COLUMN WRITING
COLUMN WRITING
Columna - Latin; pillar (pantheon, great buildings)
Vertical division of the page since mid-1400s
Article giving opinions or perspectives
500 to 850 words
Editorial-opinion/stand of the newspaper or school publication, or of the editors
of the paper
Column-opinion of the columnist, not necessarily shared by the news.
Also known as OP-ED
Originally: OPPOSITE THE EDITORIAL
NOW: Opinion-Editorial
VARIETY OF COLUMN
PIECES
National or Regional Issues
Local/School Concerns
Global Issues
Human Interests
ENSURE THAT ISSUES MUST BE GROUNDED AND
CONNECTED TO CAMPUS EXPERIENCE. ISSUES MUST
HAVE CONNECTIONS TO CAMPUS CONCERNS.
EXPERIENTIAL
Personal insights should be tested against facts
No such thing as “This is MY OPINION”. The opinion
must respect the evidences
Even opinions should be based on facts, not merely
emotions
Column writing promotes diversity
Note: DO NOT WRITE OPINIONS WHEN YOU DO NOT
EXPERIENCE OR YOU ARE NOT INVOLVE IN A CERTAIN ISSUE.
DISCOURSE
The ability or power to connect seemingly unrelated
matters (may pag-uusapan at may paghuhugutan – kapag
ang isyu ay pinag-uusapan ibig sabihin ito ay mahalaga)
Example:
1.Duterte and Hitler
2.Martial Law and No Hair Color Policy
3.Heavy Traffic and Ants
TURN INSIGHT INTO EXPRESSION
Empower students to find their voice
Teach them to learn, not to stock knowledge
Teach them to express what they have learned
Encourage them to re-think their learning's
ETHICS OF COLUMN WRITING
You cannot succeed as a columnist unless youcombine
your craft/skills with strong critical thinking and
sound ethical decision-making
The more competent you are in ethical decision-making,
the more confident you will become in your ability to
meet the tests you face.
Note: BE CAREFUL. OPINIONS WILL BE SUBJECTED ALWAYS
TO CRITICISM.
ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS
Accuracy means “getting it right”
Fairness means pursuing the truth with both
vigor, compassion and reporting information
without favoritism, self-interest or prejudice
“The method is objective, not the journalist.
The key is discipline of the craft, not the aim”.
Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel,
The Elements of Journalism
Note: YOUR OPINION WILL BECOME THE VOICE OF
EVERYBODY.
OPINIONS ARE CRITICAL.
IT IS MOSTLY INFLUENCED BY BIAS
AVOID COMMERCIAL BIAS
News is sponsored by advertisers. Does the news
presented reflect the advertisements embedded within
the media?
AVIOD TEMPORAL BIAS
To be immediate and fresh, the news must ever-changing
even when there is little news to cover.
News agencies look for "breaking stories," often relegating
old news to the back page or leaving it entirely uncovered.
VISUAL BIAS
Television and increasingly the newspaper is biased toward visual depiction of news to
exaggerate the issue. Including visuals will draw the reader's attention. Do images
presented evoke specific responses? Do they prejudice the reader to view the news one
way?
BAD NEWS
BIAS
Good news is boring. This bias makes the world look like a
more dangerous place than it really is. Plus, this bias makes
politicians look far more crooked than they really are.
NARRATIVE OR NEWS MEDIA
BIAS
Writers will generally
develop a plot line -
beginning, middle, and
end - complete with
drama. News, however,
is rarely so tidy. Remind
yourself that stories you
read in the news are
"unfolding." If a story
captures your attention,
its best to follow that
story over a period of
time.
