Op-Ed Master Class

Opinion writing for authors, journalists, scholars, and activists

Course is closed.
Op-Ed Master Class

DURATION/TIME
6 weeks
Tuesdays
September 5 - October 17
7-10 pm

LEVEL
Advanced

LOCATION
New York (Soho)

PRICE
$525 ($499 for )
more info

Course Details

The op-ed pages of major newspapers are read by the highest levels of government, can sway public opinion, and change the world. The New York Times op-ed page is called the "best real estate in the business." Those who gain access become exponentially more powerful. Op-eds also attract the attention of television producers, book agents, and policy makers. A single op-ed can jump-start a career, get you a book contract, or make you part of a national debate.

This class teaches writers, journalists, scholars, and activists how to write and publish opinion pieces. It will also provide context for thinking about the form. We will look at studies of opinion pages of newspapers over time, in order to understand patterns that work -- and to understand what kinds of pieces tend to get accepted by the most prestigious newspapers.

Students will be invited to submit an op-ed every other week for feedback, and in alternating weeks Catherine Orenstein will edit and critique the submitted op-eds with the class. The course will also supplement practical instruction with discussions of important theoretical issues, like: what exactly is "opinion writing"; writing from the point of view of gender, race, ethnicity; writing op-eds as an activist; and finding ones' voice.

In this class you can expect to learn:

  • How to generate winning ideas, how to pitch them, and how to structure articles that make an impact
  • How to use news hooks to generate winning ideas
  • How to write a quick, successful, professional pitch email
  • How to write a lede; how to buttress an argument; how to address your opposition
  • How to use standard op-ed structure

By the end of this class students can expect to have
Produced up to four 800-word opinion pieces. The goal will be to produce at least one piece that is ready to be published.

Instructor Bio

Catherine Orenstein's Courses

No courses available at this time.

Catherine Orenstein
Journalist and author Catherine Orenstein has contributed to the op-ed pages of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Miami Herald. Her opinion pieces on women's politics, popular culture, and Latin America have run on the Knight-Ridder newswire and have been published in anthologies. Her first book, Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality & the Evolution of a Fairy Tale, follows a fairy tale through time -- from the werewolf trials of old Europe to the movies of modern Hollywood -- to trace our changing ideas about women, sexuality, and morality. It has been translated into multiple languages and featured in national newspapers and magazines, on CNN, ABC-TV's "World News Now," and NPR's "All Things Considered."

Testimonials


You need to add another item to your list of what an op-ed can do for you -- get you a new job! I applied for a job at a magazine and got the job, in large part as a result of my [New York Post] op-ed, which the editor-in-chief said distinguished me from the rest of the other applicants that were in the running. Needless to say, this would not have come about if not for your incredibly helpful class. Taking your class was one of the best professional decisions I have made. -- K. Falkenberg, media lawyer

"I thought the class was wonderful. Katie is very dynamic and truly commited to motivating her students from an emotional and not just intellectul POV, which I think is crucial since so much of what goes into being a successful writer is gaining confidence and having the right attitude. She was focused on the end goal?getting published?and worked every angle to try and get us there!" -- Daisy Okas, former student

"I would highly recommend the Op-Ed Master Class. Katie Orenstein raises the bar for all attending the class. The expectation is for each one of her students to publish in The New York Times or other major publications. At first, I thought it was impossible; but given Katie's fierce devotion to the craft and to the class, it's now a personal, and hopefully obtainable, goal. She inspires serious thinking, contrarian points of view, and precision writing. Be prepared to take a hard look at yourself: not only as a writer but as a persuasive opinionist." -- Pete Dorogoff, media consultant, iProCommunications.com

"I must admit that when I enrolled in Katie Orenstein's Master Class in Op-ed Writing, I thought that "Op-" stood for opinion. Needless to say, I soon learned otherwise. I also learned that Katie was going to be a tough but superb teacher. (My piece) "Writing Wrongs" was published on the front page of the Outlook section of the Washington Post on Sunday, January 15th. Along with the tremendous feedback I received, the opportunity has opened many doors for me as a freelance writer. I am thankful that Katie's guidance and support facilitated my early success in what I hope will be a life-long career in journalism. -- Bess Kargman, freelance writer, multimedia producer and author of "Writing Wrongs", the most emailed article on the day of its publication

"I enjoyed the class very much. A lot of ground was covered, we received very helpful and useful handouts and held many lively discussions in class. One class, where Katie invited fellow op-ed columnists as guest speakers, was particularly outstanding and a wonderful enriching experience. Katie never did tire of telling us that we should believe in our abilities and overcome our fears to pitch our op-eds. She helped us define our areas of expertise and kept pushing us to just write and pitch, encouraging us to just go out and try. I have written two publishable op-eds that I am submitting now. Katie has been there along the way to help me in any way she could." -- Tekla Szymanski, former student

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