Why I Write – The Challenge of Opinions (A personal statement from one of our writers)

Those who write articles for a living must wear many hats. We must be part professional researcher, part editor, part graphic designer, and of course part writer. Additionally, being ardent observers of human behavior and the world around us helps as well. Most writing assignments are, in one way or another opinion papers. These opinions are based in part on our personal experiences and in part upon additional research we must do in preparing to write the opinion paper. As a writer and web content author, I have worked in many fields, both corporate and nonprofit. My mixed occupation background has given me insight into many different fields and into a wide variety of issues. Yes, I am one of the talented writers who may end up preparing your project. No, I am not a part of the administration staff. I am a professional writer, performing strictly ghostwriting (some of which has been professionally published in a book) such as that which our company supplies to students and business professionals.

Why I Write

Many around me in my life have asked why I have chosen a writing career. The truth is, I have found that I love to write and seem to be well above average in ability. This discovery has built into a passion; a passion for researching, writing and most importantly, self-education. I find that I thrive on learning and blossom into fulfillment through writing. Funny thing is, in school I didn’t even like answering essay questions. Through spot (contract) writing, I find my knowledge of many topics expanding and opening my eyes to the wonders of human knowledge and understanding. I find myself intrigued by many topics, pulled in a dozen different directions and driven to seek a better understanding of them. This deep desire, mixed with a dedication to providing my clients with top-notch work, drives me in my quest for excellence. Only once, as of the date this article is being written, have I received a client feedback of less than nine out of ten. Even then the client left a very positive feedback comment.

How I Write So Well

When I write, I utilize a program called “FreeMind” to help me organize my research facts and their associated citations. This allows me to properly document the sources of information in the articles and papers I write for our clients. My favorite assignments are ones where I must consider the available information on a debatable or controversial topic and offer an opinion. On some assignments the client allows me free reign to complete the assignment and offer my own opinion on the subject at hand. In others, the client states what position they wish to establish and it is up to me as the writer to find and organize materials to support their position. To date, all my clients on either type have been well pleased with my performance. To me the best part is that opinion writing is both challenging and fun! My philosophy is that true opinion writing isn’t about one being right and the other wrong, it is the opening shots of a dialog, one in which each party seeks to convince others that their opinion or viewpoint is the best available. People who cannot keep focused on the topic at hand and revert to personal attacks and character assassinations are not truly comfortable with their own opinion or viewpoint. There are many in our society that I personally do not agree with their positions and opinions (yes Rush, that includes you) but I always respect quality arguments and opinions. I feel this is important to maintaining peaceful discourse on the issue at hand. Without this level of respect no conclusion or agreement is possible.

Entering the Battlefield

Writing about controversial subjects is one almost sure way to attract readers to your articles or website. I personally try to present both sides of a given issue and then draw my own conclusions. This does reduce the controversy factor and subsequently my page-draw, but it tames my egotistical side and keeps me from needing a bigger hat. If you, on the other hand, are one who wants such controversy that is quite alright. I respect that decision and can prepare an article for you on that basis. My strength, you see, is my ability to write about almost any topic, from any angle. When I write, I write in the manner that I would want to read. And that is the manner which might cause me to question a belief or opinion I have sufficiently to warrant seeking more information or that sparks my inner passion on the issue. That is, to me, what makes a good article, and it is that quality that I seek for each and every client, regardless of their issue or position. To achieve this I avoid hate speech, stereotyping, biased pseudo-factoids or fallacious conjecture. Does this make me a better writer? I will simply continue my writing and let others decide that question. Some of our greatest writers have been humble men and women who do not seek to draw large crowds to comment on their work. Like them, I seek to build a loyal readership that respects opinions, especially when they disagree. This is how they became respected and it is how I will earn respect.

What it Takes to be an Opinion Writer

Each writer must be an intellectual warrior to write truly good opinion articles. They must be able to detach themselves to an extent from their subject (a task not easily done at times) and argue their point without losing their composure. This, I believe, is the marked difference between good and bad opinion writers. Naturally one shouldn’t write to offend, though I acknowledge that shock-jock writing does sell many tabloid newspapers. Writing, in my opinion, is about education, relaying information and stating an opinion that is backed up by facts. Those who wish to express their personal, unsupported opinions would better serve our communities as a blog writer, rather than attempting to pass themselves off as experts.

Seeking Respect

I tip my hat to those who can write in a way to entice the masses or to incite controversy within them. By all means, please continue. I love reading well written opinions that are passionate in their statements. Those who back their opinions with facts and research have my utmost respect. The talent necessary to write true opinion articles is an uncommon ability; learnable, but only through a great deal of effort. Writers like me and those who “stand” at my side in this company strive to reach this awe-inspiring pedestal. I pray that one day I shall be recognized as standing upon it and looked to for inspiration by others.