Have a timely insight or expert take? We can help you shape your research and perspective into a compelling opinion piece or guest essay—typically 600–800 words—tailored to reach the right audience, whether broad, regionally focused, or field-specific.

Media Relations can:

• Offer guidance on shaping your piece and organizing your ideas to strengthen your argument
• Provide tailored outlet recommendations based on your topic and audience
• Help pitch editors and navigate the submission process 

Writing Tips:

If you want to start exploring the basics of opinion writing, consider reading tips from The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Financial Times, and The Op-Ed Project. 

Common Op-ed Styles and Examples:

Explainer or Perspective-Shift Op-Ed – Reframe how people understand an issue by offering context, history, or a new lens.

• The New York Times: Universities like the one I run aren't afraid to let people argue
• Fortune: Trump's tariffs put American growth and prosperity at risk—and raise the likelihood of a recession
• Religion News Service: America isn't becoming less spiritual. It's becoming differently spiritual.

Call to Action Op-Ed – Encourage people to take action—advocate for policy improvements or take creative risks.

• The Times-Union (Albany): Bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in schools is best approach
• The Chronicle of Higher Education: Want your scholarship to influence public policy?
• STAT: The U.S. must invest in mRNA vaccines against pandemic influenza viruses now

Personal Experience Op-Ed – Humanize an issue by sharing your story.

• TIME: 80 years on, we must continue to keep the memories of Holocaust survivors alive
• Slate: I smeared yogurt on my face—and the results were incredible

Letters to the Editor – A brief, timely response—usually under 300 words—to a published article or current issue.

For more information, please email op-eds@cornell.edu.