Column writing for publications

COLUMN WRITING BASICS

THE COLUMN

• More and more space in the school paper is devoted to the column.

THE COLUMN

• More and more space in the school paper is devoted to the column.

• The honor of signing his /her name to the column is granted only to the best or the most trusted writers of the staff.

THE COLUMN

• More and more space in the school paper is devoted to the column.

• The honor of signing his /her name to the column is granted only to the best or the most trusted writers of the staff.

• The EIC or sports editor may write a column for themselves.

THE COLUMN

• It appears each issue under the same head/title, usually in the same place, and is written by the same person on a timely subject.

THE COLUMN

• It appears each issue under the same head/title, usually in the same place, and is written by the same person on a timely subject.

• It’s treatment may range from light to serious; it’s topics from the trivial to the highly significant

THE COLUMN

• It appears each issue under the same head/title, usually in the same place, and is written by the same person on a timely subject.

• It’s treatment may range from light to serious; it’s topics from the trivial to the highly significant

• It may be an editorial treatment of the news, satire, personal bits, pathetic or amusing incidents, or witticisms.

THE COLUMN

• It may take on the functions of a news story, the editorial or the feature – it is diverse, it is varying.

THE COLUMN

• It may take on the functions of a news story, the editorial or the feature – it is diverse, it is varying.

• Columns are placed on the section which they are related1. Philosophical-informative are on the editorial or opinion page2. Sports comments are on the sports page3. News-group columns are on the news page

THE COLUMN

• Columns must be type-set to blend with their respective pages.

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN Because of the possible influence of his

column for GOOD or ILL, the columnist should be a HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE

individual.

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• Keen observation

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• Keen observation• Good judgment

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• Keen observation• Good judgment• Sound reasoning

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• Keen observation• Good judgment• Sound reasoning• A knowledge of human nature and wide

acquaintanceship

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• Keen observation• Good judgment• Sound reasoning• A knowledge of human nature and wide

acquaintanceship• An original style

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• Keen observation• Good judgment• Sound reasoning• A knowledge of human nature and wide

acquaintanceship• An original style• Tact

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• Keen observation• Good judgment• Sound reasoning• A knowledge of human nature and wide

acquaintanceship• An original style• Tact• A wholesome sense of humor

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• A spirit of restraint

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• A spirit of restraint• A high respect for the school

QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

• A spirit of restraint• A high respect for the school• Freedom from petty prejudices

TYPES OF COLUMNSThere are columns that are more or less continuous and of general interest. Items

about such general activities may be written by a regular reporter and published as a

column under a standing head.

TYPES OF COLUMNS

There are columns that are more or less continuous and of general interest. Items

about such general activities may be written by a regular reporter and published as a

column under a standing head.e.g. SSC, ROTC, CWTS, AFSO

TYPES OF COLUMNS

There are columns that are more or less continuous and of general interest. Items

about such general activities may be written by a regular reporter and published as a

column under a standing head.e.g. SSC, ROTC, CWTS, AFSO

More often, it is the “columnist’s column” that is being written.

TYPES OF COLUMNS

COLUMNIST’S COLUMNSa. Deals with some general subject, written in

individualistic features-style on a news background.

TYPES OF COLUMNS

COLUMNIST’S COLUMNSa. Deals with some general subject, written in

individualistic features-style on a news background.

b. The personality of the columnist as revealed in his/her comments and writing style is the main attraction of this column.

TYPES OF COLUMNS

EDITORIAL COLUMN • most serious among the personalized columns• like the editorial, it comments on or interprets

timely subjects• may be made up of short paragraphs on several

topics or it may treat one subject per issue• sources of material are: current news, observation,

interview, commendable undertakings or accomplishments and investigations.

TYPES OF COLUMNS

VARIETY/ HUMOR COLUMN• an entertainment feature made up of short items, such

as philosophical comments, a play on names, local humor, parodies, quotes of unintentional blunders, light thrusts at school happenings, puns, jokes and light verse.

