Opinion piece articles are a good way to get your research into the public domain. Here are some tips on how to write.
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What is an opinion piece?
An opinion piece is an article, usually around 800-900 words, that presents an opinion and builds an argument for something to be done.
It is NOT a report about research, but an informed opinion about the implications of research for action.
Opinion piece articles are sometimes called Op-ed articles. This means ‘Opposite the Editorial page’ – where opinion pieces usually placed in broadsheet newspapers.
The articles published by The Conversation and Croakey are generally opinion pieces.
Why write an opinion piece article?
Opinion pieces are a good way of getting exposure when your research may not warrant a journalist’s attention as a news story.
They position you as the expert – with an opinion backed by your research.
They are useful for advocacy and to disseminate research to a broad audience.
Finding your argument
Think about the context
While opinion pieces are not news, they are generally newsworthy. That is, they respond to or comment on something that is of general interest at the time.
Before you write:
- Read up on how this issue has been covered in the media recently.
- Think about who you will pitch to – is this the kind of story they cover? Would it work for their audience?
- Do a quick keyword search of their website to see what they have run on this issue before.
- Ask yourself what is new or interesting about what you’re going to write. What will you say that no-one else has said before? What insights might be interesting to the public?
- Ask yourself whether this article matters to a wider audience – and why now?
Work out your key messages
Based on your research and your expertise, what do you believe about this issue? Is there something you want to advocate for? Or an angle on a topic that you would like to impart?
Think about the one thing that this article is trying to say. If someone asked you ‘so what’ – how would you answer in one sentence?
Then think about how you will make that argument. Write down each point, making sure you cover the who, how, why, when and what. Stick to a single theme or argument.
Order the points logically.
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Tip
Practise explaining your position in conversation to someone unfamiliar with your work to help order your thoughts. This can also help to highlight terms and concepts that need further explaining.
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Note
It is fine to go out on a limb. This is supposed to be your opinion. Not every statement needs to be backed up by your research. You are the expert – and your opinion is informed by your years of research, reading, talking to people and generally understanding the subject area. Be firm and make bold statements!
Opinion piece structure
First sentence or paragraph
The purpose of the first sentence/paragraph is to grab the reader’s attention and compel them to read more.
Good opinion pieces often start with a short, sharp statement. Sometimes they might start with a story or human case study. Or they might start with something that is new, relevant or surprising. You can use your own experiences if you like.
Be as compelling as possible. Would you click?
“I remember the first time I turned up to a parkrun in Sydney in 2014, with butterflies in my stomach. A colleague had persuaded me to go along to one of the weekly 5km community runs in open, green spaces – but, even as a regular jogger, I was nervous I would come last.” (From the Prevention Centre).
“The empty shelves in the supermarkets are a stark reminder of the potential of climate change to impact our food supply.” (From Croakey)
“In politics, as in life, there are always colliding truths.
There is no legal reason or historical precedent for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum to be a detailed proposal. The reverse is true. Referendums pose simple questions and parliaments take care of the detail.” (From smh.com.au)
Body of the article
Once you have grabbed the reader’s attention, explain the context. What is this article adding to the debate, and why should readers continue?
Now elaborate on your dot points. Use examples and description to bring colour and interest to what you write.
Put in plenty of statistics and references to research (hyperlinked rather than endnotes) to back up your argument.
Put the most important information higher up as people often don’t finish the whole article.
Make sure there is a call to action – what you would like people to do, how they should act or what should they change as a result of your argument?
Try to link paragraphs (the end of one paragraph leads into the start of the next) so the article reads as a coherent argument.
Final paragraph
The final paragraph is often a call to action, above.
Or it could be a conclusion that provides a summary – referencing the issue you began with – and paints a positive picture of how the world would improve if your advice were followed.
The aim is to leave the reader satisfied that you have answered the issue, and that they know what to do with this information.
“Indeed, maternal obesity is a societal issue that we must all tackle with a shared vision to protect women’s health during pregnancy and the health of their children, our next generation.” (From MJA Insight+)
“We all deserve to live and work in places that intrinsically support, rather than detract from, healthy choices and behaviours, and therefore our health itself.” (From The Conversation)
“These measures to provide sustainable and attractive career opportunities will ensure a pipeline of trained public health researchers – and the prioritisation of public health for the good of all in Australia.” (From Croakey)
Language
Write how you speak. The more conversational, the better.
Use plain English – do not use jargon. Try and simplify every word you use. The Conversation asks authors to write as if speaking to an educated 16 year-old. For other media, that should be a 12 year-old.
Explain complex ideas as you would in a conversation with a non-expert.
Pitching to media
Different media outlets have different requirements for pitches. In general, in your pitch you should:
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Sum up what the article is about in one sentence
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Flesh out your argument in no more than 200 words
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Make sure you explain why this is different and interesting
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Let them know why you are an expert in this area
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Include photos, videos, audio, tables or graphs in your pitch
Examples of opinion pieces
Here are some opinion piece examples for students, researchers and health system professionals who are writing for a policy audience.
- Articles published by The Conversation and Croakey are generally opinion pieces
- A Centre for Disease Prevention and Control – let’s work together to be clear on the problems it must solve, Intouch
- Creating systems of leadership in prevention research, Intouch Public Health
- Systemic approaches needed to address wide-ranging inequities affecting women’s health, Croakey
- What if we had a health star rating to protect the planet?, Croakey
- As symposium spotlights public health workforce concerns, young researchers call for action, Croakey
- Language matters: pregnancy and overweight or obesity, InSight
- Detail isn’t needed to vote on the Voice, but explaining these four things wouldn’t hurt, The Sydney Morning Herald
- Are you living in a food desert? These maps suggest it can make a big difference to your health, The Conversation
Further reading
- How to pitch to The Conversation
- Guidelines and advice for Croakey contributors
More from the CERI User Guide
This chapter of the User Guide is one in a series available from The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre website. It was prepared by members of the Collaboration for Enhanced Research Impact (CERI) Coordinating Group to provide practical tips on knowledge mobilisation and science communication for researchers working in the prevention of chronic disease.
About CERI
The Collaboration for Enhanced Research Impact (CERI) is a joint initiative between the Prevention Centre and several NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence, established in June 2020 to enhance the profile and impact of chronic disease prevention in Australia. We are working together to find alignment in the policy and practice implications of our work and to develop shared communications across our various projects and participating centres.
