1.) Pick a theme. What about the Public Service Academy appeals to you? Which aspects of the pitch drew you to become involved? Was it that it was tuition free? Or how about the idea of service? You can similarly go with something that’s very current and in the news: Did the President recently sign a service bill? Are people talking about service more? Did someone in your community recently endorse the Academy? Find an interesting angle, or a “hook” and go for it.
2.) Make an outline. Lay out your thoughts. A good general outline would be: 1-2 paragraph intro, or ‘hook;’ approx. 2 paragraphs explaining the Academy; 2-3 paragraphs about why readers should support the Academy; and a conclusion.
3.) Write a piece. Use your outline and flesh it out. The ‘hook’ should tell readers why this is current: students are feeling pressure from loans; 4th of July brings about patriotic feelings; a memory or a reason why you personally support this. Then, write 1-2 paragraphs about the history of the Academy: why Shawn and Chris started it; how George Washington first proposed the idea; how it’s gained bipartisan support from people like Hillary Clinton and Mike Huckabee; what organizations or local leaders have endorsed it, how many co-sponsors we currently have in Congress. Next comes the reasons why: these should be personal, but well-fleshed-out. Think about the reasons you decided to support the Academy, as well as what reasons you think will persuade your audience. These can include financial reasons, pragmatic reasons, or idealistic reasons. Then, write a conclusion that ties in with your opening. The piece should be no longer than 700 words.
4.) Get in contact with your newspaper. Contact the op-ed editor, or the letters editor, to ask them to run the piece (do a little digging to find an address that goes to a person and not a mailbox). Attach the letter. Explain in your email why you think USPSA would be interesting to their readers. Email them back 2 days later. If they still haven’t replied 2 days after that, call the newspaper and ask them how the piece is. All this contact will show them that you’re serious, and chances are they’ll run the piece.
5.) Sit back and enjoy! Show your mom, your neighbors, and all your friends the piece. Be prepared to get a few emails, and answer those inquiries appropriately.