An op-ed is an opinion piece by a guest writer that makes a clear argument about a topic usually (but not always) in the news. The name is derived from the traditional placement of these pieces opposite the editorial page of the printed newspaper. Op-eds should be focused: 750 to 800 words is ideal. Op-eds can incorporate charts, photos, audio or even comics . Your thesis — your main argument — is the most important part of an op-ed, so make sure it is easy to locate and understand. Ask yourself: What is the two- or three-sentence takeaway from this piece? Or what might the headline on this piece be? If it is not clear, it is not an op-ed — not yet. (Tip: Try writing your column as a tweet or a short email. Then incorporate that near the top of your piece.)

What is not an op-ed?

Personal essays that do not make an argument are generally not op-eds. Even if the op-ed includes a personal story, it should have a point to make — something readers can engage with and think about. Journalistic investigations without an argument are not op-eds. Poems and works of fiction usually are not op-eds either. Neither are reviews of books, movies, television shows or other media. We only rarely accept op-eds that are written as open letters. Op-eds also are not meant to be a tool for public relations. For example, we will not accept submissions from people praising the company where they work. An op-ed should serve readers, not the interests of the author.

Who can submit an op-ed?

Anyone can submit an op-ed to The Washington Post. Yes, really! We review them all. You do not need to live in Washington, D.C., or in the United States, to write an op-ed for The Post. You do not have to be famous or have been published previously. You do not have to have a lot of Twitter followers. You do not need to work as a journalist or in politics. For example, The Washington Post has recently published op-eds from:

How do I get my op-ed published?

The easiest way to get your op-ed in front of our editors is to submit it using the form on this page . Please submit a full draft — not a pitch or an idea. And please paste the full text of your submission, rather than linking or attaching it. We do our best to read all submissions promptly, and will usually contact you within one week if we are interested in publishing your article. If you do not hear from us in a week, it is safe to assume we will not be able to use your article. It is okay to follow up with an email to oped@washpost.com if you want to clarify the status of your submission.

Can I send something I have already published?

No. We only publish op-eds that are exclusive to The Post. That means we cannot use anything that has been published on another news outlet or website, trade publication, personal blog or the like. That also means you should not send it to another news organization while The Post is considering it. If you do not hear from us within one week, you can assume we will not use your article. At that point, you may submit to another news organization.

How do you choose which op-eds to publish?

When considering op-eds, we look for pieces that will accomplish one or more of the following goals for our readers: We also often publish op-eds that break news, meaning they reveal something of consequence that was not previously known to the public.

Who are these readers?

A lot of people read the Washington Post Opinions section, and each has a different life experience and expertise. So you should write for a broad audience and assume that the average reader does not have your level of knowledge on your topic.

Do you only publish op-eds you agree with?

No! We strive to publish a diversity of opinions on our op-ed page. Often, that means we are specifically seeking viewpoints that are different from those of our columnists or t he Editorial Board. (That is a group of journalists whose articles represent the views of The Washington Post as an institution.) Also, no two editors on our diverse team will agree or disagree with the exact same set of ideas.

Do you pay op-ed writers?

Yes, we offer a fee to working writers and many other contributors whose op-eds we publish. Exceptions include politicians, government officials and others writing in their official capacities.

Can I write under a pseudonym?

No. Unless under extreme circumstances — such as when publishing an op-ed would pose a threat to your life — we must publish your full name in the byline.

Can I write in my own voice?

Yes, please! Write how you sound, not how you think The Washington Post should sound. After you have written your op-ed, try reading back through and circling any words you would not use in conversation. Then replace them with different words. Or try reading the piece aloud; if you trip over a phrase or a sentence, revise.

Do I need to write about the news?

In most cases, the op-eds we publish will have a news hook. That means they are pegged to a news or cultural topic that is likely to be of interest to readers now. Timing is to an op-ed as location is to real estate, especially if you are writing on a breaking-news topic. That means an op-ed submitted on the day after an event will have an advantage over one submitted a week later, when the conversation has slowed. Not every op-ed will be about the news of the day, but it should always have an original angle — something readers might not have thought of before and will find interesting. Your op-ed can be about any topic in the news and does not need to reference a specific Washington Post article.

Can I submit more than one draft at a time?

Yes, but you may wish to prioritize sending your one best piece. Quality always beats quantity.

What is the editing process like?

Typically when an op-ed is accepted, one of our editors will revise the first draft with an eye toward length, argument and writing quality. Then the editor will send those proposed revisions back to the op-ed writer for approval; our priority is always to make sure the writer is comfortable with the edits. There may be a few back-and-forth editing exchanges like this until the piece gets to a mutually agreeable place. At that point, the op-ed is sent to our copy desk, which checks for accuracy, grammar and house style. The writer is sent that final version for one last approval — and then the piece publishes.

Should I include supporting documentation for fact-checking?

Yes, this can be included in the comments field of this form , or after a piece is accepted. Supporting documents and citations are very helpful during the editing process.

How should I structure my op-ed?

The format of your op-ed helps the reader understand your argument. Here is a classic structure that does this effectively: There are many other ways of presenting ideas that work, but any successful op-ed needs structure and a logical flow that makes the reader’s life easier, not harder.

What is a lede (also known as a lead)?

A lede (rhymes with “deed”) is the opening sentence or sentences of your op-ed, and it is very important. A good lede will draw in readers and persuade them to keep reading. It can be your thesis, but it does not have to be. In any event, make sure to get to the crux of your argument fast — that means in the first couple of paragraphs. Remember, you have only 750 words, so make each of them count.

A kicker is the last sentence of your article. It should leave readers satisfied that they knew what the piece was about and that it was worth getting through. Sometimes circling back to the beginning does the trick. One thing you should not do is introduce a new thought you do not develop that leaves the reader thinking: Why didn’t they write that column? Another bad idea: ending with a quote that tells readers what someone else was thinking — but not what you think. If you think it is not good enough, you are not done. Take a walk. Think of the pithiest (or, if appropriate, cheekiest) thing you can say about the piece. Then make that the kicker.

Opinion The Washington Post guide to writing an opinion article

11 min

By Washington Post staff

Updated June 23, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EDT|Published May 16, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EDT

Each month, The Washington Post publishes dozens of op-eds from guest authors. These articles — written by subject-matter experts, politicians, journalists and other people with something interesting to say — provide a diversity of voices and perspectives for our readers.

The information and tips below are meant to demystify our selection and editing process, and to help you sharpen your argument before submitting an op-ed of your own.