1. Lecture -10 Column writing
Writinga newspapercolumnisthe breadandbutterof many journalists.While itmayseem
straightforward,there are alotof importantthingstorememberwhenproducingacolumnthataren't
all justabout the writingitself.Maintainingjournalisticintegrityrequiresthe abilitytopresentbalanced,
bias-free,objective,andfairreporting.Beingacolumnistcarriesthe responsibilityof beingsupportiveof
your sources,gettingthe factsstraight,andnotembroilingyourselfinconflictsof interest.Naturally,all
of these challengesare relishedbyagood columnistandif you're a keenwriterplusaloverof
communicating,thenbeingacolumnistmaybe justthe rightcareer for you.
Step1
Know how to write and communicate well.Youwill needagoodunderstandingof usingthe English
language andnot justgrammatically.It'simportanttobe comfortable withusingthe language toconvey
emotions,topersuade,toengender trust,toenlightenpeople,toclarify issues,andtomake whatyou
write interesting.
Step2
Know the basics expectedbehindacolumn.Columnsare meantto provide enoughinformationfora
readerwithoutdrawingthemintotoo muchreading.Onaverage,a shortarticle for a columnwill be
about500 wordsor less,while few columnsgobeyond1200 words
Step3
Be preparedto thoroughlyanalyze the topics you write about. You will alsoneedtohave toprate
analytical skillsanda willingnesstopresentbothsidesof astory(or more if needed) ratherthansimply
remainingcapturedbyyourownperspective of anissue.Goodjournalismisobjectiveanddoesn'tseek
to take sides(leave youropinionsforthe editorial section) butitalsooffersbalance toensure thatnot
onlyone side of the story ispresented.Putyourdevil'sadvocate glassesonwhen examininganyissues
and see howyoufare viewingsituationsfromall sides!
Step4
Findinterestingtopics or anglesto draw in the reader. Evenif youhave the freedomtowrite acolumn
of yourchoosing,youare still reinedinbyhavingtoprovide whatpeople wanttoread.Be consciousof
whatis fashionable,topical,current,andlikelytointerestreaders
Step5
Put accuracy at the top of your list.Be preparedtodo research andto learnas much as youcan while
preparingit,anddraw heavilyonspeakingtoexpertsinthatfieldsothatyouget yourinformation
correct priorto writingitup.
Step6

2. Avoid conflictsof interest.Sometimesacolumnistmaywrite aboutsomeonetheyhave close tiesto,or
somethingthey're affiliatedwithorhave a connectionto,suchas a companyin whichthe columnistisa
shareholder,oranorganizationthatthe columnistisafrequentcustomerof,etc
Step7
Make it clear who the sources are in your stories.Whenwritinga newspapercolumn,nobodywantsto
reada tennismatchof "he said,she said".Be clearas to whomyou're speakingabout,including
theirexpertisetospeaktothe matter
Step8
Use original writing. Plagiarizingisasad indictmentforapersonwho writesfora living.If youdon'tfeel
youcan produce whatneedstobe producedbecause of time pressures,disinterestinthe topic,other
pressingmatters,etc.,thenbe honestwithyoureditorsandaskfora differenttopicortake that break
youneed to pull yourself together.