Guidelines for Writing OpEd Articles

If you're a faculty expert or other member of the Montclair State community with an interesting opinion, an op-ed article can reach many readers, help reshape a public debate, and affect policy. It can also bring considerable recognition for less effort than it takes to write a professional monograph or journal article. Effective op-ed articles reflect well on both the author and the University.

University Communications can guide you on how to craft and submit an article. You should:

• Track the news and jump at opportunities
• Limit the article to 750 words
• Make a single point - well
• Put your main point on top
• Tell readers why they should care
• Offer specific recommendations
• Use vivid examples to bring your argument to life
• Keep sentences and paragraphs short
• Don't be afraid of taking a first-person point of view
• Avoid jargon
• Use the active voice
• Avoid dry, tedious rebuttals
• Finish with a strong ending