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

The Why

“Few publications have the same impact as the ‘grey journal’.”

What is the “grey journal”?

The Why

The New York Times

(Daily Circulation 1,379,806)

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

Op-Eds

400-1200 words

<800 words

500-800 words

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

Letters to the Editor

150-175 words

<200 words

<200 words

150-175 words

<200 words

<200 words

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

Q U E S T I O N S ?

Thank you