Why the op-ed page? Most newspapers have a commentary page opposite the editorial page that serves as an open forum for citizens to share their concerns; it is the second most read section of the paper after general news. Policymakers look to the commentary page to inform themselves and to gauge public opinion. What is the format of an op-ed piece? It is your written 300 to 600 word opinion or comment about an issue, policy or event in the news. National birthdays or celebrations are also good op-ed topics. The most popular format is as follows:

• State the problem.
• Say why it is wrong.
• Give your well-reasoned ideas about how to fix it.

Be sure to provide citations for every fact and figure you include. For example, I once had an editor ask me to document what I meant by a “trickle,” when I wrote that the “U.S. refugee admissions had gone from a flow to a trickle.” It’s a bit like doing a mini research paper for a senior English class! What are the newspaper’s guidelines for an op-ed? Contact the newspaper’s editorial page editor. Ask for the paper’s guidelines for op-ed submissions and follow them. The guidelines will include length, whether or not they want an exclusive, author contact information needed, author background, etc. I also include a brief 100 word author biography when I submit an op-ed. They generally pay for an op-ed they accept - that’s another reason why they are sometimes tough to place! The prime purpose of these kinds of advocacy efforts is the raising of awareness and to influence policy change where it may be needed. Examples of advocacy would be:

• Writing or visiting state legislators to advocate for a state statute on human trafficking in states that don’t have one.
• Writing to raise awareness of the need for more vocational education.
• To communicate post orphanage support as a social issue.
• To advocate for higher funding for world wide literacy programs.