Guidance for Opinion/Thought Leadership Piece
Contribute to Our Blog: Share Your Expert Opinion & Spark New Thinking!
Dear Experts, Thought Leaders, and Innovators in African Education,
The EduLens Africa blog is a dynamic space for insightful perspectives and bold ideas that can shape the future of education across the continent. We invite you to contribute an opinion or thought leadership piece that addresses this question directly:
“Do you have a unique perspective or a bold idea that could spark new thinking in African education?”
We are looking for well-reasoned arguments, provocative insights, and fresh approaches that challenge conventional wisdom and encourage constructive dialogue among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
IMPORTANT: Submit Your Pitch First!
To ensure alignment with our editorial focus and to maximize your writing efforts, we utilize a two-step submission process. Please begin by sending us a concise pitch for your piece.
Step 1: Your Initial Pitch (What to Send First)
Your pitch should clearly articulate the core idea and its potential impact.
Your Pitch Should Include:
- Working Title: A compelling and clear title that hints at your unique perspective or bold idea.
- Core Argument/Thesis (3-5 sentences): Clearly state your main argument or the bold idea you will explore. What new thinking do you aim to spark?
- Why It’s Unique/Relevant Now: Briefly explain why this perspective is fresh, timely, or particularly important for African education at this moment.
- Key Takeaways: 1-2 primary insights or calls to action you want readers to gain from your piece.
- Your Name, Title & Affiliation: A brief introduction to your expertise.
A compelling and clear title that hints at your unique perspective or bold idea.
Clearly state your main argument or the bold idea you will explore. What new thinking do you aim to spark?
Briefly explain why this perspective is fresh, timely, or particularly important for African education at this moment.
1-2 primary insights or calls to action you want readers to gain from your piece.
A brief introduction to your expertise.
Step 2: Full Piece Guidelines (For Accepted Pitches Only)
If your pitch is accepted, we will invite you to develop the full opinion/thought leadership piece following these guidelines. Your piece should be engaging, well-reasoned, and forward-looking.
Your Full Piece Should Cover:
1. The Bold Idea / Unique Perspective:
- Clearly articulate your central argument, unique perspective, or bold idea early in the piece. What is the status quo, and what new thinking are you proposing?
Clearly articulate your central argument, unique perspective, or bold idea early in the piece. What is the status quo, and what new thinking are you proposing?
2. Why It Matters Now:
- Contextualize your idea within the current landscape of African education. Why is this perspective crucial or timely for advancing education on the continent? What problem does it aim to solve, or what opportunity does it highlight?
Contextualize your idea within the current landscape of African education. Why is this perspective crucial or timely for advancing education on the continent? What problem does it aim to solve, or what opportunity does it highlight?
3. Supporting Your Argument:
- Support your opinion with logical reasoning, relevant (but not overly academic) evidence, compelling examples, or insights drawn from your professional experience. While it’s an opinion piece, a strong foundation enhances its credibility.
Support your opinion with logical reasoning, relevant (but not overly academic) evidence, compelling examples, or insights drawn from your professional experience. While it's an opinion piece, a strong foundation enhances its credibility.
4. Implications & Call to Thought:
- What are the implications of your idea? What kind of new thinking, discussion, or action do you hope your piece will inspire among readers (e.g., policymakers, researchers, practitioners)?
- Conclude with a thought-provoking statement or a clear call for reflection or action.
What are the implications of your idea? What kind of new thinking, discussion, or action do you hope your piece will inspire among readers (e.g., policymakers, researchers, practitioners)?
Conclude with a thought-provoking statement or a clear call for reflection or action.
5. Acknowledging Nuance (Optional but Recommended):
- Briefly acknowledge potential complexities or counter-arguments to your idea, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Briefly acknowledge potential complexities or counter-arguments to your idea, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Tips for a Powerful Opinion Piece:
- Be Direct & Engaging: Start strong to hook the reader. Your language should be authoritative but accessible.
- Focus on Your Voice: This is your perspective. Let your unique insights shine through.
- Clear Argument: Ensure your main point is easy to follow from beginning to end.
- Avoid Jargon: While you are an expert, write for a broad, informed audience. Explain complex concepts simply.
- Concise Length: Aim for 600-1000 words for the full piece.
- High-Quality Visuals (Highly Encouraged!): If possible, include relevant images (with captions and photo credits!) that illustrate your ideas. Please ensure you have permission to use them.
Start strong to hook the reader. Your language should be authoritative but accessible.
This is your perspective. Let your unique insights shine through.
Ensure your main point is easy to follow from beginning to end.
While you are an expert, write for a broad, informed audience. Explain complex concepts simply.
Aim for 600-1000 words for the full piece.
If possible, include relevant images (with captions and photo credits!) that illustrate your ideas. Please ensure you have permission to use them.
How to Submit Your Piece:
- For Pitches: Please email your brief pitch to: opinions@edulensafrica.org. In the subject line, use: “Blog Pitch: Expert Opinion – [Your Name]”. We will review your pitch and respond within [e.g., 5-7 business days].
- For Full Pieces (by invitation): If your pitch is accepted, please email your full submission (ideally in a Word document) and any accompanying images to the same address.
- Include: For the full piece, please also provide a short bio (2-3 sentences highlighting your relevant expertise) and a professional headshot of yourself.
Please email your brief pitch to: opinions@edulensafrica.org. In the subject line, use: "Blog Pitch: Expert Opinion - [Your Name]". We will review your pitch and respond within [e.g., 5-7 business days].
If your pitch is accepted, please email your full submission (ideally in a Word document) and any accompanying images to the same address.
For the full piece, please also provide a short bio (2-3 sentences highlighting your relevant expertise) and a professional headshot of yourself.
We look forward to featuring your unique perspectives and contributing to the dialogue on African education!
