The section of a newspaper that holds the most power for change and discourse is the Opinion section. Unlike our other three sections at The Tiger — News, TimeOut and Sports — Opinion writers do not strictly cover events or news that happened in the area; they cover their interpretations.
Opinion pieces are, by definition, the opinion of the writer. In a column, they share their stance on a subject, issue or topic, regardless of whether everyone has the same take as them. Successful opinions should encourage a multifaceted discussion around a subject, shed light on a potentially underrepresented problem and expose readers to new perspectives.
Not every opinion will resonate with every reader, and that’s the point. We want to provide a nuanced angle on a subject that isn’t often touted, thereby exposing our readers to issues we find important. If you don’t agree, we invite you to engage in a productive conversation with us around the topic.
Above all, though, opinions should be respected and the discussion around them constructive. Throughout this semester, we’ve received messages on some of our opinion pieces claiming they are “biased” and thus unsuccessful. In fact, it’s the very opposite. An opinion is inherently biased, and a great opinion piece should be grounded in a writer’s stance. When a writer puts their opinion out on paper, they’re taking the step to bring attention to an issue they value. We should recognize them for making the leap, even if they don’t hold the same stance.
You don’t have to agree with the column, but you should respect the writer’s right to hold their own opinion and share it in our pages. Be open to what they have to say, and allow the opinion to do its job and challenge your preconceived notions.
If you feel strongly about the coverage of a topic we’ve reported on, submit a letter to the editor expressing your thoughts. If there’s an issue relevant to the community you believe should be addressed, send in a guest column. Challenge our audience and provoke them to new ideas.
Our opinion section shouldn’t present the same ideas to you; it can only be successful in promoting discourse when the subjects and angles are as diverse as this community. A great opinion piece takes a well-researched, definitive stance on a subject and prompts the audience to reassess what they believe. A great opinion piece has bias. A great opinion piece generates diverse discourse.
Caroline Block is a junior English major from Mobile, Alabama. Caroline can be reached at [email protected]
