How to Be Opinion Writer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 7, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The rise of social media has had a significant impact on the way people communicate, with far-reaching consequences. With platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram becoming increasingly popular, people are now able to connect with friends and family from anywhere in the world. This has made it easier for people to stay in touch, enabling them to share their opinions, stories, and experiences with others.

However, this newfound ability to instantly share information has also had a negative impact on communication. The immediacy of social media has created an environment where people can be careless with their words and even troll each other. This has led to an overall decrease in civility and respect between people online, making it more difficult to have meaningful conversations without the fear of being attacked or ridiculed.

Steps How to Become

Develop a writing style. Opinion writing requires the opinion writer to develop a unique writing style that resonates with the readers. You should find your own voice and use it to write thoughtful and persuasive pieces that challenge dominant ideas and perspectives.
Read extensively. To become an opinion writer, you must have a deep understanding of the subject matter and the current conversations happening in that space. Reading extensively will help you gain expertise and build your knowledge base.
Practice writing. Writing opinion pieces is a skill that you must hone over time. The best way to do this is to practice writing regularly. This will help you refine your writing style, find your voice, and develop your ideas.
Connect with editors. To become an opinion writer, you must be able to get your work published. Reach out to editors of publications youd like to write for and pitch your ideas. This will help you get your work out in the world and build recognition for yourself as an opinion writer.
Be open to feedback. As an opinion writer, you must be open to constructive criticism and feedback from editors and readers. This will help you refine your writing style and grow as a writer.

The ability to be a skilled and capable worker is something that most people strive for in their careers. It requires dedication, hard work, and practice to achieve success. The most important factor in becoming a skilled and capable worker is commitment.

When someone is committed to their job, they will go the extra mile to ensure that they are doing the best job that they can. This commitment usually leads to an increase in knowledge and skills. Another key factor is practice.

It takes time to learn new skills and refine existing ones. This can be done through practice, such as taking on additional tasks or attending workshops. As people gain more experience, they will become more confident in their abilities and better able to handle various situations.

Finally, it is important to have the right attitude. A positive attitude and strong work ethic will go a long way in helping someone become a skilled and capable worker. This means putting in the effort to improve, asking questions, and learning from mistakes.

With the right attitude and commitment, anyone can become a skilled and capable worker with the right dedication and effort.

You may want to check Copy Editor, Health Reporter, and Fashion Writer for alternative.

Job Description

Research current events topics, issues and trends for opinion pieces
Write persuasive, compelling and thoughtful opinion pieces
Interview sources to gain additional insight and research for articles
Develop a unique point of view and creative ideas for opinion pieces
Keep up to date on current topics, events and issues
Monitor reaction to opinion pieces and respond to comments
Collaborate with editors and other writers to ensure quality of opinion pieces
Pitch new ideas for opinion pieces
Edit and proofread opinion pieces
Develop an understanding of target audience

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong written and verbal communication skills
Excellent research skills
Ability to present complex ideas in a clear, concise manner
Creative thinking and problem solving
Knowledge of current events and major political issues
Ability to think critically and form logical arguments
Proficiency in writing on a variety of topics
Familiarity with the principles of journalistic writing
Familiarity with editing and proofreading techniques
Knowledge of online publishing platforms

Having strong writing skills is essential for success as an opinion writer. The ability to clearly communicate ideas, present arguments, and support them with facts is essential for an effective opinion piece. The ability to express oneself confidently and persuasively and to engage readers is key to convincing them of the validity of one's opinion.

Furthermore, the ability to research topics, find reliable sources, and effectively analyze and synthesize information are crucial for creating a well-informed opinion. In addition, a strong sense of creativity, an open mind, and the ability to think critically are all necessary for crafting an engaging opinion article. it is the combination of these skills that makes a successful opinion writer.

Business Journalist, Columnist, and Photojournalist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

In your opinion, what makes a good opinion piece?
What experience do you have in researching, synthesizing and presenting opinions?
How would you approach a difficult subject when writing an opinion article?
How do you handle criticism or feedback on your opinion writing?
How do you stay up-to-date with current events and trends when writing opinion articles?
What strategies do you use to engage readers in your opinion pieces?
How do you ensure that your writing is unbiased and objective when expressing opinions?
What techniques do you use to ensure accuracy when researching for opinion articles?
How do you ensure that your opinion pieces are well-structured and organized?
How do you balance providing factual evidence and personal stories in opinion pieces?

Common Tools in Industry

Word Processing Software. A program that allows users to create, edit, format and save documents (eg: Microsoft Word, Google Docs).
Spreadsheet Software. A program for organizing and manipulating data (eg: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets).
Graphic Design Software. A program used to create and edit images, logos, and other visual elements (eg: Adobe Illustrator, Canva).
Database Software. A program that stores and organizes data (eg: Microsoft Access, MySQL).
Presentation Software. A program used to create presentations (eg: Microsoft PowerPoint, Prezi).
Web Design Software. A program used to create websites (eg: Adobe Dreamweaver, WordPress).
Content Management System (CMS). A platform used to create and manage content (eg: Drupal, Joomla).
SEO Software. A program used to optimize websites for search engine ranking (eg: Ahrefs, SEMrush).
Writing Tools. A program used to improve a writer's grammar and vocabulary (eg: Grammarly, Hemingway Editor).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Online News Association (ONA)
Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE)
Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
American Society of News Editors (ASNE)
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA)
National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)

We also have Magazine Journalist, Social Media Journalist, and Technology Writer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Editor. A person who works for a newspaper or magazine and is in charge of deciding which stories to publish.
Headline. A short phrase or sentence that summarizes the main point of a story and appears at the top of the article.
Lead. The opening sentences of an article, often summarizing the main point of the story.
Byline. The name of the writer who wrote the article, which typically appears at the top or bottom of a story.
Angle. The specific point of view that a writer takes on a particular issue or story.
Quotation. A direct quote from a source, typically used to add evidence to an article.
Hook. A sentence or two at the beginning of a story designed to draw in readers and keep them interested.
Feature Story. A longer article about a person, event, or topic, typically including interviews, quotes, and other elements to provide a more detailed look at the subject.
Op-Ed. A piece written by an opinion writer that provides commentary on current events or political issues.
Column. A regularly published piece by an opinion writer that explores topics from a particular point of view.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Opinion Writer?

Opinion Writer is a platform that allows businesses to crowdsource opinions and feedback from customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

How can Opinion Writer help my business?

Opinion Writer can help your business gain valuable insights into customer and employee experience, identify areas of improvement, and make informed decisions.

What features does Opinion Writer offer?

Opinion Writer offers a variety of features, including customizable surveys, anonymous feedback, sentiment analysis, interactive reports, and real-time notifications.

How much does Opinion Writer cost?

Opinion Writer offers several pricing plans, starting at $10/month for up to 250 users.

Is there a free trial for Opinion Writer?

Yes, Opinion Writer offers a 14-day free trial for businesses to try out the platform.

Web Resources

Opinion Writing - Newmark J-School - journalism.cuny.edu www.journalism.cuny.edu
Column and Opinion Writing | Harvard Kennedy School www.hks.harvard.edu
Writing and Submitting an Opinion Piece - State of the Planet news.climate.columbia.edu