STATUS QUO BIAS
- It is an emotional bias; a
preference for the current state
of affairs. The current baseline
(or status quo) is taken as a
reference point, and any
change from that baseline is
perceived as a loss.
bia
s
ess
irn
Fa
- This manifests as a contention between/among political actors (also narrative bias)
- Ethical journalism is, in theory, fair. When a controversy arises, reporters will generally
attempt to get the "other side" of the story. When a rebuttal is reported, it can seem like the
media is taking one side or another. Read carefully to determine if presentation of both
arguments is neutral. (DO NOT WRITE JUST BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU LIKE IT OR
YOU DON’T LIKE IT. DO NOT BE INFLUENCED BY YOUR PREFERENCE)
GLORY
BIAS
Journalists especially
television reporters often assert
themselves into the stories they
cover. This bias helps
journalists establish and
maintain a cultural identity as
knowledgeable insiders
(although many journalists
reject the notion that follows
from this--that they are players
in the game and not merely
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
When individuals face
competing loyalties to a
source or to their own self-
interest, or to their
organization’s economic
needs as opposed to the
information needs of the
public.
DECEPTION
Can take many forms, from
outright lying to misleading,
misrepresenting or merely
being less than forthright
Use real people, concepts
and policies, misleading
people’s belief and
perceptions
PLAGIARISM
“Great journalists
credit others”
- Aly Colon
Poynter Institute
PRIVACY
Need for free information flow vs. rights of individuals to
personal privacy
Harm from invasion of privacy is almost certain, but it is
more difficult for a journalist to fully identify benefits from
intrusion
PRIVACY
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
Seek the truth and reporting it as fully as
possible
Act independently
Minimize harm
Be accountable
What’s the difference between an Article and a Column?
Articles Column
-Objective -Subjective
• Aims to inform audience of • Aims to give an opinion on a
an issue subject matter
• Gives inside info or the
elaboration about the subject/
issue/news that are hidden to
public view
“When news is in the
wind, readers, listeners
and viewers, lean into
it, feeling for its
meaning, trying to
detect its importance to
them and their lives”
-Conrad C. Fink
That’s when the COLUMNIST comes in
• report, analyze, comment, and personalize the
news.
• inform the readers of what he may not know
• form or help to form public opinion when he
comments with his logic, humor, emotion on an
issue of the day
• as an interpreter, columnist condenses the main
news into clear logical and effective sentence to
emphasize the meat of the story.
UNIQUE ROLE PUBLIC ROLE
Responsibility to gather Building new models to
information and present it help citizens find ways
to the public to have power
Tell the community about Newspaper as an
significant issues so advocate, activist,
people can make agenda setter and
important decisions in community convenor
their lives
Forms of writing used in columns
The columnist is free to use any
form of writing. He may use the
essay or story form; on certain
occasions, he may even use verse.
Types of columns according to purpose
Editorial column –any personal column in the editorial page
on critical issues.
Exchange/Reader’s column – column of comments
sent in by the readers
Feature column
Discussive articles (interview type)
Columns on various topics
Business column
Sports column
Art column
Types of columns according to purpose
Women’s column
Entertainment column
New products and inventions
Personality
Food for thought
Book Reviews
How to Do It columns
Humor Column
Sources of materials
Current news
Observations
Interviews
Commendable projects
People researches
Investigations
Sample Structure of a Column
Headline (Title) –try to use some alliterations
ex. Filipino, Filipinos; Taong Tambay, Tumba
By Line –Your name
Lead (hook) – a shocking stat or rhetorical
question works well
-creatively introduce your topic
-clearly present your main point (50 words)
Sample Structure of a Column
Present your 2-5 supporting FACTS (250 words)
This involves:
Point – state the fact
Proof – paraphrase or quote an external source
Analysis – comment on the proof presented
Write about your OPINION on the facts you have included
(start with a strong stance). Comment on the facts. Transition
in to a personal experience (optional). (250 words)
Sample Structure of a Column
Conclude by creatively restating your main point.
Finish with a statement linking to your lead (a
CALL to ACTION works well) (50 words)
Editorial Column
All parts
Uses and Uses
“WE” structure “I”
Workshop Proper
Write a column article. You may use some of the
topics/ issues like:
1. The SDDSU – NEMSU Migration
2. The NEMSU Experience/Journey
3. NEMSU Now and in the Future
4. Struggles and Success of a NEMSU Student
Thank
You!!!
