Advocacy Toolkit for Women in Politics 7 Writing for Media – Opinion and Commentary Pieces

“Approach f you have a look through whose viewpoints are considered Once you have your idea clear the editor of your newspaper on any given interesting enough for publication in your head for your piece, write day you will find that not by the editor. As such, anyone a one paragraph brief on it. The the newspaper everything in there is news can provide commentary on any brief will outline the issue, your you would like I – referred to in journalism issue they have deep-felt opinions views on it and why others should as “hard news”. This is informa- about or an alternative view on hear your view. Approach the edi- to write for and tion about something new, that and which they wish to share with tor of the newspaper you would share your idea. includes the voices of two or more the readership. like to write for and share your Anticipate and be sources and which has promi- idea. Anticipate and be prepared nence. You are also likely to find Preparing an Opinion Piece to answer some questions so you prepared to features – stories with a human can argue your viewpoint. answer some interest. You will certainly find To do an opinion piece you need that there are some opinion and to start with thorough research on An alternative approach requires questions so you commentary pieces. These are your newspapers and their audi- you to read the newspapers regu- can argue your someone’s views and opinions on ences. Get to know the type of larly. If a news item comes up that viewpoint.” a particular issue. opinion pieces they like to publish. is related to your issue and that Talk to family, friends and col- you feel strongly about, suggest Someone who writes a regular leagues and find out which paper doing an opinion piece on this to column providing commentary on they read often, whether there is the editor. issues is referred to as a column- a columnist they follow and why ist. But an opinion or commentary they like that paper and column- If the editor is interested, find out writer is not necessarily a journal- ist. Having this information on the deadline for you to submit ist. Very often they are people hand will help you decide on the your piece. Be sure you can who have specialist knowledge angle and give you some ideas of meet that deadline before you on a particular issue, whose a style to approach your opinion agree because newspapers are opinion is highly regarded or piece. carefully planned and time-bound and failing to meet a deadline can be very disruptive for them and

result in loss of faith in you. ¬ Key Notes A word of warning. Don’t send your idea for an opinion piece to

A good way of gaining confidence as a woman politician in your writing and how you many newspapers. Only ap-

present yourself before audiences is to become a reliable and authoratitive expert on an ¬ proach one paper at a time. If an issue. To do so you must always talk facts, figures and impact. editor finds that the same idea Talking facts requires thorough research. Read research and other papers and articles has been sent to competitor pa- and talk with NGOs and academics who may be working on your issue or topic. When you pers he or she will scrap it. are writing for or speaking in front of an audience, you are less likely to waffle or speak in

generalities. Writing the opinion piece ¬

Talking impact is a way of bringing the strength of the human perspective to the table. You need to begin by stating the This can be done by finding out who is most affected by a policy, issue or event and taking compelling argument of your time to talk to these people to hear their side of the story. These become the anecdotes that piece right at the start. It is useful lift the facts and figures into real life. to start by writing one sentence and then putting the facts and Adapted from ‘Women in the News: Strengthening the Voice and Visibility of Women in the African messages you develop around it. Media’s Coverage of Elections, Politics and Governance – A Handbook for Women Politicians and Maintain the argument through- the Media’, IPS, 2008 out, backed up with relevant data and facts. The opinion piece should one paragraph brief on it. The brief that the same idea has been sent not be more than 800 to 1000 will outline the issue, your views on to competitor papers he or she will words so be clear and consise. it and why others should hear your scrap it. Show your passion for and knowl- view. Approach the editor of the edge of the issue but without being newspaper you would like to write Writing the opinion piece academic or showy in tone. Your for and share your idea. Anticipate voice should come through natu- and be prepared to answer some You need to begin by stating the rally and clearly. questions so you can argue your compelling argument of your piece viewpoint. right at the start. It is useful to start Once you have submitted your by writing one sentence and then opinion piece to the editor, follow An alternative approach requires putting the facts and messages up the next day to make sure you to read the newspapers regu- you develop around it. Maintain the they received it, to find out if they larly. If a news item comes up that argument throughout, backed up have any feedback for you and is related to your issue and that with relevant data and facts. The most importantly, if they are going you feel strongly about, suggest opinion piece should not be more to publish it.to start with thorough doing an opinion piece on this to than 800 to 1000 words so be clear research on your newspapers and the editor. and consise. Show your passion their audiences. Get to know the for and knowledge of the issue but type of opinion pieces they like to If the editor is interested, find out without being academic or showy publish. Talk to family, friends and the deadline for you to submit your in tone. Your voice should come colleagues and find out which pa- piece. Be sure you can meet that through naturally and clearly. per they read often, whether there deadline before you agree because is a columnist they follow and why newspapers are carefully planned Once you have submitted your they like that paper and columnist. and time-bound and failing to meet opinion piece to the editor, follow Having this information on hand will a deadline can be very disruptive up the next day to make sure help you decide on the angle and for them and result in loss of faith they received it, to find out if they give you some ideas of a style to in you. have any feedback for you and approach your opinion piece. A word of warning. Don’t send your most importantly, if they are going idea for an opinion piece to many to publish it. Once you have your idea clear in newspapers. Only approach one your head for your piece, write a paper at a time. If an editor finds

The “Women in Politics” Advocacy Series is the product of a partnership between IPS Africa and UN Women as part of a wide programme to strengthen the capacity for advocacy and transforma- tive leadership of women in politics, support institutions and political parties. For more information, resources and training opportunities, go to: http://www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/polls/index.asp.