An op-ed piece is a type of article that offers the opinions of the author, usually on a current or controversial topic. This style of writing is often seen in newspapers and magazines, and is generally written by someone who is not a staff member of the publication. Synonyms for op-ed piece include editorial, commentary, opinion piece, column, and viewpoint. All of these synonyms share the same purpose of expressing a particular point of view, but may differ in style and structure. Regardless of the specific term used, op-ed pieces are an important part of democratic discourse, giving voices to diverse perspectives on important issues.