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March 24

Difference between "Op-Ed" and "Opinion"

Hi there! What's the difference between an "Op-Ed" and "Opinion" article in journalism"? Thanks! 🐶 EpicPupper ^{(he/him | talk)} 23:13, 24 March 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Op-ed explains this: the "op" isn't even short for opinion, although these tend to be opinion pieces, but they are specifically opinion pieces that run contrary (in fact, opposite) to the editorial board's own opinions. Well, at least, they are positioned opposite. Not affiliated, as the article says. Card Zero (talk) 23:20, 24 March 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks! 🐶 EpicPupper ^{(he/him | talk)} 23:33, 24 March 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I think that historically "opposite" refers to opinion pieces that were printed on the page opposite the editorial page. While editorials may be considered the opinion of (the editorial board of) the newspaper, no such ascription can be made for op-eds. But this does not mean the opinions in an op-ed are necessarily contrary to those of the newspaper. Often, they are opinions regarding an issue on which the newspaper does not (yet) have an "official" opinion. Sometimes a newspaper will invite two op-eds with opposing viewpoints and run them side by side. --Lambiam 09:36, 25 March 2022 (UTC)[reply]

In response to the original question: all op-eds are opinion pieces, but some opinion pieces are not op-eds. Specifically, editorials are by definition not op-eds. There is no strict conceptual division between op-eds and letters to the editor, but the former often have the style and length of an essay and may be invited, while letters are (supposed to be) uninvited and published letters – published in a separate section – are typically subject to stringent size restrictions and need not express opinions. --Lambiam 09:48, 25 March 2022 (UTC)[reply]