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How to write good articles for The Opinion

An easy guide to writing a good story

We value quality content — fresh ideas, unique perspectives, varied voices, smart thinking — and believe readers do, too. Here are the elements our editorial team considers in evaluating story quality:

• Does the story meet high writing standards? — Is it well-written, easy to follow, free of errors, appropriately sourced, narratively strong, and compelling? Are the sources provided reliable?
• Does it add value for the reader? — Does it share new insights or perspectives? Offer an original take on a familiar issue? Does it stir emotions and/or thinking? Provide meaningful advice? Enrich a reader’s understanding of the topic? Does it feel like time well spent?
• Is it written for the reader? — Is the story written with the reader in mind? Does the story make a connection with the reader or to a larger issue?
• Is it complete? — Is it a finished, polished piece of work? Considered? Concise? Will a reader walk away satisfied?
• Is it rigorous? — Are claims supported? Sources cited alongside stated facts? Does the story hold up to scrutiny?
• Is it honest? — Is the story written in good faith? Is it truthful? Is it an original work and not plagiarised above 20%?
• Does it offer a good reading experience? — Is it properly formatted for the web/mobile? Does it have a clear and relevant headline that lets the reader know what the story is about? An easily readable story body — paragraphs/spacing/styling/section breaks/quotes?
• Is the imagery appropriate? — Is the imagery relevant and appropriate to the story? Is the imagery free to use?

If the answers to each of the questions above is- YES! Then your article is perfect for publication.

Disqualification

We do not publish articles that are violative of Medium’s Publication Policy.

In reviewing stories, editors are not looking for an absence of disqualifications; they are looking for the presence of quality.

• Stories that promote intolerance or prejudice against individuals or groups, including the use of scientific or pseudoscientific claims to pathologize, dehumanize, or disempower others.
• Stories that glorify, celebrate, downplay, or trivialize violence, suffering, abuse, or deaths.
• Stories that exist mainly to target, shame, intimidate or harass identified, identifiable, or anonymous people.
• Plagiarism/“borrowing” content without citation. Maximum Plagiarism allowed is 20 per cent.
• Poor Paraphrasing
• Undisclosed reference links
• Nudity that is not content-supportive; it must be appropriate and tasteful to the story and is not allowed in the feature image
• Violent, graphic, or offensive images or videos
• Promotion of self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders
• Pseudoscience or questionable health/medical/diet claims
• Conspiracy theories
• Unsubstantiated accusations of illegal or unethical behaviour
• Including personal or private information without permission (includes personal communications)

Disqualifying headlines including:

• No headline
• All-caps headline
• Typos in headline
• Links in headline
• No profanity (exceptions for demonstrable necessity)

Standard headline styling is title case for the headline and sentence case for the subtitle. This isn’t required but is ideal.