Forming and holding opinions on different topics is something that is instilled within all of us. As social networking sites increase, many find themselves reading a variety of people’s opinions on a daily basis. However, what does it take to have an opinion piece published by a professional source? We see them everywhere: movie reviews, CD reviews, fashion columns, sports columns, political columns, editorial cartoons – and the list goes on.

Since this style is written based on the columnist’s personal views, opinion writing is the most controversial form of writing. Consequently, it is extraordinarily crucial to have the facts that are used within the piece to be accurate, as this can hurt the writer’s credibility, or, if writing about a person, can result in a legal case of libel or slander.

First and foremost, it is important for the writer to select a topic that they have a strong interest or opinion for. This way, the writer is already familiar and passionate about the topic, giving the piece a stronger voice. The writer must also have knowledge of the opposing side’s views so it is clear why the writer disagrees with them.

Once the topic has been selected, the writing must be grammatically correct. Readers will not take a columnist seriously who has errors throughout the piece.

Next, contact editors of local newspapers or magazines. The columnist should not be disappointed if a piece is rejected, as many publications have regular columnists. Examine the particular publication’s writing styles and target audiences. It is also helpful to choose current, controversial topics. Keep submitting until you see your opinions in print!

Ask yourself if you write well. Don't be embarrassed if your grammatical knowledge is slightly under par; simply study and practice correct writing. Although publications do have copy editors, you don't want to be "that person" who gives them headaches! This is particularly important to those who are trying to get their pieces published for the first time, as the editors reading will not be as impressed with a writer who has multiple errors as the one who has one or none. There are an indefinite amount of available resources out there to assist you, such as webgrammar.com or quickanddirtytips.com. The majority of writing software such as Microsoft Word or WordPerfect have spell check tools, however, they don’t catch all of the errors (example: their, there, and they’re). So, what are you waiting for? Get practicing!

Now, here’s the easy part: selecting a topic to write about. In opinion writing, it’s particularly important to have a strong voice throughout your writing. If readers fell as though you don’t truly care about what point you’re trying to make, they won’t either. Think of yourself as a football coach before a big game: you really want to fire up a crowd and get them to feel as strongly about it as you do. As a coach yells to his team, you want to yell at your readers – just with credible facts and no cussing (unless it’s tasteful, of course)!

So, how do you put so much power behind your writer’s voice? Simple: choose a topic that you are extremely passionate about. If you’re a strong gay rights activist, write about why homosexuals deserve their rights! If you noticed a particularly hideous new fashion trend, write about why people shouldn’t wear it! The more power and emotion behind the writing, the more interesting and invigorating it will be. If you are ever truly unable to think of an idea, watch the news, flip through a magazine or newspaper and see if there are any stories that make your blood boil. It is also helpful to write about current controversial topics – no harm in adding a little fuel to the fire in opinion writing!

At last, the final and most challenging step: getting published. If this is your first time getting published, your best chance would be to contact local and smaller publications, as the majority of larger publications have regular columnists. Also, it’s important to build your writing portfolio to show larger publications your past experience as well as writing samples. Speak with editors in your town so you can introduce yourself and get your name out there. Familiarize yourself with the publication so you’re aware of who their target audience is and what issues they discuss. When you have done this, write your piece so it fits with their publication. Do not be discouraged if you are rejected the first time or even a few times – other columnists don’t want to make room for you and will work even harder to maintain their space. Consequently, that means you’ll have to work harder, too.

If you continue getting rejected, attempt to set up an appointment with an editor and discuss your piece with them. Inquire about what improvement you could make to your writing in order to get published. Show the editor how motivated you are to get published and continue submitting pieces regularly. If you play your cards right, your words will be published for others to read!