News Column Writing Newport News VA

A news column is a journalist's time to connect to the community on a personal level that is not possible for day-to-day objective news writing. Columns often feature first person narration, and can contain experiences from the writer's life, or simply the writer's opinion on a topic.

Local Companies

XPERT Legal Services
303-619-5142
505 Plantation Lane
Smithfield, VA
Marrow Transit
757 564-5466
285 Merrimac Trail, Ste 24
Williamsburg, VA
AIRPORT EXPRESS NORFOLK
757 858-1234
3455 AZEALA GARDEN RD
NORFOLK, VA
Professional Choice Staffing
(757) 873-5401
12388 Warwick Blvd
Newport News, VA
Virginia Employment Commission
(757) 825-7859
6012 Jefferson Ave
Newport News, VA
Don Richard Associates
(757) 873-0447
739 Thimble Shoals Blvd Ste 1011C
Newport News, VA
Artemis Latin American Staffing
(757) 369-8496
558 Denbigh Blvd
Newport News, VA
Kelly Services
(757) 873-8739
813 Diligence Dr Ste 121D
Newport News, VA
Manpower
(757) 873-2260
11832 Rock Landing Dr Ste 204
Newport News, VA
Adecco Employment Services
(757) 881-9760
12350 Jefferson Ave
Newport News, VA

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

    ...

Click here to read the rest of the article at HowToDoThings.com

Author: L. Shepherd

Featured Local Company

XPERT Legal Services

303-619-5142
505 Plantation Lane
Smithfield, VA


Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin

Topics:
Advertising Family Home Services Real Estate Resources
Business Services Fashion Industrial Goods & Services Retail & Consumer Services
Career Financial Services Insurance Software
Cars Food & Beverage Internet Technology
Computer Hardware Franchise Legal Telecommunications
Construction Health Miscellaneous Trade Shows
Education Holidays Nightlife Travel
Entertainment Home Appliances Online Database Weddings
Environmental Home Electronics Pets World History