• How to Write an Op-Ed
• How to Write and Submit an Op-Ed

Places to Submit Op-Eds

• The Op-Ed Project: Submission Information for 126 Top Online and Print Publications in the United States
• The Academic Minute: Submission Guidelines
• The Conversation: Submission Guidelines, Further Information about The Conversation

Examples of Op-Eds 

• "Caring, Romantic American Boys" by Amy Schalet, April 6, 2012
• "What Causes Girls to Enter Puberty Early" by Louise Greenspan and Julianna Deardorff, February 5, 2015 

Tips from the New York Times

• "Tips for Aspiring Op Ed Writers" by Bret Stephens, August 25, 2017

​Tips from PEP's Op-Ed Panel  

• Consult the The Op-Ed Project, an excellent resource on writing an submitting op-eds
• Write in a jargon-free manner, and use teaching skills for non-academic audiences.
• Check on the space limit (typically 600-800 words).
• Be willing to work and rework your piece to get it under the word cut-off.
• It is difficult to place a piece in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, but it is not as difficult in the major regional newspapers, especially with research expertise.
• Submit a cover letter that explains to the editors why your op-ed is worth printing.
• Explain how you contribute to an existing debate.
• One structure that you might follow is the following:

Make one main point.
↓
Provide three examples.
↓
Return to main point.

Additional Tips for Writing and Placing Op-Eds

by Bill McKibben, scholar-in-residence, Environmental Studies Program, Middlebury College

• Keep it current: Be sure your topic is relevant to current news.
• Be straightforward: There’s no room for subtlety in an op-ed piece.
• Keep it short: 600-750 is the word limit; also, use short sentences and short paragraphs, with each one of your paragraphs offering evidence to support your point.
• Make your point: Preferably in the first paragraph.
• Provide answers: Consider the questions readers are likely to have, and answer them.
• Offer anecdotes: Personal stories can help make your point.
• Present Solutions: Wrap up by recommending fixes for problems you identify.
• Get it done while the news is fresh: Give yourself one day only to complete your piece.
• You know best: Use your own area of expertise to hook into the current news topic.
• Different is good: Humorous asides, unexpected perspectives, quirky approaches are welcome.