Format the finished opinion essay as an op-ed, with a headline, byline, and tightened paragraphs suited to a newspaper or website audience.
An op-ed, short for "opposite the editorial page," is a real newspaper and website format for persuasive writing by everyday people, not just professional journalists. It uses a catchy headline, a byline naming the author, and tighter, punchier paragraphs than a school essay.
Op-ed paragraphs are often shorter than typical essay paragraphs, sometimes just two or three sentences, to keep a busy reader's attention.
Mastery looks like: They reformat their opinion essay into an op-ed with a catchy headline, a byline, and tightened, punchier paragraphs.
Common stumbles: Writing a headline that is vague or does not hint at the claim; leaving paragraphs exactly as long as the original essay instead of tightening them.
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