So You Want to Publish that Op-Ed

We look for timeliness, ingenuity, strength of argument, freshness of opinion, clear writing and newsworthiness. Personal experiences and first-person narrative can be great, particularly when they’re in service to a larger idea. So is humor, when it’s funny. Does it help to be famous? Not really.
                --David Shipley, The New York Times

If the op-ed template from yesterday’s post were the nail, today’s offering is the hammer. If you’ve got something to say about your college’s innovative approach to helping more students get through developmental education and on to completion, we want to be sure people hear it.

Op-ed refers to the opinion page--that’s Opposite the Editorial page--in most newspapers. It’s a great way to bring attention to an issue that’s important to you, especially when it’s suddenly in the news. It can help reshape public debate and affect policy while bringing attention to your organization.

In the DEI Online Resources section, under “Communications,” you’ll find two documents that can increase your chances of placing that brilliant op-ed:

• “How to Write an Op-Ed” is chock full of tips for writing a great piece and getting it published.
• Once you’ve got your piece ready, check out “Press Pointers” from our ATD communications colleagues for instructions on developing relationships with reporters in your area.

Richard Hart is MDC’s Communications Director.