor can help break tension, provide a light moment when you\u2019re dealing with a heavy subject, or add a self-deprecating tone that shows you\u2019ve got a little humility! But humor is hard (I\u2019m not very good at it.)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n

    4. DON\u2019Ts<\/b><\/b>Don\u2019t fall in love with yourself. Be sparing with the personal pronoun \u201cI.\u201d Too much self ruins a good story. It becomes about you, instead of the message.<\/span><\/span>\n

      Don\u2019t try to dazzle, just tell your story as clearly as you can. It\u2019s tempting to write with a flourish in an essay. Like too much \u201cI,\u201d too much dazzle hides your message.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      Don\u2019t be smarmy, It\u2019s easy to get sappy and sentimental. The best writers look at their own lives with a dry eye at least part of the time. They don\u2019t wallow in the joy or the poignancy of the moment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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