The document provides information and guidelines for writing columns for a school newspaper. It discusses that columns are becoming more prominent features that are written by trusted writers on timely topics. It outlines different types of columns like ones focused on general activities, those written with the columnist's unique perspective, editorial columns that comment on news, and humor/variety columns. It emphasizes qualities like observation, judgment, and respect. It also gives tips for column writing like choosing an engaging topic, writing with conviction, consistency, and avoiding unkind references. The overall document serves as a guide for students on developing and writing effective columns.

1. COLUMN WRITING BASICS

2. THE COLUMN
• More and more space in the school paper is
devoted to the column.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. THE COLUMN
• It may take on the functions of a news story,
the editorial or the feature – it is diverse, it is
varying.

9. 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 related
1. Philosophical-informative are on the editorial or opinion
page
2. Sports comments are on the sports page
3. News-group columns are on the news page

10. THE COLUMN
• Columns must be type-set to blend with their
respective pages.

11. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN

12. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN
• Keen observation

13. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN
• Keen observation
• Good judgment

14. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN
• Keen observation
• Good judgment
• Sound reasoning

15. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN
• Keen observation
• Good judgment
• Sound reasoning
• A knowledge of human nature and wide
acquaintanceship

16. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN
• Keen observation
• Good judgment
• Sound reasoning
• A knowledge of human nature and wide
acquaintanceship
• An original style

17. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN
• Keen observation
• Good judgment
• Sound reasoning
• A knowledge of human nature and wide
acquaintanceship
• An original style
• Tact

18. 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

19. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN
• A spirit of restraint

20. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN
• A spirit of restraint
• A high respect for the school

21. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN
• A spirit of restraint
• A high respect for the school
• Freedom from petty prejudices

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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.

25. TYPES OF COLUMNS
COLUMNIST’S COLUMNS
a. Deals with some general subject, written in
individualistic features-style on a news
background.

26. TYPES OF COLUMNS
COLUMNIST’S COLUMNS
a. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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.

31. 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

32. GUIDELINES IN COLUMN
WRITING

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. GUIDELINES IN COLUMN
WRITING
• If the column gives serious suggestions, be
sure it is reliable.

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. GUIDELINES IN COLUMN
WRITING
• Avoid unkind references to people.

40. GUIDELINES IN COLUMN
WRITING
• Avoid unkind references to people.
• Write in good taste.

41. GUIDELINES IN COLUMN
WRITING
• Avoid unkind references to people.
• Write in good taste.
• Deal only with timely material pertaining to
the school.

42. IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE
IMPORTANT IN COLUMN
WRITING

43. IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE
IMPORTANT IN COLUMN
WRITING
a. Since persuasion is a key element, CONVICTION is
necessary

44. 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

45. 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
c. The choice of style is made prior to the publication
of the first column article

46. 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
c. The choice of style is made prior to the publication
of the first column article
d. Clear, Concise, Correct, Credible, Complete and
CONSISTENT

47. 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
c. The choice of style is made prior to the publication
of the first column article
d. Clear, Concise, Correct, Credible, Complete and
CONSISTENT
e. The style one chooses gives the column its
personality;
the columnist his/her voice

48. 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

49. 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)

50. 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

51. END