An Access Point, Officials Read them.
As you can examine in this link, the Op-Ed is a common genre of writing that appears in newspapers and other media platforms. Writing an Op-Ed is a good way to engage in public debate. Published articles like these can shape the policy direction of a local or even national government. They appear not only in newspapers but also in public forums and discussion boards.
Be cautious about what you write and the outlet you submit to. It’s hard to take back words once they are in print or online. Also, choose wisely your level of publication. Your local newspaper or community forum might be a better space than the New York Times.
This is an excellent link from Duke University on writing an Op-Ed.
Excellent examples appear daily at Real Clear Politics.
Getting Started:
1. Brainstorm and jot down 1 to 3 ideas for an op-ed. Think of topics that you feel strongly about, or those you may know more about.
2. Decide on one of these, and create 3 to 4 questions for you to answer or facts you should confirm en route to your Op-Ed.