Whether your goal is to raise awareness about a community issue, defend a position, or move the public to action, guest columns and editorials are a powerful media tool. This section explains what an editorial is, helps you decide whether or not to write one, and walks you through the process of writing an effective piece.
An editorial is an official statement of the newspaper’s editors regarding a particular topic. It establishes the newspaper’s official stance and can cover politics as well as social or cultural issues. Editorials should be clearly separated from news reporting so that readers can know what is factual and what is opinion.
Many newspapers have a designated section for columns, illustrations, and letters that express opinion. This section is usually called the editorial page or “Op-Ed.”
Unlike news stories, editorials have a lighter tone and are meant to persuade. They often touch on controversial topics, but they are not intended to be a forum for personal attacks or name-calling. Rather, editorials present viewpoints based on experience, supporting evidence, objective analysis and/or opinion.
Celebrities and other public figures also use op-eds to share their opinions with the world. For example, Chrissy Teigen shared her thoughts about her miscarriage in a personal op-ed published on Medium. Many people also publish op-eds on their own websites or other platforms to highlight important issues in their communities. Generally, these op-eds are not considered part of the newspaper’s editorial page but can be seen as a way for celebrities and other public figures to make their voices heard in the media.