Column Writing

Research and Lecture by:

BRIANE S. SALVACION
School Paper Adviser-English
Libertad National High School
Libertad, Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte

NOTE: The following is a compilation of resources from various internet

and printed sources, as well as from personal experience and
knowledge. I don’t own the copyright for the materials, and
THIS IS FOR ACADEMIC DISCUSSION ONLY. Don’t post this in
any website, or share beyond the four corners of our classroom.

I. Organizing your op-ed

A. In general, an op-ed should be organized in 4 steps:
1. State the subject and your position on the subject in the
introduction
2. Discuss opposing points of view.
3. Prove your position with supporting details
4. Draw a conclusion
II. Tips for Writing
A. Keep it right. Don’t ramble or preamble. Have a point and
get to it. if necessary-and it usually is-recap key facts and
summarize the issue quickly (i.e. in one paragraph or less.)
remember, most readers have a short attention span. The
longer your editorial, the fewer the people who will read it.
B. Keep it relevant. You should choose a current, newsworthy
topic. By current, I mean something that has happened in the
past week or is ongoing. Don’t harp on something that has
been decided months ago. By newsworthy, I mean choose
topics that are interesting and relevant to many people-or
that people ought to care about. Editorials on obscure topics
have limited impact. Don’t shy away from controversial topics.
C. Take a position. Don’t be wishy-washy and merely say, ”This
is a controversial issue.” Or,” Lawmakers need to consider the
 pros and cons when deciding this issue.” Or, “study both
sides of the President’s economic stimulus plan.” Also, avoid
clichés and broad platitudes, like “Support our troops.” Argue
for a certain side, cause or position. Develop a strong thesis
statement.
NOTE: Avoid using words such as “ I think” or “in my opinon”
in an op-ed. Of course you think it, you’re writing it. In
reality, these words often weaken your argument anyway. It is
a much stronger statement to say ”This is an injustice” than
to say “I think this is wrong.” Don’t leave any doubt in your
reader’s mind about the stance taken in your’ op-ed.
D. Attack the issues, not people. Avoid adhominem attacks,
such as namecalling. if someone’s actions are problem, focus
on those actions instead of the person himself. For example,
don’t say, “George Bush’s is an idiot.” Say, George Bush’s
policies will hurt America because…”
E. Keep your cool. It’s good to be passionate about an issue but
try not to come across as angry. Angry people usually don’t
think logically. And they tend to base their arguments on
emotions, and not facts, which is less effective.
F. Old rules apply. Many of the same rules for writing a news
story apply for writing a good op-ed. You need a strong lead
and good finish. Grab readers’ attention at the beginning,
maintain their interest and conclude with a thoughtful
ending. Additionally, you need sources: quotes from experts,
statistics, scientific studies, surveys, etc.
G. Your op-ed should also be written in the third person.
Never say, for example, “I feel” or “I believe.” Of course you
feel or believe what’s in your article-you’re the one who wrote
it. Unless, you are sharing a personal anecdote that is
essential to illustrating your point, avoid writing in the first
person all together. Therefore, your story should not contain
pronouns such as “I, we, us, our”.
H. Opinion vs. argument
1. opinion- is simply your view on an issue.
 2. An argument- is an opinion that’s based on facts,
evidence, and logical reasoning-not just feelings and
preferences.
NOTE: opinions are not enough!
 Sample claim: The Legislature should pass a law
requiring all bicyclists to wear helmets.
 Sample fact: A Stanford University study found that
70 percent of bicycle injuries are heat-related, and
most of those could have been avoided had the cyclist
been wearing a helmet.

NOTE: Basic Formula of Argument Construction: Evidence+

Reasoning Pattern= Claim

Therefore, your op-eds should not only contain an opinion

(i.e. your stance on an issue). They must also be backed up
by evidence.

I. Types of evidence
1. Example and illustrations: describe or report events,
phenomena that exist. Examples are brief statements;
illustrations are more detailed accounts.
2. Statistics: numerically represent information about
people, events and phenomena; they may be expressed in
raw numbers or summarized in percentages and averages.
3. Artifacts: are actual exhibits of such things as objects,
audiotapes and videotapes, photographs and diagrams.
4. Premises: are factual claims that exist as evidence on the
basis of their being accepted as reflections of human belief
or experience. In other words, these are rules of wisdom,
such as Monkey see monkey do” or “What goes up must
come down.”
5. Scientific evidence: reports the results of field and
laboratory experiments on the effect of one variable on
another.
6. Expert testimony: is interpretive and evaluative
statements made by an expert in a field regarding factual
information relevant to the field. So, for example, if you’re
 writing about a health issue, you might quote a professor
of medicine from John Hopkins.

