ColumnWriting-DrFMNacario-1.pdf

Fely Rose M. Nacario, PhD
Resource Speaker on
COLUMN WRITING
Published Poet and Writer at Amazon
• Author of Soul’s Songs (2020)
• Rhythm of Life (2020)
• On Wings of Love (2021)
• Lotus Amidst Storms and Other
Poems (2021
Date: November 19,-21 2021

National Webinar on Campus Journalism
Facing the Challenges on Digital Journalism and Media Trends
Objectives
General:
• Understanding column writing
and its types
Specific:
• Distinguish the various types of
column
• Remember the principles and
suggestions in column writing
• Engage oneself in column writing
and use effective strategies in

COLUMN WRITING : Overview
1 What is a Column?
2 How do you write a Column?
2.1 Purpose
2.2 Audience
2.3 Content
2.4 Structure
3 Kinds of Column Writing
3.1 Sports Columns
3.2 Political Columns
3.3 Advice Columns
3.4 Humor Columns
3.5 Local Columns
4 Column Suggestions
5. Sample Columns
WORKSHOP____________________

WHAT IS A COLUMN?

WHAT IS A COLUMN?
1. Does it answer what and who?
2. Does it use “I” and “You”?
3. Does it have parts?
4. Does the writer need facts?
5. Is it a news or a news article?
6. Is it formal or informal?
7. Is it objective or subjective?
8. Is it personal or impersonal?
9. Are the topics restricted or varied?
10. Does it use familiar or unfamiliar words?

WHAT IS COLUMN?
• A recurring feature by the same author
in a newspaper, magazine or website.
• Expresses the views of the columnists;
• Characterized by voice, personality and
opinions of the writer.

WHAT IS COLUMN WRITING?
• Columns in journalism are best known
for the columnist (journalist, expert in
the field, like sports, politics, etc)
• Column writing in journalism can be
focused on any topic from politics, to
sports, to religion, to gardening

WHAT IS COLUMN WRITING?
• A column is not a news article, but it is
news.
• It generally answers why and how.
• It often is personal, using the first and
second person (I and you).
• A column often states an opinion.
• A column also has a standard head, called
a title, and a by-line (name) at the top.

Sample of a COLUMN

How do you
write a column?

PURPOSE
• Why are you writing?
• Is it to inform the community about an
event?
• Does the paper's editor, the community or
co-workers want it?
• Are you entertaining, informing or
educating?
• Do you seek an identity or exposure?

AUDIENCE
• Whom are you trying to reach?
• Who are you reaching?
• Write in their language, at their level,
about things the audience needs to
know or wants to know

CONTENT
• What will your column discuss?
• How will you discuss it?
Answer why and how to determine what.
Columns: based on facts and should be
accurate.
• Names are crucial in a personal column.
Personal columns may be informal; yet
accuracy and sourcing material counts.

STRUCTURE
• How will your message get to your
audience?
"question and answer,"
"new ideas,"
"how-to-do-it" pieces or
"calendars."

STRUCTURE
• Personal columns often have
departments.
"coming events,"
applications,
notes or other categories
• Decide on the purpose, content,
audience and structure.

Kinds of
column writing

SPORTS COLUMNS
• Sports columns offer analysis
and opinion on sports news and
trends.
• While sports reporters cover
events in real time, sports
columnists explore the broader
implications of those events.

SPORTS COLUMNS
• Provides partisan viewpoints and
arguments, as well as analysis of
political news.
• Political columnists often use wit
and satire to criticize politicians or
certain policies

ADVICE COLUMNS
• Provides readers with help and guidance
on specific topics.
• Advice columnists - experts in their
respective fields.
• Columnist on auto repair tell readers how
to diagnose engine problems or change
their oil.
• A lawyer with expertise in probate or
estate law might instruct readers how to
make a will.

