What You Can Learn From Reading Wall Street Journal Essays
Wall Street Journal Essays: A Guide for Writers and Readers
The Wall Street Journal is one of the most influential and respected newspapers in the world, covering a wide range of topics from business and finance to politics and culture. But did you know that the WSJ also publishes essays on various issues and ideas that shape our society and our lives?
wall street journal essays
In this article, we will explore what Wall Street Journal essays are, how to write them, and how to read them. Whether you are a writer who wants to submit your work to the WSJ, or a reader who wants to learn more from the WSJ essays, this guide will help you understand and appreciate this form of journalism.
What are Wall Street Journal essays?
Wall Street Journal essays are short pieces of nonfiction writing that express the author's opinion or perspective on a specific topic. They are usually published in the Opinion & Reviews section of the WSJ website or in the print edition under the headings "The Saturday Essay" or "Essay".
The history and purpose of WSJ essays
The WSJ has been publishing essays since its founding in 1889, but they became more prominent and frequent in the 1970s, when the paper expanded its coverage beyond business news. The purpose of WSJ essays is to provide insightful analysis, commentary, and criticism on current events, trends, issues, and ideas that affect our world.
According to Paul Gigot, the editor of the WSJ editorial page, WSJ essays aim to "challenge conventional wisdom, stimulate debate, and enlighten readers". They also reflect the editorial philosophy of the WSJ, which is generally conservative and pro-market, but also independent and open-minded.
The types and topics of WSJ essays
WSJ essays can be classified into two main types: personal essays and argumentative essays. Personal essays are based on the author's personal experience, observation, or reflection. They often tell a story or share a lesson learned from a particular situation or event. Argumentative essays are based on the author's logical reasoning, research, or evidence. They often make a claim or propose a solution to a problem or question.
WSJ essays can cover a variety of topics, such as politics, economics, culture, science, technology, health, education, history, religion, sports, art, literature, etc. Some examples of recent WSJ essays are:
"What Engagement With China Has Meant for Me" by Lingling Wei (personal essay)
"Why Americans Are Having Fewer Babies" by Janet Adamy (argumentative essay)
"The New Rules of Success in a Post-Career World" by Bruce Feiler (personal essay)
"America Pays a High Price for Low Wages" by Michael Lind (argumentative essay)
"The Man Who Saved the Music of the Nazi Camps" by Makana Eyre (personal essay)
"How Florida Became America's GOP Hot Spot" by Arian Campo-Flores, Alex Leary and Anthony DeBarros (argumentative essay)
The features and style of WSJ essays
WSJ essays have some common features and style that distinguish them from other types of essays. Here are some of them:
They are usually between 1,000 and 2,000 words long.
They have a catchy and informative title that summarizes the main idea or argument of the essay.
They have a clear and compelling thesis statement that states the author's opinion or perspective on the topic.
They have a logical and coherent structure that consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
They use headings and subheadings to organize the main points and subpoints of the essay.
They use facts, examples, quotes, statistics, and other sources to support the author's arguments and claims.
They use transitions and connectors to link the sentences and paragraphs of the essay.
They use a conversational and engaging tone that appeals to the reader's interest and curiosity.
They use an informal and personal voice that reflects the author's personality and point of view.
They use rhetorical devices such as questions, analogies, metaphors, humor, irony, etc. to make the essay more persuasive and memorable.
They follow the WSJ formatting and citation guidelines, which include using bold for the title and headings, using italics for emphasis and foreign words, using quotation marks for direct quotes, using parentheses for citations, etc.
How to write a Wall Street Journal essay?
If you are a writer who wants to write a WSJ essay, here are some steps you can follow to improve your chances of getting published:
Choose a timely and relevant topic
The first step is to choose a topic that is timely and relevant to the WSJ audience. You should pick a topic that is related to current events, trends, issues, or ideas that affect our world. You should also pick a topic that is original and interesting, that has not been covered extensively by other media outlets or writers. You should avoid topics that are too broad or too narrow, too controversial or too obvious, too personal or too impersonal.
To find a good topic, you can do some brainstorming, research, or reading. You can also check out the WSJ website or print edition to see what topics are being discussed or featured. You can also look at other sources of inspiration, such as books, podcasts, documentaries, blogs, etc.
Research and analyze your sources
The second step is to research and analyze your sources. You should gather relevant and reliable information from various sources, such as books, articles, reports, studies, interviews, surveys, etc. You should evaluate the credibility and quality of your sources by checking their authorship, publication date, accuracy, objectivity, bias, etc. You should also analyze your sources by summarizing their main points, comparing and contrasting their perspectives, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, etc.
To research and analyze your sources, you can use online tools such as Google Scholar, Bing Academic Search Engine , or WSJ Pro . You can also use offline tools such as libraries or archives. You can also use citation tools such as Zotero or EasyBib to organize and cite your sources.
