JOURNALISM (2nd quart)

• Straight news - mechanical and formulaic
• Feature news - formulaic, requires good

  writing
• Column writing - free, requires good thinking
• Editorial (news column) - It comments or interprets timely subjects
• Variety or Humor Column- An entertainment feature made of short items
• Personals or Chatter Column - It is a column about well-known persons.
• Hodge-podge Column- This is a column of various topics that are separated by moustache like asterisks.
• Opinion Column- Concerns about the readers’ views and may take form of the poll or “inquiring reporter” and the letter to the editor
• Exchange column - A collection of items culled by the exchange editors from papers of other schools.
• Book Column- Consists of several short reviews which help the reader find titles for book reports
• Write with conviction - Put forward your opinion as something you truly believe in.
• Maintain your focus - Make your column about one thing and one thing alone.
• Understand opposing viewpoints - Be mindful of the opposing argument.
• Refer to facts - Accompany your argument with facts that support your position.
• Use analogies

  Analogies are useful for illustrating a point, especially when the topic you are writing about is somewhat complicated or technical.
• Be critical - People like columnists who dare to criticize real life people- not just nameless concepts and policies.
• Do reporting - The best columns involve some form of reporting.
• Localize and Personalize - Localize your story
• Be passionate- Use active voice in writing not passive voice.
• Provide a solution- Do not just raise an issue.
• When writing a column, do:

  1. give the reader timely, helpful information;

  2. develop a structure and keep it.

  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.

  4. Refer to yourself as a third person

  or quote yourself