A newspaper's opinion section is all about stirring emotion, elevating conversations
Idiotic or compelling, one-sided or awe-inspiring — these are samples of the range of reactions readers may have when they read viewpoints on our opinion page. That’s to be expected, because our opinion page provides a forum for an exchange of ideas and offers different perspectives on current or ongoing issues.
Shared opinions offer a supplement to our news stories, where ideas shared may be different from the ones you and your own circle holds. And that should be okay.
As a news assistant for the Lansing State Journal, I come in to contact firsthand with people submitting viewpoints electronically — I also answer the phone, and provide information on our viewpoint guidelines verbally. I often read messages and hear from folks who are passionate about an issue and want to write an opinion piece they want published in the paper or online.
There are also those who offer their passionate reactions to these opinions, too. And there are still plenty of times when I hear from people who confuse news vs. opinion.
In these days of evolving media, there is often a blur between news stories and opinion pieces in national outlets. News stories are written by journalists, people who vet information from reliable sources and ensure accuracy without advocating for any one side or view. Opinion pieces are more personal, written by a community member sharing themselves as a source and often promoting a single view.
For those who are impassioned to share a viewpoint, the Lansing State Journal may have an outlet for you. Passion and strong feelings about an issue are good, but that is not enough. So, what makes a good viewpoint?
Here are a few tips:
1. Localize it to Greater Lansing. There are many global, national and statewide issues that generate a strong opinion in folks, but how does it affect us here locally and is there any local action that can be taken?
2. Expertise and experience count. Can you speak about the issue from a personal perspective? Do you have a personal story related to the issue? Do you have professional expertise or volunteer experience that gives the piece extra validity?
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3. Be civil, don’t be mean. All opinion content will be disqualified if it includes libel, personal attacks, racism, misogyny, homophobic or transphobic remarks, excessive profanity or inaccuracy. Basically anyone being mean, you can disagree or share a countering opinion without rudeness.
More specific details on submitting viewpoints and letters to the editor are available in our guidelines and FAQs.
Please keep in mind not all submissions are published or acknowledged, but we love hearing from all of our communities regardless of background, economics, race, religion, ethnicity, gender or age. Submissions can be sent to me at opinions@lsj.com.
Jayne Higo is a news assistant who helps coordinate the opinion section at the Lansing State Journal, among other duties. Contact her at dhigo@lsj.com or 517.377.1192.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: People of Greater Lansing: Being passionate is not enough
