Ibrahim B Anoba The Art of Oped Writing
Ibrahim B. Anoba The Art of Op-ed Writing SFL LIBERTY WRITERS WORKSHOP Federal School of Statistics, Ibadan August 17, 2017 Email: Tunde. anoba@gmail. com @Ibrahim_Anoba
Sub Topics 1. What is an op-ed and why is it different? 2. The relevance of op-ed writing 3. Op-ed construction 4. Op-ed best practices 5. The pitching process: why is it important? 6. Ideas for finding your news hook
1. What is an op-ed and why is it different? Definition An opinion piece to garner publicity to self or organization on a policy position often to sway public opinion about an issue. • Personal opinion piece • Mostly in response to public issue, report or editorial • From the writer’s niche/expertise o o Shorter More technical Must critique Must proffer solutions/alternatives ü Establishes your punditry ü Boost your personal analysis ü Always a plus to the resume
2. Relevance of writing an op-ed • A personal/ ideological perception to a current issue • Give alternatives for policy and public official • Tonics your resume • Make you a known voice • The perfect shot to become a journalist or OAP
3. Op-ed construction
• Introduction o News hook: Why should I read about this now? o Brief recap of situation: What is going on? o Thesis: What should I think about this situation? Topic: Nigeria’s Experiment With Welfarism Threatens Its Economic Future The Nigerian government recently launched the Social Investment Programme (SIP), a welfare scheme aimed at alleviating poverty. Through SIP, the government plans to feed 3. 5 million schoolchildren, create jobs and offer loans to 1. 6 million Nigerians. The program’s framework might seem noble and appealing, but its dependence on borrowing makes poverty eradication doubtful while increasing the country’s debt profile and general interest rate. ü ü News hook Op-ed summarized What’s happening Why should the reader care?
• Three main points o Point one: Support with evidence and form conclusion o Point two: Support with evidence and form conclusion o Point three: Support with evidence and form conclusion First, current levels of poverty in Nigeria are linked to debt incurred in the 1980 s and 1990 s. This debt has hindered each successive administration’s ability to spend on development projects to reduce poverty. Thus, borrowing to fund SIP will inflate the country’s already high debt profile, and negatively influence individual financial security as average income decreases while tax increases. These changes in financial strength will consequently affect savings and investment, which are prerequisites for poverty reduction. ü ü Clear point Evidence Brief conclusion Would the reader continue?
• Conclusion o Restate thesis o Refer back to introduction o Call to action … because SIP was instrumental to its victory in the last election does not make it the best choice for the economic health of the country’s citizens. The government must thoroughly consider the grave consequences that will come with this welfare scheme. The majority of Nigerians are poor and they have the right to pursue a more prosperous and dignified life. However, if the structure designed to pull people out of poverty will lead to further impoverishment, it is a risk not worth taking. N. B: Include a two sentence bio ü Restate thesis? ü Brought back the intro? ü Appealed for action?
4. Op-ed best practices Good ü Be succinct ü 500 - 800 words ü Little sentences but concise Bad Ҳ Excessive preposition Ҳ Irrelevant conjunction Ҳ Over identification i. e. , Libertarian ü Few preposition ü Avoid passive voice Avoid ü Do not end with preposition § Racism ü Define all abbreviations § Xenophobia ü Spell check § Homophobia & Sexism § Conspiracy Theories
5. Pitching • Know an outlet(s) that align with your niche • Read their submission guidelines • Email the editor a docx. file or Google doc link o Be professional an concise o Start with a sentence (or 2) introducing yourself o Include the topic (in bold) o Include a 2 sentence summary o Include an headshot o Include a short bio (3 sentence max. ) o Include your phone number
• Wait for the editors response (response are within 24 hrs but may stretch till 3 working days) • Follow the edit suggestions or requests of the editor o If there is no response after 48 hrs, serve a reminder • Thank the editor after publishing and tell him/her you may send more in the future • Share on your social media accounts
6. Ideas for finding your news hook ● Provide a twist on trending news. o Find a hot topic in the media and add a personal story, a surprising survey result, or the contrarian view. ● Nationalize a local story. o Scan local news for hometown stories with national relevance. ● Be a contrarian. o Publications want “both sides of the story. ” ● Personalize big data. ü Find your news ü Watch the news ü Google alert ü Read other op-ed for loopholes
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