• It may be funny, clean in good taste• It may be pertinent to school life and original• Only rarely should it reprint jokes• No joke should reflect upon the reputation of an

individual

TYPES OF COLUMNS

PERSONALS/ CHATTER COLUMN• It has replaced the gossip column which was given to unkind

and malicious innuendo• It chatters about well-known persons• All materials should be true and all suggestions, complimentary• It may include: lists of couples at a party, parodies of popular

songs, playful verses that characterize well-known persons in a kindly manner, praise directed to certain persons.

• It’s news value lies in the names• The writer must try to spread his coverage and not limit

himself to friends

TYPES OF COLUMNS

OPINION COLUMN• Concerned with the reader’s views• It may take the form of the poll or “inquiring reporter,” and the

letter to the editor• It should deal with timely subjects• May single out a group for attention if the news spotlights this

group’s interest• It should ry to have new names each issue• The lead should include a question and a conclusion• Answers may be presented in an interesting manner• The body is simply a series of paragraphs each beginning with the

person’s name followed by his statements.

TYPES OF COLUMNS

EXCHANGE COLUMN• Collection of items from other college or

school publications collected by the editor• These may be crisp bits of interesting news or

they may contain suggestions for the students of his/her own school

• Comments may or may not be added

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• Get a clever name for a column.

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• Get a clever name for a column.• If the column is meant to entertain, be sure

that it does entertain the paper’s typical readers.

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• Get a clever name for a column.• If the column is meant to entertain, be sure

that it does entertain the paper’s typical readers.

• Stay within the subject range of the column.

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• Get a clever name for a column.• If the column is meant to entertain, be sure

that it does entertain the paper’s typical readers.

• Stay within the subject range of the column.• Unless it is against the format of the column,

make most items short, separated by typographical devices like long dashes (--------), asterisks (*******), moustache (-o-), etc.

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• If the column gives serious suggestions, be sure it is reliable.

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• If the column gives serious suggestions, be sure it is reliable.

• For variety, deal with different aspects of the main topic.

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• If the column gives serious suggestions, be sure it is reliable.

• For variety, deal with different aspects of the main topic.

• Have items set in various typographical styles, such as italics, in boldtype, different points, caps, short clever heads.

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• Avoid unkind references to people.

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• Avoid unkind references to people.• Write in good taste.

GUIDELINES IN COLUMN WRITING

• Avoid unkind references to people.• Write in good taste.• Deal only with timely material pertaining to

the school.

IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN COLUMN WRITING

IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN COLUMN WRITING

a. Since persuasion is a key element, CONVICTION is necessary

IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN COLUMN WRITING

a. Since persuasion is a key element, CONVICTION is necessary

b. Study the issue on all angles, then MAKE A STAND

IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN COLUMN WRITING

a. Since persuasion is a key element, CONVICTION is necessary

b. Study the issue on all angles, then MAKE A STANDc. The choice of style is made prior to the publication

of the first column article

IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN COLUMN WRITING

a. Since persuasion is a key element, CONVICTION is necessary

b. Study the issue on all angles, then MAKE A STANDc. The choice of style is made prior to the publication

of the first column articled. Clear, Concise, Correct, Credible, Complete and

CONSISTENT

IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN COLUMN WRITING

a. Since persuasion is a key element, CONVICTION is necessary

b. Study the issue on all angles, then MAKE A STANDc. The choice of style is made prior to the publication

of the first column articled. Clear, Concise, Correct, Credible, Complete and

CONSISTENTe. The style one chooses gives the column its

personality; the columnist his/her voice

IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN COLUMN WRITING

g. The best style and tone to adopt: - focus of the column - writer’s purpose - target audience

IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN COLUMN WRITING

g. The best style and tone to adopt: - focus of the column - writer’s purpose - target audience

h. Consider your own capability (e.g. if you’re not funny: don’t attempt a humorous column)

IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN COLUMN WRITING

g. The best style and tone to adopt: - focus of the column - writer’s purpose - target audience

h. Consider your own capability (e.g. if you’re not funny: don’t attempt a humorous column)

i. The Op-Ed page is the heart of the paper; it’s true voice

END