think piece

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableinformal

   A long article that explores the meaning and effects of a news event or trend through the writer's own analysis, rather than only reporting facts.

   Grammar: Countable: a think piece, several think pieces. Also spelled thinkpiece.

   Patterns

   • write a think piece about something
   • a think piece on something

   She wrote a think piece on why people are moving out of big cities.

   The election result sparked dozens of think pieces by the weekend.

   I read a thoughtful think piece about how phones change friendships.

2. 2nouncountabledisapproving

   Such an article seen as too long, self-important or predictable, often published only to attract attention.

   Grammar: Often used with a mocking tone, usually in the plural: the endless think pieces.

   Patterns

   • yet another think piece

   Every new gadget now brings a wave of tiresome think pieces.

   He rolled his eyes at yet another think piece about millennials.

   Some editors order think pieces just to fill space on slow news days.

Word forms

Common combinations

write a think piece

The columnist plans to write a think piece on remote work.

publish a think piece

The magazine will publish a think piece on climate anxiety.

think piece on something

I enjoyed her think piece on public libraries.

thoughtful think piece

A thoughtful think piece in the paper changed my mind.

endless think pieces

The film triggered endless think pieces about nostalgia.

Synonyms and how they differ

op-ed

An op-ed is an opinion article printed opposite the editorial page and may be short, while a think piece is more analytical and exploratory.

editorial

An editorial states the official view of a newspaper, whereas a think piece is usually one writer's reflective analysis.

essay

An essay is a broader form of writing on any subject, and a think piece is specifically a topical article in media about current events.

analysis

Analysis suggests objective, detailed examination, while a think piece openly includes the writer's personal angle and opinion.

Opposites

Word family

think verb

to use your mind to consider something

thinker noun

a person who thinks deeply about ideas

thinkpiece noun

an alternative one-word spelling of think piece

piece noun

an article or work of writing, as used in journalism

Commonly confused: think piece or news report?

Practice

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