Craft a clear and compelling thesis statement
The third step is to craft a clear and compelling thesis statement. A thesis statement is a sentence that states the main idea or argument of your essay. It should be specific, concise, and debatable. It should also reflect your opinion or perspective on the topic. A good thesis statement should answer the question "What is this essay about?" or "What is the author trying to prove or persuade?"
To craft a good thesis statement, you can use some strategies such as asking yourself questions about your topic , using a formula or template , or writing multiple versions . You can also test your thesis statement by checking if it is clear , compelling , debatable , focused , original , etc.
Outline your main points and subpoints
Write in a conversational and engaging tone
The fifth step is to write in a conversational and engaging tone. This means writing as if you are talking to a friend or a colleague, not a stranger or a boss. You should use simple and clear language that your reader can understand and relate to. You should also use humor, emotion, and contrast to make your writing more interesting and memorable.
To write in a conversational and engaging tone, you can use some techniques such as:
Use contractions. Contractions are shortened forms of words or phrases, such as "don't" instead of "do not" or "I'm" instead of "I am". They make your writing more informal and natural.
Use personal pronouns. Personal pronouns are words that refer to yourself or your reader, such as "I", "you", "we", "us", etc. They make your writing more personal and direct.
Use questions. Questions are sentences that ask for information or feedback from your reader, such as "What do you think?" or "Do you agree?". They make your writing more interactive and engaging.
Use examples. Examples are specific instances or cases that illustrate your point, such as "For example, ..." or "Let me tell you a story ...". They make your writing more concrete and relatable.
Use rhetorical devices. Rhetorical devices are techniques that use language to persuade or impress your reader, such as analogies, metaphors, similes, hyperbole, irony, etc. They make your writing more creative and memorable.
Use facts, examples, and quotes to support your arguments
The sixth step is to use facts, examples, and quotes to support your arguments. Facts are statements that can be verified by evidence or logic, such as statistics, data, studies, etc. Examples are specific instances or cases that illustrate your point, such as stories, anecdotes, scenarios, etc. Quotes are words or phrases that are taken from another source, such as books, articles, speeches, etc.
To use facts, examples, and quotes effectively, you should:
Choose relevant and reliable sources. You should use sources that are related to your topic and that are credible and authoritative.
Cite your sources properly. You should give credit to the original source of your information by using parentheses or quotation marks.
Integrate your sources smoothly. You should introduce your sources by using signal words or phrases , such as "According to ...", "As ... said ...", "In his/her book/article ...", etc.
Explain your sources clearly. You should explain how your sources support your point by using commentary words or phrases , such as "This shows that ...", "This means that ...", "This implies that ...", etc.
Follow the WSJ formatting and citation guidelines
The seventh step is to follow the WSJ formatting and citation guidelines. Formatting refers to the way you present your essay visually , such as font size , font type , margins , spacing , etc. Citation refers to the way you acknowledge your sources , such as parentheses , quotation marks , footnotes , etc.
To follow the WSJ formatting and citation guidelines , you should:
Use bold for the title and headings of your essay.
Use italics for emphasis and foreign words.
Use quotation marks for direct quotes.
Use parentheses for citations.
Use single spacing for your essay.
Use a 12-point Times New Roman font for your essay.
Use a 1-inch margin on all sides of your essay.
Use the author-date citation style for your sources , such as (Smith 2022) or (Jones et al . 2021).
Edit and proofread your essay carefully
The eighth and final step is to edit and proofread your essay carefully. Editing refers to the process of revising your essay for content , structure , clarity , and coherence. Proofreading refers to the process of checking your essay for grammar , spelling , punctuation , and typos.
To edit and proofread your essay effectively , you should:
Read your essay aloud. This will help you catch any errors or awkward sentences that you might have missed.
Use online tools. You can use online tools such as Grammarly , Hemingway , or ProWritingAid to check and improve your writing.
Get feedback. You can ask a friend , a colleague , or a professional editor to read your essay and give you constructive criticism.
Make revisions. You should make any necessary changes or improvements to your essay based on your own judgment or the feedback you received.
How to read a Wall Street Journal essay?
If you are a reader who wants to read a WSJ essay, here are some steps you can follow to enhance your understanding and enjoyment:
Identify the main idea and purpose of the essay
The first step is to identify the main idea and purpose of the essay. The main idea is the central message or argument that the author wants to convey. The purpose is the goal or intention that the author has for writing the essay. You can usually find the main idea and purpose in the title, the thesis statement, or the conclusion of the essay.
To identify the main idea and purpose of the essay, you can ask yourself questions such as:
What is this essay about?
What is the author's opinion or perspective on the topic?
What is the author trying to prove or persuade?
What is the author trying to inform or educate?
What is the author trying to entertain or inspire?