HUMOR COLUMNS
• Designed to inform the readership and tickle
their funny bones at the same time.
• Humorists explore current events with wit,
playfulness and levity, providing comic relief
from hard news.
• Humorists- known for their distinct voice and
personality, and for exploring difficult issues in
funny ways.
• Example: Dave Barry of "The Miami Herald"

LOCAL COLUMNS
• Mix humor, human interest stories,
news and political coverage, even
sports, as long as the content is
relevant to local readers.
• Have long functioned as a way for
publications to connect with their
community, and for writers to explore
local issues with style and personality.

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
By Debrah Jefferson
DO in Writing a Column
• Give the reader timely, helpful information.
• Develop a structure and keep it.
• Write on a regular schedule.
• Write simple and short sentences and paragraphs.
• In personal columns, use local names and places.
• Use of quotes and references.
• Learn the difference between a column and a news
story.

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
By Debrah Jefferson
DON’T in Writing a Column
• Use technical or complex words.
• Talk in jargon or unfamiliar terms.
• Talk about one topic constantly.
• Include too much detail or material.
• Stimulate interest, not exhaust a subject.
• Refer to yourself as a third person (this
author, your reporter) or quote yourself
(Jimmy Jones said). Instead use mine.

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
1. Be specific
2. Use active voice
Ex. “The owl hooted “ is stronger than “An
owl’s hoot was heard.”
3. Use Quotes – writing event, person,
idea, refer to an authority
4. Use characterization -
Ex.Faraz is a short, rumpled little man who
wears a blue beret and his collar turned up.He
has a fat nose and big ears.

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
5. Use carry over transitional
devices
6. Show don’t tell
Ex. “The professor acted strange.”
The professor drooled on his tie, staggered
against the blackboard, and slid to the floor,
moaning.”
7. Describe scenes
8. Use vivid, figures of speech
9. Use analogies

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
TIPS from Billybuc’s House of Writing Tips
WRITE WITH POWER AND CONVICTION
• Believe in your opinion; write about it
• Strength of your conviction should be
apparent
• Sell your viewpoint with a strong
statements

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
KEEP YOUR FOCUS
• Make your article about one thing only
• Stray not from your message.
• Focus on your title; make a strong
impression.

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
BE AWARE OF OPPOSITE VIEWPOINTS
• Anticipate what will be said against you so that
you have arguments ready to combat the
negative comments.
• Respond to objections before they are made.
• Be proactive and convincing rather than
reactive and wishy-washy.

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
USE SIMPLE ANALOGIES
• Readers associate better with an example from
real life. (complicated or technical subject)
• Use a simple analogy to drive your point
home. Your readers will appreciate it and be
much more willing to sign on to your point of
view

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
USE FACTS
• Use facts and statistics.
• Back your opinion up with some facts.
• Don’t be a loudmouth and speak nonsense.
• Use facts in your article so your argument
carries weight with the reader.

COLUMN SUGGESTIONS
NAME REAL PEOPLE AS EXAMPLES
• Nameless concepts and policies mean very little to
the average reader.
• Naming a celebrity who they recognize carries much
more weight.
• If you are doing a controversial piece, don’t be afraid
to name real people and criticize them.
• Just don’t be too critical or you run the risk of
sounding a bit deranged and obsessive.

Sample
Column
1

Sample
Column
2

Sample
Column
3

Sample
Column
4

Sample
Column
5

Sample
column
6

TOPICS FOR WORKSHOP
• Why I Should Vote for the Best
Candidate
• Elections and the Future of the Youth
• Vaccination Should Not Be Imposed
on People

REFERENCES
Debrah Jefferson, Writing Columns, Extension and Agricultural Information
https://extension.missouri.edu/cm360?fbclid=IwAR1jSeBp-
esYTjMtKXrWQ2be7TsfBnG1oyHuIZqMEbOvCOz9kg43msFfvMU#example
https://study.com/academy/answer/what-is-column-
writing-in-journalism.html
https://penandthepad.com/types-columns-journalism-
6048715.html
https://owlcation.com/academia/Ten-Tips-For-Better-
Column-and-Article-Writing

Rubrics in Column Writing

ColumnWriting-DrFMNacario-1.pdf

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