Finding your Op-Ed writing voice

I am in a whirlwind today so I'll have to take a blog shortcut of a quick post with a link to a fantastic article from the New York Times this morning. "Stop the Presses, Boys! Women claim space on Op-Ed Pages" profiles Catherine Orenstein, a writer and activist who teaches women the techniques of editorial opinion-piece writing. Don't let the cheesy headline turn you off--this is an important, well-written article.

Orenstein says of editorial writing, "It's a teachable form. It's not like writing Hemingway. You show people the basics of a good argument, what constitutes good evidence, what's a news hook, what's the etiquette of a pitch."

Many women are never taught these key structures and formulas, yet we need to learn them if our voices are to to be included in media coverage of all the key issues of the day.

The Times feature shares enough of Orenstein's tips that you'll learn just from reading this piece. I'll be on the lookout for opportunities to bring you more of Catherine Orenstein's wisdom.