Opinion Editorial

1. "Make sure the facts are right, and be prepared to back them up. Accuracy is as important to opinion pieces as it is to news reporting, and even minor errors will undermine confidence in the broader point you want to make. Do not work from memory — if you make a statement of fact in the text, you should be able to supply your source. Our editors will ask you for it.
2. The more complex the thought, the shorter the sentence. It is good to mix up sentence length, but especially when you are making a sophisticated or complicated point, do not overtax readers’ powers of concentration. Many sentences benefit from the simple act of splitting them in two.
3. Must this be in question form? Or is the question a lazy device for making an insinuation without really owning it, or failing to completely think through what you are trying to say? There are no doubt times when raising questions is an effective technique; sometimes, it is just easier to plunk that question mark at the end. Before you do, ask yourself.
4. Numbers are powerful, in limited number. They should be in the column to drive home the point to readers, not to drive them away or make their eyes glaze over. Make readers’ numeric lives easier by not comparing apples and oranges, or maybe even different kinds of apples. For example, do not combine percentages with raw numbers. It is asking readers to do a calculation that slows them down, distracts them and risks losing them. Be careful about not overloading the reader with too many numbers. If you have one sentence using numbers to underscore/prove your point, do you need the second one to make that same point?
5. Be clear about your reasoning and thinking. Remember, you have already thought your argument through; readers have not. The point and linkages you are making may seem obvious to you, but you are probably a few steps ahead of the reader. Slow down and let them catch up.
6. Speaking of which, no jargon. It hurts readers’ heads, and that makes them stop reading. Instead of the word “remuneration,” for example, just say “payment.”
7. Try not to zigzag too much by anticipating multiple reasons the fundamental argument is not correct before getting to the fundamental argument. It is good to acknowledge counterarguments, but serial second-guessing of the basic point is distracting."

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/op-ed-writing-guide-washington-post-examples/

Ready to talk with a consultant about your opinion editorial? Consider bringing these questions to your consultation:

1. Have I clearly expressed my opinion (argument, thesis, etc.)?
2. How effectively does my evidence justify my opinion (argument, thesis, etc.)?
3. Where do I need more evidence? Can you follow my logic?
4. What might my audience think about my tone? Is it appropriate for my purposes?
5. Have I avoided a soapbox?