Buzz
Columns represent articles or features penned for newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and various publications. They typically see regular publication according to a set schedule. Columns epitomize a style of journalism that is less formal and more opinionated compared to other journalistic forms. Determine the theme for your column and proceed to compose it, adhering to straightforward directives.
Steps
Exemplary Columns
Illustrative Advisory Column
Column Example in School PublicationPicking the Content
Define the purpose behind your column. Determine the focus of the column, whether it's for entertainment or information. Understanding the objective behind your column aids in deciding its content. If aiming for entertainment, consider humorous or lighthearted topics, whereas if aiming to inform, opt for factual and educational content.
Express your viewpoint. Unlike conventional journalism forms, such as news reports, columns inherently reflect bias and personal opinion. Select a topic you're passionate about and have a strong stance on. Writing becomes easier when you're invested in the subject matter.
- Despite bias, maintain journalistic integrity and avoid maliciously defaming individuals.
Select timely subjects. News cycles are fleeting. When addressing recent events in a column, act swiftly. Aim to publish a column within 24-48 hours of the event's occurrence. Opt for pertinent topics where you can offer valuable perspective or advice.
- For instance: following a Sunday political debate, aim to have a column expressing your viewpoint drafted by Monday or Tuesday.
- Monitor social media trends for column inspiration.
Focus on People. Select column topics that involve individuals. Incorporating real people into your column enhances its impact and strengthens your argument. Discussing concepts and policies without reference to specific individuals lacks the same effectiveness.
- For instance: when writing about immigration opinions, feature a local immigrant's story.
- For example: when addressing education issues, concentrate on local schools and the challenges faced by students in your area.
Maintain a Consistent Theme. Keep your column centered around a specific topic (e.g., politics, beauty, local concerns), but ensure variety within that theme to keep readers engaged.
- For instance: within a beauty theme, cover topics like curly hair, eyeliner techniques, and lipstick trends.
Explore Personal Subjects. Embrace writing about personal experiences. Columns are platforms for sharing viewpoints openly. Cover topics that allow you to express yourself authentically, fostering reader connection through vulnerability.
- For example: if passionate about aiding the homeless, discuss feelings on homelessness in your column.
- If you're a dog lover, share insights on dogs alongside your own experiences.
Adapt to Your Audience. Tailor your column to suit your audience. Writing for teenage girls differs significantly from addressing business owners. Consider your readership and their relevance to your chosen subject.
Establish a Framework. Columns come in various structures, ranging from personal narratives on specific topics to Q&A formats, advice columns, or instructional guides. Ensure clarity and coherence in your chosen structure.
- Claiborne Ray adopts a Q&A format in her column for The New York Times, focusing on simple science topics.
- Maureen Dowd follows a traditional structure in her political columns for The New York Times.
Crafting Your Column
Emphasize Clarity. Avoid convoluted language and technical jargon. Keep your writing straightforward with short sentences and paragraphs. Start a new paragraph for each new idea, even if it results in brief paragraphs.
- Maintain a column length of 600 to 800 words.
Adhere to AP Style. Follow Associated Press (AP) Style guidelines commonly used in journalistic writing. Familiarize yourself with AP Style rules for abbreviations, grammar, titles, and names through guidebooks or online resources.
Embrace First-Person Perspective. Express your opinions openly using the first-person narrative. Avoid referring to yourself in the third person or quoting yourself. Instead, directly attribute opinions to yourself without unnecessary distancing.
- For example, express: “I am appalled that our taxes aren't allocated to support more homeless individuals in finding employment.”
- Avoid: “Sara Finn, the author, was appalled to discover her tax contributions weren't aiding the homeless in securing jobs.”
Write in a conversational tone. Columns allow for a more personalized writing style compared to traditional journalism. Your language can be less formal while maintaining proper grammar. Keep your tone casual and relatable.
- Avoid overly formal language like: “Hell’s Kitchen, a neighborhood in New York City, is renowned for its diverse selection of exquisite restaurants.”
- Instead, opt for a more conversational tone: “As a self-proclaimed 'pasta enthusiast,' I believed I knew good pasta. However, my visit to Hell’s Kitchen in New York introduced me to fettuccine that forever changed my pasta game.”
Craft a captivating introduction. The lead section of your column should grab the reader's attention with vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling. Unlike traditional news reporting, focus on creating an intriguing opening.
- For instance: “It was nearing midnight, and my stomach growled relentlessly. Lost and famished in the labyrinth of New York City, I stumbled upon an Italian eatery. Little did I know, this encounter would redefine my perception of pasta.”
Support your arguments with facts. While columns are opinion-driven, substantiate your viewpoints with factual evidence to bolster credibility. Conduct interviews and research to enhance the validity of your opinions.
Utilize analogies for clarity. Simplify complex concepts by employing analogies to illustrate your points effectively. Analogies help readers grasp intricate ideas presented in your column.
- For example: “To comprehend the intricacies of tax evasion, consider the files on your computer. When you move files to the 'recycle bin,' they appear erased, yet remain accessible until permanently deleted. Similarly, the CEO concealed funds akin to stashing them in the 'recycle bin' to evade scrutiny.”
Express passion and propose solutions. Infuse your column with fervor while offering viable solutions to the issues discussed. Avoid merely lamenting problems; instead, conclude your column with actionable solutions.
- For instance: “The plight of homeless veterans deeply troubles me. Let's advocate for taxing the affluent and allocating those funds to aid the homeless.”
How to Write Articles Quickly Without Compromising Quality?
Expert Advice
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Seek inspiration from existing columns to spark creativity and gather ideas.
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Ensure punctuality in meeting publication deadlines consistently.
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Maintain factual accuracy in your column. While columns may express opinions and personal perspectives, refrain from fabricating information.
