The Chicago Sun-Times opinion pages are a place for robust, respectful debate on issues of the day. We welcome guest essays that will bring a variety of perspectives and diverse voices — not an echo chamber of the same points of view — to the paper.
Op-eds and Letters to the Editor are handled by the Sun-Times Editorial Board.
Op-eds are guest essays that are published in the “Other Views” section. These essays can take a variety of forms: expert analysis and fact-based argument on an important matter of public interest; engaging commentary on current events; a call to action; or even a first-person, perhaps humorous, essay.
Regardless of its form, an op-ed should be well-written, thought-provoking, insightful and engaging, without angry tirades or personal attacks. Ideally, a good opinion piece will challenge readers to think about something — a policy proposal, a news event, a controversial social or cultural topic — in a new and unexpected way.
If you are writing to respond to a news story, a Sun-Times editorial or an op-ed that has already been published, the appropriate format is a letter to the editor of up to 375 words. Guidelines for submitting a letter are below.
Here are guidelines for submitting an op-ed:
- Email your submission to opinions@suntimes.com.
- Submissions should be between 600 — 750 words. It is best to include the full op-ed within the body of your email, as sending attachments can sometimes cause your email to be screened out as spam.
- The author(s) should include his or her name and brief bio, plus an email and contact number(s). Include no more than two co-authors (we may make exceptions — rarely).
- Only completed submissions will be reviewed. Do not send drafts, outlines or pitches.
- Submissions should be exclusive to the Sun-Times. We don’t accept op-eds submitted to multiple outlets at the same time. Of course, if we decide not to publish your piece, you are then free to submit elsewhere.
- Include links to source material for any factual assertions.
- If your piece is time-sensitive — for example, an essay tied to Memorial Day — please submit no later than a week in advance.`
- We reserve the right to copy edit or lightly trim articles as needed for clarity.
- We make every effort to read submissions and get back to writers within 7 business days. Due to the volume of submissions, that’s not always possible. If you do not hear from us within 7 business days, you can assume we have decided to take a pass on your article.
Looking for additional tips on writing? Check out The Op-Ed Project, a nonprofit that offers workshops and writing resources.
Send us your letters
A letter to the editor is the appropriate forum for reader views on current events and popular topics, and for responses on already-published Sun-Times editorials and opinion pieces. Here’s how to submit that letter.
- Letters should be sent to letters@suntimes.com or through our online form here.
- To be considered for publication, letters must include your full name, your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes.
- Length is no more than 375 words.
- We will lightly edit letters for clarity, typos, grammar and space.