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The night before we print opinions
This is the last of four posts in which Spec Opinion explains how we receive, edit, and choose outside submissions for publication. Here, we explain what happens on the night before submissions go to print.
Before every night of production begins, the editorial page editor will draw up a budget for the opinion pages in the following day’s paper. The amount of outside content—op-eds and letters to the editor—we run on any given day depends on the amount of internal content we have scheduled. Columns and staff editorials go to print on a regular schedule and we give them priority for logistical reasons. Once space for regular content is allocated, we fill the remaining space with op-eds and letters. More »
How we edit and budget opinions
This is the third of four posts in which Spec Opinion explains how we receive, edit, and choose outside submissions for publication. Here, we explain which submissions get priority and the editing process they undergo before they are published in the paper.
When we receive an op-ed submission, it is assigned to an associate editor who makes edits and suggestions for grammar, style, and clarity. The associate also works with the writer to ensure that facts are correctly used and verifiable by reputable sources. From this point on, the assigned associate serves as the main point of contact between Spectator and the author of the submission. More »
How we receive opinions
This is the second of four posts in which Spec Opinion explains how we receive, edit, and choose outside submissions for publication. Here, we explain how op-eds come to us.
The opinion page, unlike the rest of the paper, relies on content from contributors not on Spectator’s staff. Though a group of columnists and an editorial board fill a portion of the page each day, we rely on writing from the community in the form of op-eds to fill the rest.
As an associate editor, it is my responsibility to find these op-eds each week. And, as you might imagine, it’s more difficult than assigning a staff writer for content. Though we’d like to have the reader base of the New York Times and the volume of unsolicited op-ed submissions such an audience would bring, the reality is that we rely on an op-ed recruitment process.
Here’s how it works: More »
How we find opinions
This is the first of four posts in which Spec Opinion explains how we receive, edit, and choose outside submissions for publication. Look out for the next three in the coming week.
The editorial page, otherwise known as the opinion page, prints four types of content: staff editorials, regular columns, op-eds, and letters to the editor.
Staff editorials are written by Spectator’s editorial board. The editorial board is different from the managing board. Most of the members on the editorial board are not editors—their sole responsibility is to determine the official editorial (opinion) voice of the paper. More »
Our CCSC E Board debate is in less than 2 hours
Voting for CCSC candidates starts tomorrow, and Spectator is helping you make a more informed decision. Drop by the Satow Room in Lerner at 6:30 p.m. for our Q&A session with the two groups running for executive board—The 212 and The Block Party. There’ll be pizza! And drinks!
Meanwhile, brush up on your CCSC knowledge here and check out the list of candidates here.
We’re hosting a CCSC debate next Sunday. What do you want to know?
Campaigning has begun, and Spectator is here to bring you everything you need to know about the candidates running to lead Columbia College Student Council. We’re happy to announce that we’ll again be taking part in the race by hosting a debate between the two parties running for executive board, Block Party and The 212.
What should we ask them? Take a moment and tell us here, and then join us for the debate and Q+A next Sunday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m. in Lerner Satow Room.
See you then! In the meantime, remind yourself who’s running, and check out what’s gone down in CCSC this year here.