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COLUMN WRITING:Definition, Various definitions, Why most powerful?

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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
VU
LESSON 19
COLUMN WRITING
Definition
Column has been described as an editorial with a by-line by the journalists. There are many phases of
similarities between a column in an editorial, which makes their distinction and difference, really matter
for experts' opinions. They bear close similarities as far as their form, style and material are concerned.
However all the columns cannot be said to have close similarities with an editorial. It has been rightly
said that column-writing is one -of the most satisfying and rewarding journalistic exercise or assignment
which is equal to personalised journalism. It is the field where a column writer is invested with ample
independence and liberty to write on any topic or subject, with a clear flair of creative approach.
Various definitions
·  "All those writings are columns published on regular basis under a permanent caption in the
periodicals and  the periodicals."
­ Prof Shafique Jhallandhari
·  "A certain type of writing under a permanent caption"
­ Prof Maskeen Ali Hijazi
·
"There are certain permanent topics in every newspaper. Under some presented news announcements
or information. Under some are given humorous, medical or scientific writings. These permanent
topics and their matter are given name of columns. And the writer is called columnists."
­ Dr Abdus Salam Khurshid
From the above definitions, we can naturally gauge the nature of the column writings, on a wider canvas
and scale. Actually columns serve the purpose of dividing the page vertically or reducing its length of
lines in the newspapers, which makes the reading of the newspapers easy and enjoyable and especially to
make correct connection between the different lines of the newspapers.
Apparently, the columns go to a long way in making the pages of the newspapers a beautifying
proportions and symmetrical division of the newspapers and the periodicals. Column also implies more in
length than in width, also utilised for the purpose of headlines, for example single column headline,
double column headline etc.
Scope and Importance for a newspaper
Analysis from the foregoing study and examination of the nature and definition of the column-writing, we
can analyse the following essentials and basic points which go into the forming of a column.
The column-writing can cater to the needs of the newspapers, periodicals with equal significance.
Column-writing can be equated with the concept and practice of personal journalism of the past.
Columns are written on a multitude of subjects, with a natural flair of conversation and a direct address to
the readers without any intermediary. There are syndicated and non-syndicated columns on diverse topics.
It can be said that any subject is an apt subject for the columnist.
Under a column, different news, announcements, and information can be gathered. Columns are really the
concise and precise rather pointed comments on the news of the day. Column may include in its range the
humour, criticism, wisecracks, judgements, observations, philosophies, apologies etc.
Columns are the unique devices of direct contact and address with the general masses, as being the most
modern and sophisticated form of personal journalism of the past. These are the decorating pieces of the
newspapers and hold the position of permanent topics and subjects.
Column-writing is a unique form of lively journalism, and is easily attuned to the information, instruction,
address, entertainment and amusement, guidance, enlightenment of the readers.
Columns are of multi-purpose nature and can include diverse writings on national and international topics
and subjects, social and cultural issues, literacy and light subjects, economic and political subjects besides
humorous writings, and sarcastic writings, which were replaced, by the serious subjects. Both are equally
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
VU
popular and important. Today column-writing includes anecdotes, short essays, reviews, and editorials,
comments, on news, announcements, and readers' contributions.
A column is both a general and a specialised writing, which may entail the elucidation or expression of
the policy of the newspapers, or it may be based on the independent thinking of an individual.
It is asserted that the style and approach in writing a column is usually determined by the local conditions
and the predilections of the concerned writers. However the sole criteria for gauging the success of a
columnist lie in his efficiency and proficiency to attract and hold the readers. A successful columnist must
possess some cardinal points to impel the readers to continue the perusals of the column carefully and
with deep and keen interest. However it is estimated that only from ten to fifteen percent - people who
read the editorials from beginning to the end. However the columns are most sought after and consulted
frequently.
Columns are published with the real name of the writer or under a pseudonym. However, most of the
writers are writing with real names.
Columns are considered to be the most powerful medium of any newspaper, next to news. However, the
importance of the features and articles is never undermined.
Moreover, a column has the longest life of all newspaper items, as people like to keep track of the writers'
thinking. This also adds to the fact that the columnists are the most criticised of all as well.
One of the important reasons behind the popularity of the columns is that these can be written on any
subject as well. From personal experiences to any research done in any part of the world, is a subject for a
columnist.
Why most powerful?
Columns' message is always very strong, both for the readers and people who are connected to the
writing in any way. Hence people prefer to analyse and react.
Secondly, columns are read by those who are either the decision-makers or their critics; hence it adds to
the fact that the columns are most powerful part of any newspaper.
Present-day
columns are mostly political, which is due to the political situation of the country.
Nevertheless people are writing on other subjects, which are of common interest.
Columnists become known over a short period of time depending upon the subject choice, language,
ideas and their wisdom beside other attributes.
While writing a column over a period of time, the best of the writers comes out in the columns, which is
another reason for the popularity of the columns and columnists.
