The purpose of a column is to inform, interpret, and critique events for readers. A good columnist explains the background and consequences of news, determines if events are isolated or part of patterns, and how events may affect readers. They also assess different perspectives from society. A columnist should write well, be original, observe keenly, think logically, have a wide background, and be resourceful and fair. There are different types of columns, including text, number, date/time, and location columns for different kinds of data.

1. Writing
Columns

2. PURPOSE
OF THE
COLUMN

3.  The main purpose of the column is to inform,
interpret, and to a large degree, to fiscalize
 To explain the news. The columnist has to explain
their significance and consequence by:
1. Giving the background of an event b.
2. Determining whether a certain event is an
isolate case or part of the pattern
3. Pointing out how the event will affect or not
affect his readers.
4. Pooling together and assessing comments of
readers from the different segments of society.
 To entertain the readers

4. Characteristics
and
Qualities of a Columnist

5.  Ability to write good English or Filipino,
whichever is his medium.
Originality, creative ability, and imagination.
Writing skill, a forceful, flexible style.
Ability to observe keenly.

6.  Clear, logical thinking.
Wide background.
 Resourcefulness.
 Have a sense of fairness.
 Sense of humor.

7. TYPES
OF
COMLUMNS

8. • Text
• Number
• Date/Time
• Location

9. o TEXT
The default type. When text is a URL, Fusion
Tables will often automatically format it to
display a hyperlink or image in the table.
o NUMBER
Integers or decimal numbers. The second column
of a "two-column location" is often number column. In
some cases, for example with United States zip codes,
changing a column from Number to Text may give better
results.

10. o DATE/ TIME
Dates can be sorted and filtered appropriately
when the column is Date/Time. In some cases, for
example with four-digit years, it may be easier to
make the column type Number or Text.
o LOCATION
This column type indicates that the information in this
column describes a location. The description might be a
name of a place, an address, a latitude-longitude pair, or
even KML. A location column is required for map
visualizations.