Writing Columns

What is a column? 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). A column often states an opinion. It is said to be like writing an open letter.
A column also has a standard head, called a title, and a by-line (name) at the top.
These identify you and your column for the reader.

Columns are articles or features written for newspapers, magazines, newsletters,

and other publications. They are usually published regularly and on a schedule.
Columns are a form of journalism that is less formal and more biased than other
types of journalism. Choose the content you want your column to be about and
then write your column following simple guidelines

How do you write a column?

Before writing a column, think about and decide on the purpose, audience, content
and structure.

Purpose
Why are you writing? Is it to inform the community about an event? Does the
paper's editor, the community or co-workers want it? Are you entertaining,
informing or educating? Do you seek an identity or exposure?

Audience
Whom are you trying to reach? Who are you reaching? Decide on your audience.
Write in their language, at their level, about things the audience needs to know or
wants to know.

Content
What will your column discuss? How will you discuss it? Answering why and
how will help determine what. Remember, columns should be based on facts and
should be accurate.
Names are crucial in a personal column. Personal columns may be informal; yet
accuracy and sourcing material counts.
Structure
How will your message get to your audience? There are other types of columns
besides the personal column, too. Some of these cover specific topics or types of
information. They can be "question and answer," "new ideas," "how-to-do-it"
pieces or "calendars" and "coming events."
Personal columns should have many local names. They also use words like: "I,"
"we" or "you."
When writing a column, do
 Give the reader timely, helpful information.
 Develop a structure and keep it. Write on a regular schedule.
 Write simple and short sentences and paragraphs.
 In personal columns, use local names and places.
 Let others speak for you by use of quotes and references.
 Learn the difference between a column and a news story.

When writing a column, don't

 Use technical or complex words, unless required; then explain simply.
 Talk in jargon or unfamiliar terms.
 Talk about one topic constantly.
 Include too much detail or material. You should be stimulating interest, not
exhausting a subject.
 Refer to yourself as a third person (this author, your reporter) or quote
yourself (Jimmy Jones said). Instead use mine.

Tips on column writing

 Write the way you talk. But don't discard good English usage and grammar.
 Try to uncover a "lead" or opening that will catch the interest of your
readers.
 Use a variety of material, not just one subject.
 Write about people. When using subject matter, try to tell the story through
the experiences of local people.
 Write simply. Avoid technical or difficult words, long sentences, long
paragraphs.
 Don't weigh your column down with too much detail. Try to stimulate
interest in a subject, but don't exhaust the subject.
 Jot down ideas, names, figures, impressions, etc., in a note pad while visiting
farms and homes. This provides the very best column material.
  Be timely. Keep up with the effect of weather conditions, seasons, etc.,
pointing out the significance of these conditions locally.
 Remember the people you're talking to and give them information that will
benefit them in a way they can understand.
 Always get your column to the editor or publication on schedule.

Columns are articles or features written for newspapers, magazines, newsletters,

and other publications. They are usually published regularly and on a schedule.
Columns are a form of journalism that is less formal and more biased than other
types of journalism. Choose the content you want your column to be about and
then write your column following simple guidelines.
 HOW TO WRITE
Part1: Choosing the content
1.

1 Determine why you are writing a column. Figure out what you (or your editor)
want the column to be about. Do you want to entertain or inform? Asking yourself
why you are writing a column will help you figure out what you want to write
about. If you want to entertain, you might want to write about humorous topics or
make a serious topic comical. Wanting to inform your audience might mean your
column is more factual, educational, and serious.
 2.

2 Write about your opinion. Unlike more traditional forms of journalism (such as

news reports or articles), a column is by nature biased and opinionated. Think of a
topic that you are passionate about and that you have a strong opinion on when
figuring out your content. It will be a lot easier to write a column if you care about
the subject.
 Although a column is biased, you should still have
journalistic integrity and not maliciously slander anyone.

 3.

3 Choose relevant topics. News stories come and go very quickly. When writing a
column on recent events, move fast. You will want to write a column about a
recent event within 24-48 hours after the event happened. Choose relevant topics
that you have good perspective or advice about.
 For example: if a political debate happens on a Sunday, you
will want a column on your viewpoint of the debate written
by Monday or Tuesday.
4. Check social media to see what people are posting about and get ideas for your
column.[3]

4.Write about people. Choose topics for your column where you can write about
people. Using real people in your column gives it a stronger impact and helps you
prove your point.[4] Writing about concepts and policies without using names does
not have as much of an effect as using real names.
 For example: if you are writing a column on your opinions on
immigration, use the story of a local immigrant in your
column.
 5.

5. Localize and personalize your column. If you are writing a column for a local
publication, then make sure to give issues a local point of view as much as you
can. You can also use your own experiences to show you understand something
from a first-hand experience.
  For example: if you are talking about problems in the
education system, don’t be too general. Focus on the schools
in your town and the problems kids in your town have faced
or still face at school.

6. Stick to a theme. Keep your column about the same general topic (politics,
beauty, local issues, etc.). However, you should have variation within your theme.
Your readers might get bored of your column if they feel like they are reading the
same thing repeatedly.[6]
  For example: if your theme is beauty you can talk about curly
hair in one piece, eyeliner in another, and lipstick in another.

