This document provides guidance on writing columns. It defines a column as a piece of writing presenting the author's perspective on a subject supported by reasons and examples. Columns typically appear regularly under the same title/head and are written by the same person on timely topics. Qualities of a good columnist include being a keen observer with strong reasoning skills and respect for their institution. Columns can cover a variety of topics and take different forms, such as opinion, editorial, humor, or personality columns. Effective columns catch the reader's interest, clearly state the main point, support it with facts, include the author's opinion, and call readers to action. Writers should focus their columns, choose an engaging style, and balance entertainment with information.

1. COLUMN WRITING
by: JOJI UBALDO CABATIC
Communications Development Officer I
TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
basyo1981@gmail.com
(+63)9303626884; (+63)997-7636003

3. Also called an Op-Ed, it is a piece of writing which
presents the author’s point of view or perspective on a
particular subject supported by reasons and examples. It
usually contains 500-850 words.
What is a Column?
Editorial - opinion/stand of the newspaper or school
publication, or of the editors of the paper
Column - opinion of the columnist, not necessarily shared
by the news.

4.  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 honor of signing his /her name to the column is
granted only to the best or the most trusted writers of
the staff.
 Its treatment may range from light to serious; its 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.

5.  Columns are placed on the section which they are
related
 It may take on the functions of a news story, the
editorial or the feature – it is diverse, it is varying.
 Columns must be type-set to blend with their respective
pages.

6. Qualities of a Columnist
 Keen observer
 Possesses a good judgment
 Has a sound reasoning
 Has a knowledge of human nature
 Has an original style
 Tact
 Has a wholesome sense of humor
 Has a spirit of restraint
 Has a high respect for the institution he belongs
 Has a freedom from petty prejudices

7. Column Topics
 National or Regional Issues
 Local or School Concerns
 Global issues
 Human Interest
• Ensure that issues are grounded and connected
to national/local experience
 Experiential
 Discourse
 Insights to Expression

8. Column Varieties
• Deals with some general subject, written in individualistic
features-style on a news background.
• The personality of the columnist as revealed in his/her
comments and writing style is the main attraction of this
column.
 Variety/Humor Column
 Columnist’s 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.

9. Column Varieties
• like the editorial, it comments on or interprets timely subjects
 Editorial Column
• 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.
 Opinion Column
• Concerned with the reader’s views. It may take the form of a
poll or “inquiring reporter” and the letter to the editor.
• Deals with a timely subject and may single out a group for
attention if the new spotlights this group’s interest

10. Sample Structure
 Headline (Title) – try to use figures of speech
 Byline – authors name
 Lead (hook) – a shocking fact or a rhetorical question
works well.
• Clearly present your main point
• Creatively introduce your topic
 Present your two to five supporting FACTS; each of its
own paragraph. This involves:
• Proof – paraphrase or quote an external source
• Point – state the fact
• Analysis – comment on the proof presented

11.  Write about your opinion on the facts that you
have included (start with a firm stance).
Comment on each fact.
 Transition in to a personal experience (optional)
 Conclude by creatively restating your main point
 Finish with a statement linking to your lead (a
call to action works well)

12.  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 Writing a Column
 If the column gives serious suggestions, be sure it is
reliable.
 For variety, deal with different aspects of the main
topic.

13.  Have items set in various typographical styles, such as
italics, in boldtype, different points, caps, short clever
heads.
 Avoid unkind references to people
 Write in good taste.
 Deal only with timely material

14.  Since persuasion is a key element, conviction is
necessary.
 Study issue on all angles, then make a stand. And stand
firm!
 Choose a style prior to the publication of the first
column article. The style gives the column its identity;
the columnist, his/her voice
 Article must be clear, grammatically correct,
credible, complete and consistent.
Tips in Writing Column
 Focus on your topic, setting priority on purpose and
audience. Don’t submit yourself to the temptation of
going outside your area of expertise.
 Consider your own strengths and weaknesses

15.  Catch the reader’s eye. You must signal that your topic is
an interesting one, and you have something fresh to say
about it.
 Your reader should have a general idea of where you are
going. They should know in the first paragraph what you
are writing.
 Opinion writing is half entertaining, half informing. A
delicious word out of place, or a clever turn of phrase,
will work wonders to keep your reader going – and
absorbing your argument. Substance requires form.
 Simplicity is beauty. Be concise.