Op-eds are a powerful tool to make your voice heard in support of the call for No Tolerance for Antisemitism and the protection of Jewish members of the campus community. Whether you are writing in a campus newspaper or a larger publication, you have an opportunity to share your perspective and make a forceful argument against antisemitism.
Tips & Tricks for Writing an Op-Ed While on Campus
What is an op-ed?
An op-ed is an essay published by a news outlet, either online or in print. Longer than a letter to the editor, an op-ed is usually between 600 and 900 words in length depending on the publication.
It is usually tied to a newsworthy event or moment, laying out a specific problem or is designed to call attention to an underreported narrative, usually written by an expert in the field. Most importantly, an op-ed will include a call to action, where the author will advocate for a solution to the problem as they laid it out in the essay.
Keep in mind – an op-ed is not an article. It should be written from your point of view, in first person, making your argument, and using facts and data to back up your point. An op-ed should not be written as if you are a reporter breaking a news story.
What makes for a good Op-Ed?
- A catchy hook that immediately grabs the reader’s attention
- Personal and conversational style — not too verbose
- An issue that affects your daily life and/or community
- Having credibility on the subject and/or being a practitioner, expert or leader
- An original opinion that adds to the conversation or challenges the status quo
- A sharp point of view on a current issue or something newsworthy
- A counterpoint or rebuttal to a recent published op-ed
- A clear call to action or ask
How to write an Op-Ed
- Gather relevant data, proof points and facts to support your argument. See here for useful data that can be leveraged.
- Start with your main point and tell a story. Make sure to include personal experiences and anecdotes to bring the data points to life.
- Conclude with a clear call to action or ask. What is the solution to the problem as you laid it out?
- At the end of your op-ed, include a byline: one sentence stating who you are and what your current position is (Student at X University, Parent of a College Student, ADL Volunteer, etc.)
Best practices when writing Op-Eds
- Use plain language. To appeal to a general audience, it’s imperative that opinion pieces are written with clear language without the use of specific jargon. This way, more people can understand your article and focus on the call to action.
- Use facts from this resource. By following our framework, your op-ed will be unified with others across the country. This helps readers to clearly understand the focus of the op-ed, without any confusion about what is being addressed.
- Provide data from credible sources. By providing data from reliable sources, the op-ed will become more elevated and reliable. Even though this is an opinion piece, readers want to understand the reason for your perspective. We have plenty of resources, including trackers and surveys, that you can reference in your piece.
- Emphasize equity. The fight against antisemitism should never pit the Jewish community against any other community. In your piece, remember that our mission is to protect Jewish students, faculty, and staff just as we wish for all students, faculty, and staff on campus to feel protected. There should not be any competition, only solidarity and advocacy.
- Include a call to action. It is vital that your op-ed calls for the school administration to act, commit to no tolerance to antisemitism, and review the codes of conduct. Without a call to action, the message of your piece could be lost.
How to publish an op-ed
- Which publications will help you reach your audience? (ex. Student newspaper, campus alumni magazine, local newspaper or website, or self-blogging site such as Medium).
- Follow your target publication’s submission protocols, which are usually listed online (ex. Online form, generic e-mail address, or individual contact). In addition to the protocol, you can also send the op-ed directly to the opinion editor with a note explaining who you are, why you’re submitting the piece and your contact information.
- Give the publication at least 72 hours to review your submission. Only follow up once you have given the publication enough time to review. If they seem hesitant or are not getting back to you in a timely manner, pitch somewhere else.
- If your op-ed is accepted for publication, the editor(s) may suggest edits. Be flexible and open to changes, but do not let them turn your op-ed into something that does not reflect your core views and values. Hold your ground!
- When published, spread the word about your piece, especially by sharing on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X or other social media platforms.
Find examples of op-eds from Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League in CNN and Time Magazine.