A news column is a journalist's time to connect to the community on a personal level that is not possible with day to day objective news writing. Columns are often written in first person and can contain experiences from the writer's life, or simply the writer's opinion on a topic.
- Keep a personal tone. This is your time to reach out, so make sure to let the reader know that these opinions are coming from you. This is also important because the newspaper itself may not agree with the opinions stated. It is also not a good idea to go against the grain of the newspaper. If the newspaper in question endorses candidates, do not write a glowing opinion piece about the opposing candidate.
- Don't make unnecessary enemies. I once wrote a column about the scant hours that local antique stores were open and how it would be better if they weren't "always closed." This caused a firestorm of phone calls and letters from antique store owners demanding a retraction. In a small- to mid-sized community, the members of the community are extremely important to the newspaper, and they should not be alienated unless there is an extremely good reason. You also have to remember that those are your potential advertisers. Cost the paper a few ads and you may be looking for a new job.
- Use a little humor. People often read columns because they expect them to be humorous and unexpected. If you can make readers laugh, even in the course of a political opinion column, you will start to make a name for yourself as a columnist as readers await your next piece. The humor should be subtle, and perhaps based on local events that the public would know about. This gives it a personal edge and the feeling of an in joke that the community can share.
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Author: L. Shepherd