How to get more diverse voices - those of women, those of people of color, those of youth - onto our pages and into the public conversation is a staple of newsroom discussions and industry seminars. Explanations for the dearth of submissions are many - women are too busy, women work collaboratively and don't always individually seek the public spotlight, women don't want to offend by imposing their views on others, women are concerned about attracting unwanted attention a public statement might bring - and any and none of them may be true. Maybe women just haven't been sold on the idea that op-ed pieces have the power to move legislatures, prompt an invitation to speak before Congress or move communities to make change.

And they do, because that is who reads newspaper opinion pages: community leaders, members of Congress, county supervisors, corporate leaders and community activists, that is, people engaged in making their community a better place. The op-ed and letters pages are place to weigh in, share your view, voice your ideas and contribute solutions. Community-building is the traditional role for women - check the membership of the school site council or your church's board of deacons - so chiming in now and again in an op-ed piece should be natural. We know you have plenty to say, but maybe need encouragement to say it.

The op-ed format is simple - remember the classic five-paragraph essay you learned to write in school? The first paragraph should set forth your idea, the second should introduce why it is important. Paragraphs three and four should support your thesis with facts, and the last paragraph should sum up your points and offer a line of action - write your legislator, volunteer for the beach cleanup, revise your thinking.

The challenge - as in all writing - is to engage the reader. Write what you care about. And write as if you were talking with your neighbor across your kitchen table. Here's an example from the June 2 Open Forum by Luisa Morenilla about Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's plan for mandatory health insurance: "This mandate sounded strangely familiar ... and then I remembered a conversation with my mother.

'If you got into a serious accident that landed you in the hospital today, it would bankrupt us,' she said. 'Not buying health insurance is the most selfish thing you could possibly do.'

My mother, of course, was right."

What does The Chronicle look for when selecting op-eds? First, I take the role of the presenting diverse viewpoints very seriously. The Chronicle's editorial views trend toward the left. Thus, to offer a diversity of views on our pages, I am always on the lookout for op-ed pieces that offer a view from the right.

Second, I look for pieces that offering fresh thinking on events of the day. Please, no more pieces about why you hate No Child Left Behind - we've heard that. The op-ed should make it clear why we are talking about this topic today : it recently was in the news , Congress is about to vote on the matter, there is a related event happening today or tomorrow , the reader would understand this policy discussion if they knew this, this issue is a problem because elected leaders don't see it.

Third, is the voice is clear and the writing lively? That is why I routinely reject op-eds signed by more than two people: We all know what kind of animal is designed by committee - an ungainly and unattractive one.

Fourth, support your views. Your credibility - and The Chronicle's - is at stake. The power of your argument derives from the strength of your facts.

Finally, don't whine. Offer solutions and be positive. Bring the reader into your circle. That is a good op-ed, and employs a skill at which women tend to excel. Use your female persuasion for community good.

Lois Kazakoff is The Chronicle's deputy editorial page editor. E-mail her at forum@sfchronicle.com.