op-eds and letters to the...
TRANSCRIPT
A D V O C A C Y I N H E A L T H C A R E
N P A C O P E L L O / A M S A C A L L
A P R I L 2 0 1 5
P H I L A D E L P H I A T E A M
D I A N A H U A N G , M U D I T G I L O T R A , J E F F H O M
Op-Eds, Letters to the Editor and Editorial Board Meetings
Objectives
The Why
Editorial Boards and Editorials
Purpose of Opinion Pieces
Writing Your Own Opinion Piece: Nuts and Bolts
Op-Eds
Letters to the Editor (LTE)
Resources
Editorials vs Op-Eds and LTEs
Editorials – written by staff of newspaper and represent paper’s opinion on an issue
Op-Eds and LTEs – written by you
Editorial Board
Editorial board is made up of individuals at the newspaper who determine what the paper’s position will be on an issue and then write editorials
Editorials can:
Endorse candidates
Take a stand on an issue
Urge readers to vote in a particular way
Should I Meet with an Editorial Board?
Research past editorial coverage to see if they have covered your topic recently
If they have, more appropriate to write a LTE
Especially useful times to schedule a meeting:
When launching a new campaign/program – ask the paper to write an editorial in support
When requesting a call for action (esp. with release of newsworthy new info) – ask the board to call on decision makers to act
When you see editorials in the paper opposing your position – meet with them to share your side of the story
from communitycatalyst.org
Preparing for the Meeting
Choose 1-4 people to go to the meeting Should have the same message but from different perspectives
Email the person who writes on your issue (if possible) or the Editorial page editor Include your stance, who will be coming to the meeting, why
it’s important to meet soon, and some days that will work
Once the meeting is scheduled, be ready! If multiple people are going, have someone act as moderator
Each person should speak for 3-5 minutes
Close with an ask – what you want the board to do
Follow up with a thank you and restate your view
from communitycatalyst.org
Purpose of Op-Eds and LTEs
Connect with lots of people
Connect with a diverse group of people
Policymakers often read these (not medical journals)
Can help you establish yourself as a local expert (particularly in smaller cities/towns)
Opinion Pieces: Nuts and Bolts
Tell a story/experience – emotion is important
Can share facts/statistics, but emphasis should be on your feelings, opinions and expertise
A great place to start for advocates who are less comfortable with public speaking
Be concise
Attention to spelling and grammar is critical
Read each newspaper’s submission instructions
Don’t forget!
Sign with your credentials (MD, MPH, PhD, medical student, etc.)
The “standing” of the author is often the most important criterion in getting an opinion piece published
Op-Eds
Opinion pieces often placed opposite the Editorials
Frequently solicited, but can be submitted by the author
A chance for you to share your opinion on a topic about which you’re passionate or in which you have expertise
Especially true if there’s something big happening in your field that people need to know about
Letters to the Editor
Written in response to something recently published by the newspaper (the closer to the date of the original article the more likely it is to be published)
Shorter than Op-Eds (the whole Letter must be the hook!)
Tip: Try to write freely for 10 minutes before editing
Opportunities for Advocacy
http://articles.philly.com/2015-01-29/news/58551433_1_philadelphia-library-gray-hair-borrowers
January 28, 2015
Additional Resources
TheOpEdProject.org has info on the Top 126 online and print publications in the country, including their Op-Ed and LTE policies and circulation. Check the website of the paper you want to submit to for up-to-date info. http://www.theopedproject.org/cms/index.php?option=com_conte
nt&view=article&id=47:submission-information&Itemid=65
Tips on Editorial Board Meetings from Community Catalyst http://www.communitycatalyst.org/doc-
store/publications/Editorial_Board_Meetings-Tip_Sheet.pdf
Tips on Writing Opinion Pieces from Writer’s Digest: http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-
goal/improve-my-writing/10-rules-for-writing-opinion-pieces