Tips for Writing About the Election

Thoughts on contributing thoughtfully and respectfully to the conversation

Good morning! I feel compelled to write to you a little bit earlier than usual this week, in light of the election news we all received this morning. Like many of you, I sipped my coffee today while perusing posts on Substack and Instagram, anxious to know what others think and learn from experts who try to help us understand what it all means. I imagine that many of you reading this may also wish to add your own two cents to the conversation—as you very well should, if you want to. 

As a professional writer and editor, though, I wanted to offer you some hopefully helpful advice for contributing thoughtfully and constructively to the conversation today and in the days to come. May we all engage respectfully and conscientiously as we collaborate toward a better future.

First, don’t feel like you need to ignore the election.

I admit, this is my first instinct. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, so I will typically just pretend like nothing’s happening. But that’s not authentic. I have opinions about the election. I care deeply about my country and its fate (and the fate of other countries we influence, aid, and protect) in the next four years. Plus, most of your readers are preoccupied with the election results and interested in discussing them right now. So go there; it shows that you’re an engaged citizen and wisely responsive to your readers’ interests. 

But if you do, keep these next tips in mind…

Offer your readers real value.

You are not here to spout your opinions, whine, or boast. This is true every time you write for a public audience, but is especially difficult for authors when we have strong feelings about a topic of national interest and importance that impacts our lives directly. The fact is: people have already voted. You’re not going to change their minds at this point. We’re all going to live with Donald Trump as our president for the next four years. So don’t bother rehashing old arguments, bemoaning the results, or shouting your excitement into the wind. 

Instead, think about how to help your readers move forward, no matter what their politics are. 

Write in the overlap.

I’m offering advice on how to write about the US election because offering writing advice is what I do. It’s my area of expertise. This post fits squarely in the overlap of my Venn diagram:

See that what you write also fits in that overlap.

Give up the rage, please.

I’m seeing rage-ful posts from people on both sides. Rage violates the principle of offering your readers real value because it’s not about your readers; it’s about you. We all know that anger sells online. It works to get clicks and shares. But anger doesn’t offer anything to your readers. It’s just using your audience as a (willing or unwilling) receptacle for your opinions. And no one likes to feel used.

Avoid clichés and hyperbole. 

Before you say, “This is the [insert adjective here] election of our time” or claim that “democracy/freedom/liberty is at stake”—think about what you’re saying. Ask yourself, “Is this really true? How do I know? What does it mean for that to be true?” I would argue that you should avoid these sayings even if you 100% believe them simply because they are now cliché and your readers will tune you out; but if you do feel convinced that it should be said, then defend your statement. Explain why you feel that way. And do it while keeping the previous tips in mind.

I hope this helps. Take good care. Be thoughtful and kind.

Ariel