On opinion

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Each day, when you open this paper, you’ll find three articles and a cartoon under the big, italicized flag of “Opinion.” Today: Paul Raushenbush, a guest contributor and an associate dean of religious life, offers some Princeton-centric advice based on an old rule; Joe Montalbano ’10, a senior cartoonist, reveals the fact that he was once an engineer; and Greg Burnham ’10, a staff columnist, reflects on whether Princeton — great as it is — really makes us, individually, even just “good.”

These articles are a part of what we do at the Opinion section of The Daily Princetonian, but hardly encompass all of it. Four faculty — an economist, a linguist, a historian and a computer scientist — will opine on matters close to and far from the fields they teach. More than 15 staff columnists of all class years, majors and backgrounds write humorously, seriously, angrily and uniquely. An editorial board — composed of almost 20 students from all walks of campus life — debates, argues and pens unsigned editorials that represent the opinion of the ‘Prince’ on official matters that affect the University and the student body. Guest contributors submit letters to the editor and whole columns, and those contributors might be students, alumni, faculty, administrators, parents or even someone else. And this semester, we’ll be thinking of ways to bring you new forms of content.

While the News section of the ‘Prince’ endeavors to tell you what’s going on in the world, we hope to offer you new perspectives on how to interpret it. As a whole, we’ll cover matters Princeton-specific and Princeton-related, but also offer opinions on the world beyond FitzRandolph Gate. Read this page enough, and we hope that its columns, editorials and cartoons will suggest new ways of looking at the world, new patterns, new facts and new observations. At the same time, the point of reading another’s opinion is not just to figure out what he or she thinks: it’s to figure out what you think. Read and find out something new about yourself. Jump in anger or shake your head in frustration at the lunacy of a column, or nod approvingly when you agree. You’ve expressed an opinion just by reading.

We’re often asked three things: What we consider an opinion piece, how to submit one for publication and how to join our staff.

An opinion, as far as we can offer a definition, simply expresses an individual’s interpretation of the world. It is a series of observations, strung together, that formulates deeper ideas and sometimes draws conclusions based on these ideas. It does not need to make concrete suggestions; it doesn’t have to agree or disagree with something — though its thesis often does, and that usually makes it interesting. Opinions express who we are; this page is a window into the thinking that goes on all year long at Princeton. If you enjoy writing and thinking through your writing — and we firmly believe that opinions are, and should be, individual and fun — then you should read and write for us.

After a semester doing this, we know that student thinking is sharp and informed. We also think that students should write about those issues that they’re in the best position to comment upon and that they know from experience. Other than that, we have no restrictions as to content, ideology or ideas. Our writers have broad autonomy to write on whatever interests them. We never ask a writer to agree or disagree with us or with anyone else, or to be sensationalist or non-confrontational. Political and apolitical, liberal and conservative — we hope to be the epicenter for informed debate and commentary of all kinds at Princeton.

To submit a guest piece, email us at opinion@dailyprincetonian.com. It sometimes helps to write with an idea before you write a column, so we can help you through the writing process. Letters are always welcome and, if deemed fair, are almost always published — and several regular columnists started out by contributing a great letter and then applying for a full-time position.

As for joining as a columnist, editorialist or cartoonist: If any of this interests you, send us a line. Applications will be online soon; keep an eye on the ‘Prince’ website and keep reading this page. We’re looking for people of all class years, freshmen as well as seniors. It’s a great way to improve your writing, join a community of interesting and interested people and have some fun yourself along the way.

It’s a community paper, so whether you are an alum, undergrad, administrator, faculty member or grad student, contact us with your questions, letters, submissions and concerns.

We won’t be perfect. But hey, that’s just our opinion.

Ben Herzberg ’10