From Research

to Opinion Articles

PRIH SARNIANTO
USAID HEALTH FINANCING ACTIVITY
12 MAY 2020
BIODATA

Prih Sarnianto
— Ph.D. [Public Health], Universitas Indonesia, Depok [2015];
M.Sc. [Food Science & Technology], University of Washington, Seattle [1988];
Drs. Apoteker, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta [1982].
— Senior Health Financing Specialist, USAID HFA, 2020‒
— Lecturer, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Pancasila, Jakarta, 1989–2020
— Special Editor, SWA Economic-Business Magazine, Jakarta, 1989–2016
— Researcher, Balai Penelitian Teknologi Perikanan Slipi, Jakarta, 1982–1998
— Commissioner, KAN Council, 2004 ‒
— Head, JKN Affairs Department, PP IAI, 2014 ‒

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OPINION ARTICLE:
WHAT IS IT AND WHAT’S FOR?

— An opinion article is an article that reflects the author’s opinion

about an issue:
Usually published in a newspaper or magazine, now also in online media
Opinion articles may take the form of:
• An editorial, usually written by the senior editor staff of the publisher
• Columns, written by a regular or guest columnist
• Op-ed [“opposite the editorial page], often written by a subject-matter
expert, a person with unique perspective on the issue or a regular asked
by the media.
— The purpose: To persuade people to your point of view.

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WHAT’S A RESEARCH TO DO
WITH OPINION ARTICLES?

— The objective of a research—any research—is to add to the existing

knowledge in the field of study
An opinion article can be an effective means to disseminate data and
information in our field of study to the public at large, with the
interpretation in accordance to our point of view.
“Research-based” opinion articles can be in the form of:
• Columns, i.e. a recurring, thematic article written by a particular writer
• Op-ed [“opposite the editorial page], an article written to enrich the
perspective or point of view on a particular issue, hence usually written
by author[s] not affiliated with the media’s editorial board
— An opinion article is not a news article, but a feature article

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RESEARCH-BASED OPINION ARTICLES:
ANOTHER FORM OF RESEARCH PAPERS?

— Nope. Opinion articles focus on a topic about which you have

personal thoughts, beliefs or feelings
The goal of an opinion article is to persuade readers that your position on
the topic is the best one. For that end you need to support your claim with
facts, statistics, real-life examples or published research studies.
To write a convincing opinion article requires some serious research.
— A research paper is a lot like a literature review—usually following a
standard format…

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ANATOMY OF THE ARTICLE
— Feature, stories behind the news

Editing a feature is a little bit be tricky since all parts of the articles form a
unified writing unit—you have to trim details of data and information
throughout the article. 6
HOW TO PRESENT
RESEARCH RESULTS EFFECTIVELY
— Fill the knowledge gap…
The broader the gap, the harder to fill. You, for example, may have to
explain the technical terms you used, but beware not to present your
ideas unnecessarily simpler than it should be.
— Use effective writing principles
Effective writing is not just communicating data and information but
conveying ideas to influence others—show them, not simply tell them.
— Make sure that the research results are presented in a quality
article
The quality of an article is determined by the quality of the ideas
conveyed, but bad writing will ruin the beauty of your ideas.
— The ideas conveyed must be a fundamental truth
Truth is multifaceted, depending on the context, and each context has
its own logic. 7
HOW TO MAKE
EFFECTIVE OPINION ARTICLES?
— Be specific
An opinion article is typically only 700 [in English may be up to 800] words,
you should only put one main idea in your article—supported by data,
information, and convincing argument[s]. You may also use a contrary
argument to show that your argument is more robust.
The opinion you convey should also be specific, showing your area of
expertise. [As a health economist, you should also show the economic
aspect of the health issues you write].
— Present new, fresh arguments or perspectives
Don’t be afraid of controversy. Don’t hesitate to go against popular opinion
to voice your belief, values, and insight—but think strategically, argue
logically, and present them in a persuasive way.
— Start with a bang, get the point fast
Open your article with the most intriguing lead, get to the point in the very
first paragraph. 8
HOW TO MAKE
EFFECTIVE OPINION ARTICLES? [2]
— Structure your argument, make your own definition
The argument will become convincing only when you explain it. Structure
your argument by first stating what your argument is—present your own
definition [regarding the issue] if it is possible, not mere reasons, and give
an example to demonstrate the argument.
Use one short paragraph to state your opinion, elaborate it with maximum
three supporting points in the next paragraphs. Your short paragraphs
should contain one main idea per paragraph.
— Offer solutions
An opinion article is not a news report which only showing the existence of
the problem. It is your opinion on the issue—so feel free to offer
recommendation or solution for the problem you are highlighting.
— Give a winning conclusion
Summing up what you have argued throughout the article, finish it off
with a polished, small paragraph that sticks in the mind of your readers. 9
THANK YOU

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ps a r n i anto @ thi nk wel l . gl obal