Examples: Take a look at the sample editorials. You’ll see that both
contains facts and evidence (both mention surveys) relevant to their
position. Note also how they use reasoning to support their claims.

J. Where to find sources

1. Don’t just rely on Google
2. visit the library, ask a librarian
3. interview experts: professors, staff students, etc.

How to write op-ed article:

S- State the problem/situation

P-State your position
E- Give evidence to support your position
C- State and refute the position of the other side in the conclusion
S- Offer possible solutions to the problem

Ten Tips For Better Column Writing and Article Writing

Updated on May 18, 2016
Bill Holland

A Few Introductory Remarks

What is it they say about opinions? Something about opinions are like
as$%&#$, that we all have one? Well it’s true, we all do have opinions,
and most certainly writers all have topics to write about and their own
personal slant with which to write. Opinion articles, and columns, are
wonderful genres that allow us to speak out on issues that we feel
strongly about. However, it is not enough to simply state your opinion.
For a writer, it is equally important that we follow some guidelines so
that our opinion is heard and considered. Otherwise, we may just as well
go down to the local tavern, pull up a stool, and share our opinions there
over a couple of beers.
I read a piece once by Robert L. Haught, a columnist for The Oklahoman.
In it he said that he tries to follow the 4-S Formula:
 Make it short….consider that the attention span of your average
reader is slightly longer than a fruit fly’s attention span. Add to that
 the fact that many magazines and newspapers demand, because of
shrinking space, that an article be no longer than a 1000 words, and
you have ample reason to make your article or column piece
reasonably short.
 Make it simple….Do not write beyond the intelligence of your
average reader. You might be dazzled by your intelligence, but if your
readers cannot understand your language then you wasted time and
effort.
 Make it sound….Make sure that what you write will stand up
under scrutiny. In other words, have all your little ducks in a row.
 Make it sing….Use your voice and make your piece a work of art, or
in this case, music. Remember that the competition is tough and
growing daily. Your article or column must stand out from the crowd.
WRITE WITH POWER AND CONVICTION
Writing opinion pieces requires that you strongly believe in your opinion.
The strength of your conviction should be apparent in your writing. This
is no time to straddle the fence. If you feel strongly enough about a
subject to write about it, then sell your viewpoint with strong statements.
KEEP YOUR FOCUS
Make your article about one thing and one thing only. The more you
stray from your message the more your message is watered down. Keep
your focus throughout the article so that you make a strong impression
on your readers.
BE AWARE OF OPPOSITE VIEWPOINTS
In order to sell your point of view you need to be aware of the opposing
point of view. Anticipate what will be said against you so that you have
arguments ready to combat the negative comments. As you write,
respond to objections before they are made. In other words, be proactive
and convincing rather than reactive and wishy-washy.
USE FACTS
Few readers want to wade through endless facts and statistics. However,
if you can’t back your opinion up with some facts then you are just
another loudmouth spouting nonsense. Your opinion must be based on
some fact, right? Then use that fact, or facts, in your article so your
argument carries weight with the reader.
USE SIMPLE ANALOGIES
Many times, readers will associate better with an example from real life,
especially if you are writing about a somewhat 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.