News can be one-sided version at time, but analysis, criticism, and solution given in the columns are
definitely presenting a well-rounded picture. Due to this reason, columns are considered to be the highly
opinionated write-ups. However, balancing factors are always there to have better write-ups.
Scope
Column writing is the hardest type of writing of all because it requires good thinking.
To write a good column requires more than just the ability to articulate an opinion. Your opinions must
make sense, provide insight and be convincing. And you must do all this in an entertaining way.
Anybody can be trained to write straight news because it's very mechanical. Feature articles, though also
somewhat formulaic, are harder because they require good writing.
But column writing is the hardest type of writing of all because it requires good thinking.
To write a good column requires more than just the ability to articulate an opinion. Your opinions must
make sense, provide insight and be convincing. And you must do all this in an entertaining way.
It requires you to be almost like a lawyer. Through your arguments, you will need to convince the jury
(your readers) that your client (your viewpoint) is right. Shaping a powerful argument takes practice and
requires both breadth and depth of knowledge as well as the ability to critically analyse a particular issue.
Column writing is different from other forms of writing because unlike straight news and feature writing,
as columns have dedicated readerships.
A columnist develops a following because his readers feel they can gain knowledge, insight and
entertainment from reading his writings.
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Table of Contents:
  1. IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE:Feature writing, Explanation of the definition
  2. SOURCES OF MATERIAL:Commemorations, Science and Technology
  3. INTERNET USAGE IN FEATURE WRITING:Be very careful, Website checklist
  4. WHAT MAKES A GOOD FEATURE?:Meeting demands of readers
  5. DEMANDS OF A FEATURE:Entertainment and Interest, Both sides of picture
  6. CONDUCTING AND WRITING OF INTERVIEWS:Kinds of interviews
  7. WRITING NOVELTY INTROS:Punch or astonisher intros, Direct quotation intros
  8. STRUCTURE OF FEATURES:Intro or Lead, Transition, Body
  9. SELECTION OF PICTURES, ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS:Sources
  10. FEATURES AND EDITORIAL POLICY:Slanting or angling feature
  11. HUMAN INTEREST AND FEATURE WRITING:Obtaining facts, Knowing how to write
  12. NEWSPAPER FEATURE STORY:The Business Story, The Medical Story
  13. THE NEWSPAPER FEATURE STORY IDEA:Conflict, Human interest
  14. MAGAZINE FEATURE VERSUS DAILIES:Feature versus Editorial, An overview
  15. WRITING THE SPECIALISED FEATURE STORY:The Deadline Feature Sidebar
  16. MODERN FEATURE AND ITS TREATMENT:Readers’ constraints
  17. MODERN FEATURE WRITING TECHNIQUE:The Blundell Technique
  18. ADVICE TO FEATURE WRITERS:A guide to better writing, Love Writing
  19. COLUMN WRITING:Definition, Various definitions, Why most powerful?
  20. COLUMN WRITING IN MODERN AGE:Diversity of thought, Individuality
  21. ENGLISH AND URDU COLUMNISTS:More of anecdotal, Letting readers know
  22. TYPES OF COLUMNS:Reporting-in-Depth Columns, Gossip Columns
  23. OBJECTIVES AND IMPORTANCE OF COLUMNS:Friendly atmosphere, Analysis
  24. WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS AND BASIC POINTS THAT GO IN TO THE FORMING OF A COLUMN?
  25. STYLE:General and a specialised writing, How can a columnist improve it?
  26. GENERAL STYLE OF THE COLUMN:Unified Style, Anecdotal Style, Departmental Style
  27. STRUCTURE OF A COLUMN:Intro or lead, Main body, Conclusion
  28. COLUMN WRITING TIPS:Write with conviction, Purpose, Content
  29. SELECTION OF A TOPIC:Close to your heart, Things keeping in Queue
  30. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN WRITER:Personal, Professional, Highly Educated
  31. WHAT MUST BE PRACTISED BY A COLUMNIST?:Pleasantness, Fluency
  32. SOURCES OF MATERIAL OF COLUMNS:Constant factors, Interview
  33. USEFUL WRITING DEVICES:Be specific, Use Characterisation, Describe scenes
  34. COMMON WRITING PROBLEMS:Eliminate clichés, Don’t misuse words
  35. WRITING THE COLUMN:Certain thumb rules, After writing the column
  36. ARTICLE WRITING:Introduction, Definition, Contents, Main Segments, Main body
  37. HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE?:It is more efficient, It is more believable
  38. TYPES AND SUBJECTS OF ARTICLE:Interview articles, Utility articles
  39. FIVE COMMANDMENTS, NO PROFESSIONAL FORGETS:Use Key Words
  40. ARTICLES WRITING MISTAKES:Plagiarising or 'buying articles, Rambling
  41. WRITING THE ARTICLE:Various parts of article, The topic sentence
  42. What to do when you have written the article?:Writing the first draft
  43. TEN STANDARD ARTICLE FORMATS:The informative articles
  44. LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR WRITERS:Libel, Doctoring Quotes
  45. REVISION:Importance of language, Feature writing, Sources of material