How Do You Write A News Column?
A column is not news, but it is news related. It usually answers the how and why of an event. The column is written like an open letter, often in first person. The purpose is to give the reader ideas about a subject. Know the difference between a news story and a column. Consider the audience, purpose, content and structure before writing because those factors determine many qualities of the column. Remember who you are talking to. Provide information that will help them in language they can understand. Take notes on names, ideas, impressions and figures when you visit someone or a location. This makes the best material for a column. Use local places and names when writing personal columns. Write the column about people. Tell the story through experiences of local people. Use references and quotes to let others convey your thoughts. Seek to uncover an opening “lead” to catch readers’ interests. Determine your structure and stick to it. Write regularly, on a schedule. Write how you talk
A news column is a journalist’s time to connect to the community on a personal level that is not possible with day to day objective news writing. Columns are often written in first person and can contain experiences from the writer’s life, or simply the writer’s opinion on a topic. • Keep a personal tone. This is your time to reach out, so make sure to let the reader know that these opinions are coming from you. This is also important because the newspaper itself may not agree with the opinions stated. It is also not a good idea to go against the grain of the newspaper. If the newspaper in question endorses candidates, do not write a glowing opinion piece about the opposing candidate. • Don’t make unnecessary enemies. I once wrote a column about the scant hours that local antique stores were open and how it would be better if they weren’t “always closed.” This caused a firestorm of phone calls and letters from antique store owners demanding a retraction. In a small- to mid-sized commun
