Op Op-Ed
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How useful are Op-Eds, individually and in general? Can they be counterproductive? More broadly harmful? What criteria tend to determine if an Op-Ed is likely to improve understanding, topical or interpersonal? Given their frequent dearth of analytical rigor and substantiating evidence, how often do Op-Eds serve as little more than an emotional outlet?
Evaluative Criteria: author, author role, context, clarity, consistency, explanatory power, type, length, evidence, citations/links, arguments (pro, anti, explanatory, human interest, ad hominem), timeliness, rationality