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Not a news article
- A column is not a news article, but it is news. It generally answers why and how. It often is personal, using the first and second person (I and you).
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Mar 20, 2023 · Columns are written both by on-staff journalists and experts from outside the publication. They express commentary and opinions on a subject, typically backed up by arguments with supporting evidence. A column typically appears in a publication regularly.
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What is a column in a newspaper?
How to write a newspaper column?
What is a column in a publication?
What makes a good newspaper column?
- Distinguishing characteristics of an op-ed or column. Partly, a column is defined by where it appears, but it shares some common characteristics: Typically, it is short, between 750 and 800 words.
- Questions to ask yourself when writing an op-ed or column. Do I have a clear point to make? If so, what is it? Who cares? (Writing with a particular audience in mind can inform how you execute your column.
- Topic and theme. Every successful op-ed piece or column must have a clearly defined topic and theme. The topic is the person, place, issue, incident or thing that is the primary focus of the column.
- Research. While columns and op-ed pieces allow writers to include their own voice and express an opinion, to be successful the columns must be grounded in solid research.
A column is a recurring piece or article in a newspaper, magazine or other publication, where a writer expresses their own opinion in few columns allotted to them by the newspaper organization. People who write columns are described as columnists .
Jan 26, 2023 · While a column is generally a first-person account, an editorial represents the newspaper as an institution. Additionally, columns extend a latitude to the writer of choosing a profoundly personal matter or to give the reader a chuckle.
- Overview
- Developing and Sharing Your Views
- Choosing Your Column Topic
- Engaging Your Audience
- Formatting Your Column
- Sample Newspaper Columns
Writing a newspaper column provides space for a columnist to share their opinions or analyze a chosen topic using their own voice. While a newspaper column does afford a lot of room for freedom, there are certain conventions that should be followed to write an effective column. By learning how to present your subject in an interesting way and how t...
As a newspaper columnist, you’re charged to have distinct opinions and a voice. Your voice could be humorous or dark, for example.
A good way to find your voice is to read newspaper articles that report just the facts, and then
a response. Do this with 5 or 6 articles, then chart how you reacted. You might notice that you consistently take a sarcastic tone or an optimistic one.
Your editor will also be able to help you refine your voice, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
What distinguishes a newspaper column from an article is that a column inserts an opinion where the article only reports facts in an objective way. Forming an opinion is a good way to speak your voice.
A good way to test your opinion is to ask yourself, “Will someone have a strong reaction to my article?” If the answer is yes, you’ve successfully formed an opinion. If your stance doesn’t elicit any reaction, then you’ve probably written a very neutral piece.
Your readers will be most interested in topics that are dominating the news, such as politics or pop culture, and not some obscure event that’s no longer relevant.
Stay on top of the news cycle and be ready to jump in with your own opinion.
Scan newspaper and magazine headlines to see what events are most popular. These reoccurring issues are ones that the general public will be interested in.
Often newspaper columns are about politics, but they can draw on social issues also, such as prison conditions.
Find an interesting angle for your topic.
Providing your readers with a fresh approach to a story can make your column appealing. Thinking about new angles for a topic on current events will be sure to speak to readers.
They often include numbers, fun adjectives, and a promise to the reader. This will help set the reader's expectations and grab his or her attention.
For example, “Getting Stains Out of Your Carpet” is a mundane title that’s not likely to capture your reader’s attention.
Alternatively, “3 Unusual Household Items That’ll Get Red Wine Stains Out” is more interesting because it gives the reader a promise.
Open with a “hook” that will grab your reader’s attention.
Make that first sentence count by enticing the reader with your words and ideas. Remember that your opening also lays the foundation for your argument, so make sure it’s relevant.
Attention-grabbing opening lines include: dramatic anecdotes, controversial statements, irony and wit, references to new studies, or statements that contradict conventional wisdom.
Newspaper columns are typically only 400-800 words so you should get to your point straightaway.
Get used to whittling down your initial drafts. After you read each sentence ask yourself, “How is this sentence contributing to my argument? Is every word necessary?”
If you find yourself unsure whether words or sentences contribute to your argument, take them out and read the article again to see if their absence alters your argument.
Make sure your topic is clearly defined.
Because newspaper columns are short, your topic and point of view must be clearly defined and focused. State your topic and opinion in the first paragraph. The following paragraphs should relate back to this idea.
For example, if you’re writing that long-distance relationships are a bad idea, introduce this idea in the first paragraph. Present the problematic aspects of long-distance relationships in the following paragraphs to support your stance.
Sample Column in School Paper
What should I write a column about?
Try to cover something relevant that will interest your readers, such as current events.
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Jan 28, 2020 · But it’s true that in the news industry, columns and editorials are very different from news reports, and the differences aren’t always well understood by the general public. So let’s take a closer look. Most, if not all, news outlets publish more than just news.
Mar 17, 2016 · 7 Tips to Write a Column. 1. Produce on schedule. The editor plans the layout to accommodate your column and counts on you to fill a certain space. If you have to beg occasionally for an extension, it may be granted, but don’t make this a habit.
