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That's What You Think: A Practical Guide to Writing Compelling Op-Eds and Short Memoirs
As the Opinion Page editor at the Toronto Star , Scott Colby receives dozens of op-ed submissions every day from writers wanting their opinions published in Canada’s largest circulation newspaper. Demand is high and space is limited, which led to a question Scott is frequently What makes a good op-ed? The cheat sheet he put together for writers wanting an edge became the genesis for this book.
Writing compelling op-eds is a skill that can be learned. In this practical guide Scott explains the importance of op-eds, how to express opinions effectively, how the process works at news organizations and how not to alienate the editors you want to impress. Scott also stresses that in today's political climate, not everyone will agree with your opinion or want to hear your opinion, so writers must be prepared for a backlash.
Many op-eds are written as memoirs, because sharing personal anecdotes is an effective way of drawing in readers to make a point and share insights. The second part of That’s What You Think focuses on writing short memoirs. Memoir is one of the most popular forms of writing because we love to be invited into each other’s lives. Your short memoir does not have to be an op-ed destined for a news outlet or personal blog — although it can be.
In That’s What You Think , Scott encourages anyone with a story to share it. Personal stories will always gather value over time. So, take the time to get your ideas down on paper or on a screen and craft your stories. In That’s What You Think , Scott shows how to do it and why you need to get started now.
“I’ve written scores of opinion pieces and two biographies. I’ve always been struck by how little has been written about these crafts — especially when you look at the volume of literature on creative writing and reportorial journalism. Scott Colby closes that gap for both op-eds and short memoirs. Read this before you start writing in either genre.”
— Paul Adams, associate professor, Carleton University School of Journalism
“If you have ever struggled to make your case effectively, this is the book for you. With real-world examples of successful, persuasive writing and illuminating critiques of common pitfalls, Scott Colby shows us how to craft compelling arguments and short memoirs. He shows us how to be heard.”
— Sharon Oosthoek, freelance writer, editor and member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and Science Writers and Communicators of Canada
“ Everyone has an opinion, but Scott Colby, a longtime opinion editor at Canada’s largest newspaper, explains in a simple and engaging way how to make your opinion matter to the masses. A must read for anyone vying for competitive space on op-ed pages worldwide.”
— Leah Eichler, writer and publisher of Esoterica Magazine
Writing compelling op-eds is a skill that can be learned. In this practical guide Scott explains the importance of op-eds, how to express opinions effectively, how the process works at news organizations and how not to alienate the editors you want to impress. Scott also stresses that in today's political climate, not everyone will agree with your opinion or want to hear your opinion, so writers must be prepared for a backlash.
Many op-eds are written as memoirs, because sharing personal anecdotes is an effective way of drawing in readers to make a point and share insights. The second part of That’s What You Think focuses on writing short memoirs. Memoir is one of the most popular forms of writing because we love to be invited into each other’s lives. Your short memoir does not have to be an op-ed destined for a news outlet or personal blog — although it can be.
In That’s What You Think , Scott encourages anyone with a story to share it. Personal stories will always gather value over time. So, take the time to get your ideas down on paper or on a screen and craft your stories. In That’s What You Think , Scott shows how to do it and why you need to get started now.
“I’ve written scores of opinion pieces and two biographies. I’ve always been struck by how little has been written about these crafts — especially when you look at the volume of literature on creative writing and reportorial journalism. Scott Colby closes that gap for both op-eds and short memoirs. Read this before you start writing in either genre.”
— Paul Adams, associate professor, Carleton University School of Journalism
“If you have ever struggled to make your case effectively, this is the book for you. With real-world examples of successful, persuasive writing and illuminating critiques of common pitfalls, Scott Colby shows us how to craft compelling arguments and short memoirs. He shows us how to be heard.”
— Sharon Oosthoek, freelance writer, editor and member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and Science Writers and Communicators of Canada
“ Everyone has an opinion, but Scott Colby, a longtime opinion editor at Canada’s largest newspaper, explains in a simple and engaging way how to make your opinion matter to the masses. A must read for anyone vying for competitive space on op-ed pages worldwide.”
— Leah Eichler, writer and publisher of Esoterica Magazine
190 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 31, 2023
Scott Colby is my brother but he is also one of my favourite writers. Scott's writing is tight, accessible, and fun to read. I laughed out loud several times.
As the opinion's page editor for the Toronto Star, Scott is one of the most knowledgable people in the world about the craft of writing an opinion piece. He's shared his advice in this excellent book. The book is full of useful takeaways for anyone wishing to express their opinions better.
"That's What You Think" is not only a practical guide to writing an op-ed piece or a short memoir, it's an inspiration to tell your own stories. But you don't have to be an excellent writer like Scott to take his lead and start jotting down your own thoughts. As Scott says in the book, he's not a fan of perfect.
The last section of the book contains short stories, which Scott critiques, that not only illustrate Scott's advice, they show why it's important to document your own experiences. The stories are moving and insightful. They also show how personal stories can be handed down over generations to create family legacies. This is where the book goes to another level. "That's What You Think" will be the spark that ignites many storytellers. So pick up this book and get started.
As the opinion's page editor for the Toronto Star, Scott is one of the most knowledgable people in the world about the craft of writing an opinion piece. He's shared his advice in this excellent book. The book is full of useful takeaways for anyone wishing to express their opinions better.
"That's What You Think" is not only a practical guide to writing an op-ed piece or a short memoir, it's an inspiration to tell your own stories. But you don't have to be an excellent writer like Scott to take his lead and start jotting down your own thoughts. As Scott says in the book, he's not a fan of perfect.
The last section of the book contains short stories, which Scott critiques, that not only illustrate Scott's advice, they show why it's important to document your own experiences. The stories are moving and insightful. They also show how personal stories can be handed down over generations to create family legacies. This is where the book goes to another level. "That's What You Think" will be the spark that ignites many storytellers. So pick up this book and get started.
Displaying 1 of 1 review