SELECTION OF A TOPIC:Close to your heart, Things keeping in Queue

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

LESSON 29

SELECTION OF A TOPIC

There are certain things, which must be kept in mind. However, it is always considered, `how readers will

react to it', prior to selecting the topic.

A difficult task

Selection of a topic is though a difficult task, but it plays an important role in the success of a columnist.

So a lot of thought must be put before writing a column. In certain, even brainstorm with others is also a

good idea because besides giving you new ideas, they add something to your arguments. Plus it also helps

in seeing both sides of the same picture. However, it must never be taken for granted.

Finding a new topic or subject every day or every alternative day is definitely difficult, and usually

regular columnists can fall prey to this. Sometimes they are looking for subjects.

Choose from the news items of dailies

One of the easiest ways to find an idea is of discussing news items, and it is never considered to be a bad

idea. This also helps in actualising the dictum `Bring to focus what is current', and news items aptly cover

this idea.

However, there should be required links, which must never let the reader miss extensions of the news

items.

When a columnist has chosen an idea, he must discuss it in a wider perspective, that is, the present

situation in background. This also helps in maintaining the currency of a column.

Selection of news depends upon the writer. It is not always a big or small news, but its quality is that it

induces the writer to write.

Current May be any incident

Sometimes unreported incidents can be a subject of a column, and the columnist never chooses an

incident against editorial policy. However, for even an unreported incident, currency of the incident is a

must. One basic criterion for such a selection is how far the incident has affected, adversely or positively,

the readers. Even if you have to dig out the possibilities for this, do it. `See what others do not see' is the

basic idea of looking for possibilities.

One must not be making it a stick against others by choosing a particular incident for a specific person.

Close to your heart

Subject must be touching your heart or mind, and it can even any incident from ordinary life, may be a

chat with the family or some one coming up with a statement. Succinctly, anything that makes you think,

and you want to share can be a subject for column, but it must never be a trite or routine subject.

Try to find a scoop

On the other hand, writers try to find a scoop, and are always looking for a big news, which has not been

reported so far. For this, they talk to people, who are either taking big decisions or ordinary ones. In the

process, the columnists are sharing information to get more information. They never keep mum, and wait

for a big news, rather they move out and see what is happening around them.

Of interest to the readers that is primary

One of the basic things is that the columnist should not give boring stuff to readers, and must make an

effort of making it as interesting as possible. Moreover, he can make any subject look different, which can

be the same one for others, by making it more interesting for the readers. He also makes an ordinary

subject interesting with his own observation, and even makes minor subjects look big through his column.

However, it does make it certain never to bore his reader by writing about that what he does not want to

read.

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

Appeal to the geographically connected people

The columnists never choose a subject, which is divorced from the people of the locality, as proximity

becomes more interesting when the situation is either compared or brought to a particular context. He also

tries to discuss matter concerning the readers. He transmits information about how the environment is

changing because of external influences, while opting for newer approach.

Never based on rumour, what is being talked about?

While talking to people, much of a gossip one listens to, which can make no sense, and it should be

avoided. Gossip is usually less brainy and true, and one must think about it. A good columnist never

targets someone on mere hearsay, and he confirms whatsoever being said. He confirms the `news' and

`views' before writing about it.

An idea, a sentence

A mere idea striking your mind is a subject or a sentence spoken by anyone can be a subject too. A

columnist keeps his eyes and ears open to look for the possibilities, and coming out as something as a

subject, while never over-estimating or under-estimating an idea or a sentence.

Those who write on topics are rare

Writing on a topic and with a fresh approach is a rarity, as more writers are writing about news topics or

something happening around him. But it is a must for his mind to consider it as a topic.

Choosing news scattered and suiting to mood

Society, others' lives, your own and happenings around you, are subjects, and never let your surrounding

go unnoticed. A columnist makes use of every opportunity, as he is a keen observer looking for good and

bad both. Whereas he is never a pessimist through and through, while he keeps good watch for the

positivity.

Never go away to find topics, society points out

Society and life want you to write about them, as these provide a never-ending line of subjects, and there

are many subjects in line, and never been touched for long.

Subjects are like passengers, trying to ride the same bus, but if queued, it is better, otherwise, mess, and

no one will be on board.

Life is the topic asking you to write on me

Life is the most prominent subject. Look at what affects it, adversely or positively, see and evaluate

concerns of the people, while it is better never leaving it to others' imagination.

Things keeping in Queue

A writer must be having titles prepared with him, while points added in that from time to time.

Ultimately, the writer one day has enough material to choose and write on any one. Suggestion is to keep

all subjects under your belt, while an incident can help you write all points. A writer must be keeping

matter with him, as many subjects need that.

What strikes your mind, you must write

Your first and last tutor is your mind, and the writer must be using mental filters before accepting any

idea to write on, and preserve information about it. However, whatever appeals to him mind, should be

contextualised as well by seeing what readers will approve or not, and then look for the ways to make it

acceptable for the readers.

After the mental filter and the editorial policy have endorsed the idea, the writer can definitely write on

every subject, but primarily, it must strike his mind.

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