Column Writing Tips_MJMC_SEM 2_PAPER 203.pdf

1. COLUMN
WRITING TIPS
MJMC/SEM 2/PAPER 203
P R E S E N T E D B Y
D R . A RC H A NA B H A RT I
G U E S T FAC U LT Y, M M H A & P U PAT NA
DAT E – 2 3 / 0 4 / 2 0 0 2 0

2. WRITING COLUMNS
v To write a good column requires more than just
the ability to articulate an opinion.
v Follow the work of several established columnist
and analyze their writings to discover how they
project their arguments and how they make
effective use of anecdotes, quotes and statistics.
v Column writing is very different from other
forms of writing because unlike straight news
and feature writing, columns have dedicated
readerships.

3. COLUMN WRITING TIPS
Ø Write with conviction – Put forward your
opinion as something you truly believe in. Argue
your case with conviction.
Ø Maintain your focus – Make your column about
one thing and one thing alone. Maintain your
focus.
Ø Understand opposing viewpoints – Be mindful
of the opposing argument. Anticipate objections
to your point of view and deal with them
convincingly with sound reasoning.

4. COLUMN WRITING TIPS
Ø Refer to facts – Use of facts from reputable
sources.
Ø Use analogies – Using a simple analogy from
ever yday life makes the issue more
understandable and relevant to the reader.
Ø Be Critical – People like reading columnists who
dare to criticize real life people. It make your
column an interesting and exciting read.

5. COLUMN WRITING TIPS
Ø Do reporting – It is possible to write columns
without doing any reporting but the best columns
typically involve some form of reporting. When
you report, you get on the ground and you gain a
better sense of what’s really happening.
Ø Localize and personalize – Localize your story
whenever possible. Aso tie it to some personal
experience. This makes more real, relevant and
memorable to the reader.
Ø Be passionate and provide a solution.

6. HOW TO WRITE A COLUMN
Before writing a column
Think about Purpose,
Audience, Content and
Structure.

7. FEW STEPS TO FOLLOW FOR A
GOOD COLUMN WRITING
v STRUCTURE – There are different structures for
columns. You might want a column that is in the form
of “question and answer,’ to give advice or to educate.
Informative columns can also be written in a “how to
format.”
v ANECDOTE – Columns built around a single
anecdote take on the character of a mini-feature.
v FEATURE – A Feature, usually a profile, is a common
column format. The difference between this and a
regular feature is the greater length of the regular
feature.
v INSTRUCTIVE- Informal style.

8. STYLE
The successful columnist is one who has
developed a personal style.
USE
HUMOUR
EXPRESS
PRIVATE
THOUGHTS
BE
CREATIVE
USE
DRAMATIC
ELEMENTS

9. STYLE
The successful columnist is one who has
developed a personal style.
BORROW
TECHNIQUES
FROM
FICTION
SHARPEN
YOUR
VOCABULARY
LEARN TO
LISTEN U
OTHERS
WRITER FOR
OTHERS

10. THANK YOU