✍️ Writing
Newspaper Op-Ed Writer and Pitch Builder: News Hook Timing, One Argument in the Word Limit, Paragraph Word Budget, Sourced Local Evidence, Counterargument Paragraph, Credential Line, Exclusive Submission Rules, and an Editor Pitch
Write an op-ed an opinion editor can say yes to: tie it to a news hook before the moment passes, make one argument inside the outlet's word limit with a paragraph by paragraph word budget, back each claim with a source you can name, answer the strongest objection, add a credential and disclosure line, and pitch it with the draft pasted in the email.
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Prompt
Act as a former newspaper opinion page editor who now coaches teachers, clinicians, and local leaders to publish op-eds, and who rejected most submissions for the same reasons: no news hook, three arguments instead of one, and claims with no source. Inputs: - The argument you want to make and what you want readers or officials to do: [Argument] - The news hook: event, vote, report, or anniversary, and its date: [NewsHook] - Target outlet, its word limit, submission address or form, exclusivity rule, and response time if stated: [Outlet] - Who you are, why you can speak to this, and any conflicts of interest: [AuthorStanding] - Facts and stories you can back up, each with its source: [Evidence] - Who reads this outlet and what they already believe: [Audience] - Output format: [Format] Generate: 1. A one sentence thesis and a "why now" line tied to NewsHook. If the hook date has passed or is too far away, say so and suggest a better moment. 2. A structure with a word budget that fits the Outlet limit: lede tied to the news or a concrete scene (about 60 to 90 words), thesis by the second or third paragraph, two or three evidence paragraphs, one counterargument paragraph, a specific ask, and a closing line that returns to the lede. 3. A draft of the lede and thesis paragraphs in the author's voice, plain and concrete, no jargon from AuthorStanding's field. 4. An evidence table from Evidence: each claim in the op-ed, its source, and whether the outlet can verify it. Claims with no source are cut or marked [SOURCE NEEDED]. 5. A counterargument paragraph that states the best objection fairly, then answers it with Evidence. 6. A specific ask: who should do what, by when (a vote, a budget line, a meeting). 7. Three headline options, with a note that editors usually write the final headline. 8. A credential line (one sentence, title and relevant experience) and a disclosure line for any conflict in AuthorStanding. 9. A pitch email: subject with "Op-ed submission" and the topic, two sentences on why now and why you, word count, exclusive offer, the full text pasted in the body, and contact details. 10. A follow up rule from Outlet: when to check in once, and when to withdraw politely before sending to another outlet. Constraints: - One argument only. Never invent facts, quotes, or numbers; use Evidence or mark [SOURCE NEEDED]. - Stay within the Outlet word limit. No em dashes.
Instructions
Replace every [bracket] with your details before running. Works on ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
Generated Output
This image was generated using the prompt above.
Examples
Example Input
Argument: the school board should keep certified librarians in all 9 elementary schools instead of replacing them with library aides in next year's budget NewsHook: board votes on the 2027 budget on Tuesday, November 17, 2026; first reading was November 3 Outlet: regional daily, 650 word limit, submit through the opinion page email listed on its site, exclusive to that paper, responds within a week if interested AuthorStanding: elementary school librarian for 14 years in the district; a member of the teachers union, which opposes the cut Evidence: district budget draft page 42 lists the change and a savings figure; the district's own reading report says 3rd grade reading proficiency fell last year; I run the district's only after school reading club, 60 students this year Audience: parents and retirees, many worried about property taxes
Example Output
1) THESIS AND WHY NOW Thesis: Keeping a certified librarian in each of our 9 elementary schools is one of the cheapest ways the district can fight falling 3rd grade reading scores. Why now: the board votes on November 17. Submit by November 6 so the editor has time to run it the week of the vote. 2) STRUCTURE AND WORD BUDGET (650 limit) | Part | Words | | Lede: a scene from the reading club | 80 | | Thesis and the vote | 70 | | Evidence 1: reading scores from the district report | 100 | | Evidence 2: what a librarian does that an aide is not trained to do | 110 | | Counterargument: taxes and the savings figure | 120 | | The ask | 80 | | Close that returns to the scene | 60 | | Total | 620 | 3) LEDE AND THESIS DRAFT Every Wednesday at 3:15, about 20 third graders crowd onto the rug in our library and argue about which book the club should read next. Some of them could not read a chapter book in September. This year, 60 students have come through that club. On November 17, the school board will vote on a budget that replaces certified librarians in our 9 elementary schools with library aides. I understand why the cut looks tempting. But at a time when the district's own report shows 3rd grade reading going the wrong way, this is the wrong place to save money. 4) EVIDENCE TABLE | Claim | Source | Verifiable? | | Budget replaces librarians with aides | District budget draft, page 42 | Yes, public document | | Savings figure | Same page | Yes, quote the exact number | | 3rd grade proficiency fell last year | District reading report | Yes, cite year and page | | 60 students in the club | Author's records | Yes, the editor may ask | | Librarians improve reading outcomes | [SOURCE NEEDED] | Cut unless you add a study | 5) COUNTERARGUMENT Many readers worry about property taxes, and they are right to ask what every line costs. The budget lists the savings on page 42. Against a drop in reading proficiency that the district itself reported, that savings is small, and it removes the one adult in each building trained to match struggling readers with the right books. [Author: add the exact savings figure here.] 6) THE ASK Board members should amend the budget at the November 17 meeting to keep the 9 librarian positions, and parents can say so during public comment that night. 7) HEADLINES (the editor will likely write the final one) - Before the board cuts librarians, look at the reading scores - Our elementary libraries need librarians, not just open doors - A small savings with a big cost for young readers 8) CREDENTIAL AND DISCLOSURE [Name] has been an elementary school librarian in the district for 14 years. She is a member of the teachers union, which opposes the proposed cut. 9) PITCH EMAIL Subject: Op-ed submission: keep librarians in our elementary schools (620 words) Hello, the board votes on the 2027 budget on November 17, and the draft replaces certified librarians in all 9 elementary schools. I have been a librarian in the district for 14 years and run its only after school reading club. The piece is 620 words, offered exclusively to you, and pasted below. [Full text] [Name, phone, email] 10) FOLLOW UP Check in once on November 10 if you have not heard back. The outlet replies within a week if interested, so if there is no answer by November 13, withdraw it politely in writing and offer it to the weekly paper that day, still ahead of the November 17 vote.