"Letters to the editor" reflect your views in a shorter format, and are usually tied to an article or editorial that has been recently printed in the newspaper. These communications are generally from 100 - 250 words long, and should add value to the originally printed article or opinion. It is not generally enough to write to agree or disagree; editors are looking for additional information that supports your opinion about why the article was good or bad, or that otherwise contributes to a reader's understanding of the issue.

"Feature articles" are generally solicited by the newspaper, and combine facts about an issue with human interest. You can call a paper and "pitch" the idea for this kind of article to a member of the editorial staff, but remember that your chances of having them ask you to write the article will depend on the timeliness of the issue and its relevance to the paper's readers. A local component - linking a larger issue about secondary school reform to the "story" of a teacher or student - will increase the chances that the editor will be interested in printing something that your write.

Publication in a newspaper provides instant visibility for your ideas among educators and policymakers, opinion leaders, and the public. But the competition for space and editorial requirements demand that pieces are well targeted to the requirements of each publication, meet a high threshold of news value, speak directly to the audience, and present provocative new ideas in compelling ways.

Like good news stories, feature articles, op-eds, and letters to the editor should:

• Identify the controversy around the issue;
• Present interesting data that provokes interest, challenges current belief, and proves a point;
• Draw attention to counter-intuitive aspects of the subject that are surprising;
• Make the issues real by providing specific examples that make the point;
• Enable the reader to see themselves in the story;
• Make the case using colorful language; and
• Present newsworthy information that often ties in with big stories in the news.

The biggest challenge in writing for newspapers and regional magazines is creating a focused argument on a topic that will appeal to a broad range of readers of the publication. Your written material needs to do more than show that something, even a problem, exists. It needs to offer a solution or show why your view of the world is more accurate or relevant than those who differ with you.

For more information on how to write and place op-eds, or to see a sample op-ed, click one of the links below.