Link to Pinker's op-ed piece & the definition of op-ed

Click here for Steven Pinker's article.

I want to remind you to differentiate between fact and opinion when reading op-ed articles. Granted, the contributors are experts, but when they write op-ed pieces the content is usually presented to favor one side of the argument. As with everything else you read, remember that there is always another side to the story. 






Here is the New Oxford American Dictionary definition for op-ed: (also Op-Ed)
adjective - denoting or printed on the page opposite the editorial page in anewspaper, devoted to commentary, feature articles, etc.ORIGIN 1940s: shortening of op(posite the) ed(itorial page).
Listed below is the definition that is available on Wikipedia (gasp...your teacher does visit the site occasionally). 
Typically, a newspaper's editorial board evaluates which issues are important for their readership to know the newspaper's opinion.Editorials are typically published ona special page dedicated to them,called the editorial page, which often also features letters to the editor from members of the public; the page opposite this page is called the op-ed page and frequently contains opinion pieces by writersnot directly affiliated with thepublication. However, a newspaper may choose to publish an editorial on the front page. In most English language press, this is done only rarely and on topics considered especially important; however, it is more common in some Europeancountries such as Italy andFrance.^[5]