November 7, 2014
This is the tenth opinion piece I’ve written for The Spectator. I started with the idiocy of college rankings, and have since covered everything from club sports to the FYE to YikYak. I like to think I have gotten progressively better at it, and in that vein, I would like to point out some of the biggest problems I see with other opinion pieces I have seen published in The Spec. Some are based on content, and some are based on style, but I think at a school that is renowned for its writing instruction, we should all expect more out of our student publications, especially our journalistic ones.
The first tip to writing a good op-ed is to have a clearly defined stance. I know this may seem obvious, but I will occasionally skim through articles and realize halfway through that they are not supposed to be news pieces, despite all other signs to the contrary. If you are going to write an op-ed, you have to have an opinion, and I mean a strong, articulate, precise and passionate opinion. And make sure you lead with it. While a piece should not ignore the other side of the argument, I should not have to meander through every side of every argument before recognizing what your side is. State up front that you think that chaining down the rock swing is egregious strike against Kirkland and general liberties, and then move from there.
Next, explain why you are right. I know it is tempting in any op-ed to just list all the reasons why your least favorite thing is bad, stupid and dangerous. You should not resort to bashing, however. Explain why your least favorite thing is a bad idea, but also explain why your idea is better. Demonstrate that a change, or maybe a lack of change, has more merits than whatever the other person is proposing. If you think that denying the late night Jitney service to students under 21 is dangerous because it might tempt people to drive drunk, then say that, but then also highlight that the Jitney provides a safe alternative that does not risk anyone’s life. Putting up a pouty front against ‘The Man’ feels right sometimes, but unless you are an anarchist, you have to consider other opinions too.
And by the way, make sure you actually know the other side’s argument. At its heart, journalism is all about asking questions, and no opinion piece should be so naïve to think decisions are made without a good reason. Whether it is Bon Appétit or the decisions made by the Dean of Students office, changes are always made for a reason, and completely ignoring those reasons makes for shoddy journalism and horrendous arguments. Do not assume, and do not make sweeping statements; they are always full of holes to be poked. Know thyself, and know thy opponent.
Moving on to style concerns, do not be smug. For the love of God, do not forget that being right and being persuasive is not always the same thing. No one likes being talked down to. Being smarmy about how much smarter you are will make some people appreciate you, but most people will detest you and, by association, hate your arguments too. But I get it. The truth will get out! It should be about facts! But then why be so aggressive about it? If your ideas are strong and clear, then they will do all the heavy lifting you need. Cute turns of phrase to belittle the other side will not win you any points in the debate, so save them for a good Facebook status.
Finally, make sure you propose a solution. I think this sin is the one I commit most often, because sometimes you simply do not have the resources or the knowledge to pose a better solution or a plausible alternative, but you should always try. Reading a well argued, civil piece about a problem can still be unfulfilling if there is no bright side at the end. Outlining all the problems with an idea, but never finding a better solution makes the problem just seem insurmountable and permanent, which makes people apathetic. A piece needs to inspire action, not cement inaction. When you dislike something, do not just rest on your angst. Other people may not share your discontent, and will subsequently feel totally fine about leaving everything alone. Plan for the light at the end of the tunnel and point the way towards it. That will give your piece a sense of closure and hope, things that other people can then improve upon.
Generally speaking, The Spec struggles to get any op-eds in each issue, let alone well conceived, articulate ones. However, this is not because of a lack of opinions on campus. If the heated conversations I hear in KJ Atrium, or the abstract pieces I see in The Daily Bull are any indication, Hamilton students have opinions about practically everything. And they know how to write well—or at least the school hopes you do after four years. I think the main problem is getting people to send an email saying, “Hey, this is a problem, and I want to explain why.” And believe me, that is all it takes to write an opinion piece: an opinion and a will to publish it. So if you have strong, specific, well researched feelings on anything, email The Spectator, or talk to the editors about it. Maybe then you will be another big-mouth who chides other people, just like me.
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