6.

7.Write about personal topics. Don’t be afraid to write articles on personal

topics. Your views are out in the open in columns. Write about topics that allow
you to reveal and expose yourself. This personalization and vulnerability is what
will make readers keep reading your column.[7]
 For example: if you are passionate about helping the
homeless population, write about your feelings on
homelessness in your column.
 If you have five dogs, then write a piece about dogs and
include information about your own experiences with dogs.

7.
8. Gear your column towards your audience. Writing a column for teenage
girls is going to be lot different than writing a column for business owners.
Think about your audience when writing a column and how they pertain to
your topic.

9.
9.Create a structure. There are different structures for columns. You can have a
personal column about a specific subject or about a variety of subjects. You might
want a column that is in the form of “question and answer,” to give advice or to
educate. Informative columns can also be written in a “how to” format.[10]
 Claiborne Ray writes a Q&A structured column for The New
York Times on simple science topics.
 Maureen Dowd writes a traditionally structured column on
politics for The New York Times.
 Part2 : Creating Your Column
1.

1 Write clearly. Don’t complicate your column with confusing and

technical language. Keep your writing simple. Use short sentences and
paragraphs.[13] Start a new paragraph whenever you have a new thought,
even if that means a paragraph is only a sentence or two.
 Your column should be between 600 and 800 words.[14]
2.

2 Write in AP Style. Journalistic writing is usually written in Associated

Press (AP) Style. This style includes specific requirements for
abbreviations, grammar, titles, and names. Refer to an AP Style guidebook
or search online to learn the rules of AP Style when writing your column.
[15]
3.

3Use first person. In a column, don’t be afraid to talk about yourself as

yourself. When writing your opinions, say it is your opinion. Don’t refer to
yourself or quote yourself in third person (either by your name or as “the
author” or “the reporter”).
 For example, you could write: “I find it horrific that our taxes
are not being used to help more homeless people find jobs.”
 Don’t write: “Sara Finn, the author, was horrified to discover
her taxes were not being used to help more homeless people
find work.”
4.
4 Write the way you talk. A column is more personal than other types of
journalism. Your language in a column does not have to be as formal.
While maintaining good grammar, keep your tone casual and personal. [17]
 Don’t write too formal: “Hell’s Kitchen, a neighborhood in
New York City, is known for its variety of delicious
restaurants.”
 Instead write: “As a self-proclaimed 'pasta expert,' I thought I
knew good pasta. However, when I went to Hell’s Kitchen
during my trip to New York, I ate fettuccine that changed my
life.”
5.

5 Write an attention-grabbing lead. The “lead” (or lede) is the opening

section of your column. Unlike traditional new reporting, your column
should have a descriptive and attention grabbing lead.[18][19]
 For example: “It was 11 p.m. and I still had not eaten dinner.
I was starving, angry, and lost in New York City. I finally
found an Italian restaurant that was still open and ran inside,
completely unaware that I was about to have fettuccine that
would change my opinion on pasta forever.”
6.

6 Use facts. Your column should not be a huge list of facts, but you should
back up your statements with facts to make your opinions more concrete.
Even though a column is not a news report, you still might want to conduct
interviews and do online research to back up your points. You will be taken
more seriously if you know what you are talking about.[20]
7.

7 Use analogies to simplify your writing. If you are explaining something

complicated or technical, use analogies to simplify and make your point.
 This will help your readers understand what you are saying in your column.
[21]
 For example: “When trying to understand how the business
was hiding their money to get out paying taxes, think of the
files on your laptop. When you put files in the “trash can”
they seem gone, but really they are still there and accessible
if you drag them out. The CEO put his money into a “trash
can,” so the government would not see it.”
8.

8 Be passionate, but have a solution. A column is the perfect time to be

passionate about your point of view. Share your opinions and viewpoints
loud and clear. However, you can’t just write a column of you complaining
about an issue. You need to finish off your column with solutions. The
audience of your column wants your opinion and they want answers. [22]
 For example: “I am disappointed and disgusted by the
number of homeless veterans living on our streets. Let's raise
the taxes of the wealthy and use that money to help the
homeless.”
 Question
What's the main difference between an article and a column?

Community Answer
Writing an article is objective, as its main purpose is to inform the audience.
On the other hand, a column is subjective since it aims to give an opinion on
a subject matter.

 Question
I would really love to write in one of those Q&A columns. How do I
know I've got what it takes?
 Community Answer
The only way to find out is to write a column and submit to a newspaper!
Don't be discouraged if your column doesn't get published the first time. It
often takes many submissions to many different newspapers. Try first
submitting your column to a local newspaper.

 Question
How can you write about personal experiences with neighbours and
friends without getting in trouble? Do you have to ask their agreement
for publishing? Etc.

Community Answer
Since columns are places for opinions you can write your opinion on an
event that has happened, so long as it is based on provable facts. If you
acknowledge the other side of your opinion, this will help make you seem
fair and balanced. Your readers won't want to read about a neighborhood
squabble, so make sure the story relates to some larger, nationwide issue.
You will need to properly cite any people you quote, so likely you will have
to interview these neighbors.