Making Your Research Accessible- The Do’s and Must Do’s of Writing an Opinion Editorial

Written by: Willy Das, PhD

Photo by: Unsplash

Have you ever wished that more people could understand your research? While citations are useful for demonstrating the impact of your work, they don’t necessarily make your research accessible to non-academic audiences. That’s where opinion editorials come in! Opinion editorials are articles targeted for media outlets, written by an expert based on a topical opinion, linking back to research. The  research project you are partaking in makes you an expert in that particular topic and provides you the opportunity to pen down an ‘Op-ed’- as opinion editorials are popularly called. Writing an op-ed can be both challenging and exciting, as it requires translating technical terms and scientific jargon into relatable language.

This article provides some tips to help you craft a compelling op-ed that engages readers and conveys your message effectively.  

Know your audience– Probably the most reiterated advice, but you can never under-state the importance of knowing your audience before you start writing. Your choice of words and the amount of jargon you can get away with is dependent on your target audience. You want to keep your article engaging while keeping the contents informative. Nothing hampers engagement like having to rely on google for clarifications while reading an article. Also, opinion editorials are not about showcasing your vocabulary prowess. Keep editing your sentences until you feel it can’t be simplified any further.   

Create a catchy title– That’s right, your article’s title creates the hook that determines viewership. Unlike academic journals, in Op-Eds your article’s title is as important as the content. Spend time and  don’t shy away from channeling your inner creativity to come up with a title that’s attention grabbing and tangible. The title should be able to create the overall message for your whole article. For example,

Good- Negative Organizational Outcomes of  Individual’s ‘Presumed Resilience’

Better- Steps Leaders in Organizations Can Take to Curb the Negative Outcomes of  ‘Perceived Resilience’

Best- “Resilient” Isn’t the Compliment You Think It Is

Here, the first title conveys the article’s message, but the second is better as it indicates actionable items and is not just reporting the phenomena. However, both these titles lack vibrancy. The third title is perfect because it contradicts a common belief to grab attention and informs about the overall message of the article.

Do the skeletal work before starting the manuscript- Having a framework ready makes the process of writing the editorial simpler and helps you stay on track. Start by deciding what key message you are trying to convey. This should include answers to all the ‘W’ questions in the most concise manner – who (who the article is beneficial for- think similar to your practical implication section in journal article), where (where the research was conducted- a very brief explanation of the research methodology section ) , why (why your research is relevant- think literature review section that drives your research question) and what (what your findings are – list the 3 key findings that you wish to convey in the priority order- think the result section of your journal article).

Make your point and make it fast–  Editorials usually have the word limit of 800 words or less. So, a difficult part of translating your journal article to op-ed is about prioritizing what to keep. You need to make your point and make it fast, ideally in the first paragraph. Also, it is a good idea to  start your article with a bang – something that either challenges popular wisdom, or is referencing a recent news-worthy topic. Think about how you are changing the course of the conversation that is happening in this particular research field.  

For example, if your research is about a new material that can tackle the problem of energy shortage, start by citing statistics or claims from previous studies/research on energy shortage-  (e.g. Prevailing wisdom says by 2050 (for example) there will  be an eventual energy crisis. Quite alarming right ? What if we told you your future generations can continue the custom of Superbowl watch parties! UWBG semiconductors are the solution to the energy crisis)- Go on to explain what these materials are, what your research found and the implications of your research. 

 Miscellaneous Op-ed action items- 

• Short paragraphs are a must- Short paragraphs help to keep the reader’s attention. When a paragraph is too long, it can be overwhelming, and the reader may lose interest or struggle to follow your (the writer’s) thoughts.
• Have headings for your findings/action items or bullet points-  Bullet points, headings or subheadings make the text easier to follow, and increase the readability of the document. 
• Work backwards by writing your conclusion before the body of your opinion editorial- The conclusion acts as an anchor to help you to stay focused on the main argument you are trying to make in the article. 
• Maximize the impact with a strong conclusion- Drive your point home with a strong closing statement, and it is advisable to have some tips to benefit readers. 
• Incorporate stats and data (from your research or others) whenever you can- Statistics and data provide evidence and support for your arguments, making them more compelling and convincing. Using stats and data can also help to establish credibility and authority on the subject. 
• Unlike academic journal’s referencing, hyperlink citations of research work in the sentences- This allows readers to easily access the information being referenced, and can also improve the overall readability of the document. Hyperlinking also helps you increase the depth of your article in a scenario where there is a word limit . 

So, in a nutshell, by crafting a powerful opinion editorial, you can unlock the potential of your research to make a meaningful impact in your field and beyond. Just keep it simple, know your audience, come up with a cool headline, prepare a clear outline, prioritize your message, and nail your point in 800 words or less. So, go ahead and write that op-ed – the world is waiting to hear from you!