Suggestions for

Beginning
Columnists
When writing a column,
do:
1. Give the reader timely, helpful information;
2. Develop a structure and keep it. Write on a
regular schedule;
3. Write simple and short
sentences and paragraphs;

4. In personal columns, use

local names and places;
5. Let others speak for you by use of
quotes and references; and

6. Learn the difference between a column

and a news story
WHEN WRITING
A COLUMN, DO
NOT
 1. Use technical or complex words;

2. Talk in jargon or unfamiliar terms;

3. Include too much detail or material. You should

be stimulating interest, not exhausting a subject;
and
4. Refer to yourself as a third (this author, your
reporter)
4.
or quote yourself (Jimmy Jones said).
Instead use mine.
SOME MORE TIPS ON
COLUMN WRITING
1. Write the way you talk, but do not discard good
English usage and grammar by being friendly and
informal.
2. Try to uncover the opening that
will catch the interest of your
readers.
3. Use a variety of material, not just one
subject.
4. Write about people. Keep heavy subject
matter to a minimum. When using subject
matter, try to tell the story through the
experiences of local people.
5. Write simply. Avoid technical or difficult words,
long sentences, long paragraphs.

6. Do not weigh your column down with too

much detail. Try to stimulate interest in a
subject but do not exhaust the subject.
7. Be timely. Keep up with the effect of weather
conditions, seasons, etc., pointing out the significance
of these conditions locally.
8. Remember the people you are talking to and give
them information that will benefit them in a way
they can understand.

9. Get a cleaver name for the column.

 10. If the column is meant to entertain, be
sure that it does entertain paper’s typical
readers.

11. Stay within the subject range of the column.

12. Make most items short, separated by

typographical devices like long dashes (___),
asterisk (***), moustache (-0-)
 13. If the column gives serious
suggestions, be sure it is reliable.

14. For variety, deal with different

aspects of the main topic.

15. Have items set in various typographical

styles, such as italics, bold type, different points,
caps and short clever heads.
16. Avoid unkind
references to people.