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.
If I am doing a piece on the homeless situation of American veterans, I
would have no problem criticizing President Obama for not doing nearly
enough to ease the problem, just as I would single out and name a police
chief in a city where sex trafficking is occurring on a large scale.
BE A REPORTER
The more research you do the better informed you are, and the better
informed you are the more credibility you will have. If possible, get out in
the community and conduct interviews, but at the very least you need to
do some responsible online research. Remember, you are trying to be
taken seriously, and you will be taken much more seriously if you
actually know what you are writing about.
LOCALIZE AND PERSONALIZE
If you are writing an article or column for a local publication, then
whenever possible make sure that you give it a local angle if possible.
Instead of the national homeless issue, make it the homeless issue in
your hometown.
Also, tie your focus or topic into a personal experience that everyone can
relate to. In my case, I have been homeless, so I would make sure that I
mentioned that in my article about being homeless. Again, I gain
credibility if I can show that I understand the issue from firsthand
experience.
SHOW PASSION
Column writers, or opinion article writers, must be passionate. Nobody
wants to hear a vanilla opinion piece. This is your stage so shout it out
and sell your point of view. Your job as a writer is to excite the reader.
You can’t do that unless your passion shines through.
PROVIDE A SOLUTION
Last, but not least, all the whining in the world about a problem is
worthless unless you provide a solution to the problem. Readers read
opinion pieces because they want insight and answers. It is your job to
provide both. Complaining is meaningless unless you can stand on your
convictions and suggest intelligent alternatives.

Final Thoughts
A writer has the power to persuade. A writer has the power to lift up the
downfallen and give hope to those who sorely need it. Writing opinion
articles and columns should be a noble calling. You feel so strongly
about a topic or problem that you feel compelled to write about it, and
that compulsion and conviction should scream from your piece.
This is not a time for soft, foreplay background music. This is a time for
slam, bam, thank you ma’am, tubas and trombones and cymbals
crashing in the night as you drive home your point.
Now you know what to do. Take these suggestions and wrap them
around an opinion piece that will make me proud. Take these
suggestions and wrap them around an opinion piece that will make you
proud.

Column writing

 Columns are the most personal of all newspaper writing. They have
a very newspaper writing. They have a very personal appeal, an
authoritative influence, and very useful contributions to make in
spreading news and opinions.
 They are written to inform, to influence, or to entertain readers.
 They are high in reader-interest for they stimulate public
discussion of the day’s affairs
I. Purpose/s:
1. To explain the news
2. to point out how the event will affect or not affect the readers
 3. to entertain the readers
II. Essentials:
1. Article giving opinion/perspective
2. approximately 500 to 850 words
3. opinion of the columnist not necessarily shared by the staff

III. sources of materials

1. current news
2. observations
3. interviews
4. commendable projects
5. people researches
6. investigations
IV. Types of columns
A. Editorial column
 personal column found on the editorial page
 makes use of humor to drive home the message
 highest expression of press freedom
B. Readers column
 comments sent in by the readers are placed.
 some newspapers call it “ Letters to the Editor”
C. Business Column
 contains materials about economy, trade commerce and
industry
D. Sports column
 deals exclusively about sports
E. Art column
 deals mostly on painting, architecture, flower
arrangement, paper mache, ikebana, and the like.
F. Women’s column
 concerns itself about the latest fashion, beauty tips and
anything about homemaking.
G. entertainment column
 all about music, theater, cinema, and the people
involved in them.
 H. new products and inventions
 a science paper usually has a column about the latest
products and inventions, and the researches being
conducted by some prominent scientists.
I. personality column
 play up of a person, his significant achievements, his
activities, dreams, and ambitions.
J. reviews
 review of an article, a book, a movie, a drama or a
painting.
V. Type of column according to content
1. the opinion column
 resembles an editorial in form but, in contrast with the
editorials impersonal and anonymous approach, carries
the personal, stamp of the writers own ideas.
2. the hodge-podge column
 where the author lumps together odds and ends of
information, a poem here, an announcement there, a
pointed paragraph, a modernized proverb, a joke or an
interesting question.
3. essay column
4. gossip column

VI. Structure of a column

a. column’s regular title
b. headline- try to use alliteration or anything witty
example: Kitang kita ang kita/Money matters
Kwento ng kwenta/Silent session
use of pun-SPEDtacular/PROSTitution
c. byline
d. lead/introduction (hook: clearly present the main point)
1. shocking statistics
The Department of Education confirmed that public
school teachers’ debt has reached P300 billion. This is
the accumulated value of teachers’ loan from GSIS
amounting to P178 billion and Pag-ibig Fund with P120
 billion excluding the loans from private lending
institutions.
2. controversial statement
Prostitution is everywhere in Lucena City. What is
more shocking is that there are more males involved in
this ‘trade’ than the females, city DSWD office reported.

