University Relations
Op-Ed Service
Tips for Writing an Op-Ed | Op-Ed Articles
What It Is
The University of Florida's Op-Ed Service solicits and distributes UF faculty- and staff-authored opinion pieces on timely issues in the news. The goal is to help UF authors share their considerable knowledge and expertise in a public forum: the opinion pages of national and state newspapers and magazines. The Op-Ed Service editor distributes op-eds as circumstances warrant, averaging about two monthly.
What it offers
Assistance with editing. The stylistic requirements of mainstream newspaper and magazine op-eds differ considerably from those of most forms of academic writing. The editor works with authors to craft articles to meet the expected standards of length, tone, style and readability. The editor also suggests a headline, and writes a short author's biography and cover letter to accompany each submission.
Distribution. The Op-Ed Service distributes and pitches op-eds to national and state newspapers as appropriate. Because many national newspapers have exclusivity clauses, the editor typically submits op-eds serially to the national press. Op-eds targeted for statewide or local distribution may be submitted to several newspapers in non-competing markets at once.
Follow-up. The editor tracks submissions and provides hard-copy clippings or Internet links to authors for any op-eds that appear in print. Some newspapers pay small honorariums, which go directly to authors. The editor also serves as a point of contact for editors seeking UF-authored op-eds.
To submit an op-ed or discuss an idea, contact Op-Ed Service Editor Aaron
Hoover,
352-392-0186, ahoover@ufl.edu.