Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter Twelve Editorials, Opinion Pieces, Columns, Blogs and Cartoons 385 Chapter Twelve Chapter Twelve Writers’ Workshop WORKSHOP 12.2 W ORKSHOP 12.2 How Did the Op-Ed Writer How Did the Op-Ed Writer Do That? Do That? Mini-Lesson: Charting an Op-Ed Mini-Lesson: Charting an Op-Ed Opinion pieces are usually limited in length by editorial policy. Some publications keep them below 700 words others, below 1,000. They always require strong, efficient writing and close editing. They also tend to follow several patterns. You and your group will discover a few of these in this workshop. Though they need not be as timely as a staff editorial, they address timely issues or concerns. Compared to the freedom and wide open spaces available to a columnist, opinion pieces may feel confining, but they possess a power granted to few other types of writing. A strong op-ed piece may be “picked up” and reprinted in publications across the country and discussed in public forums and private meetings. 1. Choose an opinion piece from a professional publication that impresses you. 2. Chart the opinion piece as you did the column in Workshop 12.1. 3. Perform the analysis, paying particular attention to how narrative elements, that is, storytelling elements from personal experience or observation, are mixed with expert sources and statements of the writer’s opinions. 4. Working with your group, discuss your findings: A. What elements are common in opinion pieces but rare in columns? B. What elements tend to start an opinion piece? C. What elements tend to end an opinion piece? D. If you colored in the narrative elements in the opinion pieces you charted, what parts of the pieces would be colored? E. What percent of an opinion piece could be written (if you had a good research library) without leaving the newsroom? F. What advice would you, as a group, give to someone who wants to write an opinion piece for your publication or broadcast? Apply It! Apply It! On an appropriate topic of your choice, write a 700- to 1,000-word op-ed. Use the chart you created for this mini-lesson as a writing map. Extend Your Knowledge Extend Your Knowledge The writer’s tone, his attitude toward his subject, his audience and himself, also shapes op-eds and opinion columns. For a Writers’ Workshop on handling tone, visit the Journalism website. Extend Paragraph’s Number Paragraph’s Mission Source Columnist’s Text (optional) 1 Sets the scene, introduces the van. OB The giant brightly colored van has become a familiar sight on the street outside Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School, just across from the Jordan Downs housing project in Watts. 2 Introduces two opposing sides, each trying to influence families. OB It’s not as popular a destination as the roving paletero selling ice cream or the display of fluffy pink batches of cotton candy peddled on the street corner. But a medical team from Cedars-Sinai is working to change that. 3 Introduces the health care team in the van. OB 4 Gives background about van’s services. R The van is part of a mobile program that provides free health services to low-income families from Skid Row south to Inglewood. A pair of vans makes regular rounds to more than two dozen schools, parks and social services centers. Children get their eyes checked, ear infections treated and immunizations updated. 5 Heart of story, nutritional advice is key to improving long-term health. R But in an area where 55 percent of teenagers are overweight or obese, its most important product may be health and nutrition advice, clearly explained and gently delivered. 23 Girl sullenly studies snacks, nurse urges water. OB 24 Girl pockets $1, leaves. OB 25 Columnist calls it a standoff. Col I considered it more a standoff than a victory for the forces of good health. That dollar was likely burning a hole in Dafne’s pocket. And there was another mother pushing another snack cart just around the block.