Opinion

How to write an opinion piece

Loading

Rants, raves and arguments, while often associated with activist college students, are ways to express one’s greatest passions, favorite organizations, causes and defenses of minority opinions.

The Threefold Advocate is looking for students who are interested in giving a voice to important discussions that students care about or shining a light on unknown topics.

If you have an engaging opinion and want to share your thoughts, here’s how to get published in the Advocate.

  1. Brainstorm your passions and convictions.

What topic you not stop talking about? What problems on or off campus do you have a solution to? Write down your ideas, no matter your initial impression of them. Make a priority list and select the topic you can make the strongest argument for. For example, you could write about the importance of volunteering in college.

  1. Outline your argument.

What makes your stance or solution stand out? What steps should someone take to make your thoughts a reality? Clarify your foundational points in short sentences and determine their order. Outline your idea with supporting details, stories and credible research. For volunteering in college, one could list studies showing that students who volunteer feel more connected on campus and share the story of a Cause Ministry he or she is involved in.

  1. Let your thoughts flow.

Following your outline, begin writing and don’t hold back. Share your honest thoughts and experiences. Don’t be afraid to share your real emotions about your topic or cause. For example, if you have a story about working with a Cause Ministry where you cried, bring that emotion into your opinion.

  1. Watch your word-count and grammar.

The Threefold Advocate accepts opinions articles from 500 to 700 words. Check your word count and ensure that everything in your story supports your opinion. Don’t forget to run spell-check.

  1. Submit to The Threefold Advocate.

Once you feel confident in your writing, send it to Advocate@jbu.edu with the subject line “Opinion: Last Name.” Please include your full name, email, year, and major in the body of your message.

Comments are closed.