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
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