Evaluate the credibility and quality of the sources
The second step is to evaluate the credibility and quality of the sources. Sources are the information or evidence that the author uses to support his/her arguments and claims. They can be facts, examples, quotes, statistics, etc. The credibility and quality of the sources depend on their authorship, publication date, accuracy, objectivity, bias, etc.
To evaluate the credibility and quality of the sources, you can ask yourself questions such as:
Who is the author or source of the information?
When was the information published or updated?
Is the information accurate and verifiable?
Is the information objective and unbiased?
Is the information relevant and reliable?
Analyze the arguments and evidence presented by the author
the author
The fourth step is to analyze the arguments and evidence presented by the author. Arguments are statements that support or oppose a certain point of view. Evidence is the information or data that backs up the arguments. You should examine how the author uses arguments and evidence to persuade or inform the reader.
To analyze the arguments and evidence presented by the author, you can ask yourself questions such as:
What are the main arguments or claims that the author makes?
What are the main types of evidence that the author uses?
How does the author organize and structure his/her arguments and evidence?
How does the author use language and tone to convey his/her arguments and evidence?
How effective and convincing are the author's arguments and evidence?
Compare and contrast different perspectives on the topic
The fifth step is to compare and contrast different perspectives on the topic. Perspectives are ways of looking at or understanding a topic. They can be influenced by factors such as culture, ideology, values, beliefs, etc. You should explore how different perspectives agree or disagree on the topic, and what implications or consequences they have.
To compare and contrast different perspectives on the topic, you can use some strategies such as:
Use a Venn diagram or a chart to visualize the similarities and differences between different perspectives.
Use signal words or phrases to indicate comparison or contrast, such as "similarly", "however", "on the other hand", "in contrast", etc.
Use criteria or standards to evaluate different perspectives, such as relevance, validity, reliability, consistency, etc.
Use examples or scenarios to illustrate different perspectives and their outcomes.
Reflect on your own opinions and reactions to the essay
The sixth and final step is to reflect on your own opinions and reactions to the essay. Opinions are your personal judgments or evaluations of a topic. Reactions are your emotional or behavioral responses to a topic. You should consider how the essay has influenced or changed your opinions and reactions, and what you have learned from it.
To reflect on your own opinions and reactions to the essay, you can ask yourself questions such as:
What did I think about the topic before reading the essay?
What do I think about the topic after reading the essay?
What did I feel while reading the essay?
What do I feel after reading the essay?
What did I learn from reading the essay?
What questions or comments do I have about the essay?
Conclusion
In conclusion, Wall Street Journal essays are a form of journalism that express the author's opinion or perspective on a specific topic. They have a history and purpose of providing insightful analysis, commentary, and criticism on current events, trends, issues, and ideas that affect our world. They have various types and topics that range from personal to argumentative essays. They have common features and style that make them clear, compelling, and conversational.
To write a Wall Street Journal essay, you need to choose a timely and relevant topic , research and analyze your sources , craft a clear and compelling thesis statement , outline your main points and subpoints , write in a conversational and engaging tone , use facts , examples , and quotes to support your arguments , follow the WSJ formatting and citation guidelines , and edit and proofread your essay carefully .
the main idea and purpose of the essay , evaluate the credibility and quality of the sources , analyze the arguments and evidence presented by the author , compare and contrast different perspectives on the topic , and reflect on your own opinions and reactions to the essay .
By following these steps, you can write and read Wall Street Journal essays with confidence and skill. You can also learn a lot from these essays, as they offer valuable insights and perspectives on various topics that matter to our world.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Wall Street Journal essays:
How do I submit my essay to the Wall Street Journal?
To submit your essay to the Wall Street Journal, you need to follow the submission guidelines that are available on the WSJ website. You need to send your essay as an email attachment to wsj.ltrs@wsj.com , with the subject line "Essay Submission". You also need to include your name, address, phone number, and a brief bio in the email. You should expect a response within two weeks.
How long does it take for my essay to be published in the Wall Street Journal?
If your essay is accepted by the Wall Street Journal, it may take several weeks or months for it to be published in the WSJ website or print edition. The publication date depends on various factors, such as the relevance and timeliness of your topic, the availability of space in the WSJ section, and the editorial discretion of the WSJ editors.
How much do I get paid for my essay in the Wall Street Journal?
The Wall Street Journal does not disclose its payment rates for essays or other types of submissions. However, according to some sources , the WSJ pays between $200 and $500 for essays, depending on the length and quality of your essay.
How can I improve my writing skills for Wall Street Journal essays?
To improve your writing skills for Wall Street Journal essays, you can practice writing on different topics and genres, read and analyze WSJ essays and other sources of information, get feedback from other writers or editors, and use online tools or resources to check and improve your writing.
Where can I find more examples of Wall Street Journal essays?
You can find more examples of Wall Street Journal essays on the WSJ website or print edition. You can also search for WSJ essays on Google or Bing by using keywords such as "Wall Street Journal essay", "WSJ essay", or "The Saturday E