3. rhetorical question
If we have forgiven the Japanese that easy, why can’t we
forgive Marcos.
e. body.
2.5 supporting facts (each fact on its own paragraph)
1. POINT-state the fact
2. PROOF-paraphrase or quote an external source/statement
of same or related incident
3. ANALYSIS- comment on fact and proof presented. Write
about YOUR OPINION on the facts you have included.
Comment on each fact.
4. transition into personal experience (optional)
f. conclusion
 conclude by creatively restating your main point.
 finish with a statement linking to your lead
(a call for action works well)
VII. Dealing with variety of column pieces
1. national or regional issues
2. local or school concerns
3. global issues
4. human interest issues
NOTE: issues must be grounded and connected to local
experiences.

Sample Column:

More isn’t enough (oxymoron/irony)

The Department of Education confirmed that public school

teachers’ debt has reached P300 billion. This is the accumulated value of
teachers’ loan from GSIS amounting to P178 billion and Pag-ibig Fund
with P120 billion excluding the loans from private lending institutions.
(SHOCKING STATISTICS)
It sounds alarming. There is an urgent need for DepEd to launch
financial literacy programs to advocate them on how to manage their
finances. (POSITION) topic+modal verb/linking verb+position+reason
The proliferation of private lending institutions lured teachers to
borrow money since the salary they receive cannot suffice even the
simplest cost of living (POINT # 1) A teacher I with a salary of P20,000 is
just enough for a single person’s expenses for a month. The high cost of
living brought by high prices of basic commodities adds difficulties to
teachers financial struggles. The 2017 DepEd statistics revealed that 7 in
every 10 teachers are bread winners of the family. Their salary is
consumed by the family’s basic needs. They usually fall short of finances
when unexpected expenses come. So, they resort to loans in private
institutions, who are more ‘friendly’ and accommodating. In fact, DepEd
states that 86 percent of teachers nationwide have loans to City Savings,
PR Bank, East West, Wealth, Manila Teachers’ Mutual Aid System and
other lending institutions. (PROOFS)
There is a 49 percent increase on status of teachers’ loans since
Secretary Briones assumed her cabinet post in 2016. (ANALYSIS)
Apparently, such numbers speak of truth. Teachers with big
families have no choice but to keep on renewing their loans to make both
ends meet. Sometimes, the only option left for them is to make loans to
provide their family needs. (IMPLICATIONS)

POINT # 2: Of all professions teachers have the most

personally shouldered expenses.
PROOFS:
a. Engineers and others have allowances for travels,
hotels, all materials for projects
b. teachers, despite chalk allowance spend personal
budgets on visual aids, ICT resources, professional
growth, trainings, education, etc.
c. Children’s education, and related family expenses.

ANALYSIS:
 POINT # 3: Sec. Briones’ directive to stop all loans from
private lending companies add burden to teachers.

PROOF/S:

a. strict rules on DO 38 S. 2017 regulating teacher’s

loans
b. teachers resort to 5-6 with 20% interest per month
(with statistics)

ANALYSIS

POINT # 4: Teachers overspending

PROOFS:

a. luxurious lifestyle (with surveys, stats)

b. travels and vacations
c. gadgets, personal belongings (reference: SALN)

ANALYSIS

CONCLUSION: (Recommended solutions)

a. Comprehensive financial literacy program

b. salary increase
VIII. POINTERS
1. Personal is political
2. personal insights should be tested against facts
3. no such thing as “this is my opinion.”
4. even opinions should be based on facts not merely emotion
5. column writing promotes diversity
6. Write with conviction. Put forward your opinion as
something you truly believe in. Argue your case with
conviction. Come down hard on one side of an issue. Be
unequivocal. Don’t sound like a fence sitter.
7. Maintain your focus. As much as possible stick to one topic
or issue. That’s one way to make a strong impression on your
readers and convince them that your point of view is worth
considering.
8. Understanding opposing viewpoints: be mindful of
arguments from all sides. Anticipate objections to your views
and deal with them with sound reasoning. If you’re not
familiar with the opposing views, you will not be able to argue
your points well.
9. Refer to facts: Your arguments, no matter how logical, will
not carry much weight unless they are backed up by facts
that support your position. Don’t overdo this by dumping too
many statistics on your readers. Use facts from reliable
sources.