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WHAT MUST BE PRACTISED BY A COLUMNIST?:Pleasantness, Fluency

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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
VU
LESSON 31
WHAT MUST BE PRACTISED BY A COLUMNIST?
It is a must for a columnist to do his job well. Besides some personal and professional capabilities, he
must be practising a few steps.
Musts for a columnist
He must have qualities, both at the personal level and at the professional as well. He should never let
himself become stagnant, as he looks for constant improvement in all spheres.
A few are must qualities of a good writer, which he ought to possess.
Art of writing / mannerism of speaking
Every columnist has a unique style or mannerism of speaking and the art of writing, and he must exploit it
besides have good usage of language.
Secondly, reading ads to vocabulary, which is a must for art of writing, as usage of good words is the
most important; otherwise imparts a bad impression.
He should have ample usage of similes and metaphors, as one thing is seen from different perspectives.
However, in all this, the usage of good words and continuation of thought matter.
Art of writing tells about the writer, and his expertise. In case of poor language, the understanding of
subject is faulty. Secondly, if the columnist does not add literary touch to the writing, he cannot create
beauty in his write-up.
Sometimes even if the name of the writer is not written, a reader can adjudge who has written that
particular piece. This is the stage where a writer is truly recognised.
Pleasantness
Pleasantness is an integral part of the opinionated column, but it is also the most difficult one to create,
especially when one is writing about a tragedy or an unpleasant thing. It is considered that creating
pleasantness is as difficult as repeating a spontaneous loud laughter, whereas an artificial laughter is a
possibility.
It is a tool of the columnist through which he engraves his importance, as even the `targeted ones' also
enjoys words creating pleasantness.
Brevity
Once Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar was asked to write briefly. To this, he replied: "I do not have time to
write briefly." Hence writing `briefly' is a very difficult and tedious job, and not every one can do this.
It is a fact that short columns are read more, whereas even many well-known writers have written in
sequences, which is not an impressive thing to do these days.
As a columnist has to complete his subject in not more than 1000 words; hence he has to be brief, but
comprehensive simultaneously.
Individuality-cum-novelty
Creating individuality or novelty is another big asks which distinguishes one columnist from another.
However, nothing should come in the category of over-doing, as it must remain a column.
Repeating something for the reader what he might have forgotten or telling him something new is always
good.
Creating frequency with the reader through an understanding is also important so that both, the writer and
the readers, do not face the same problem of understanding, which is possible through knowing what the
writer wants to communicate and how his readers will react to that. This is also done through writing
about the same issues, which are to be tackled by both.
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
VU
Purity of language
Columnist must keep purity of language as a priority, besides grammatically correct language. Spelling
mistakes are cognisable (criminal) offences, which cannot be tolerated at any cost. Mistakes change the
meaning, and destroy the impression of the columnist.
Moreover, he should have nothing colloquial in his write up.
Fluency
Simple language and difficult expressions go hand in hand, but the columnist must never try to show-off
his word prowess or intellectual superiority. It done so he will not be popular among readers.
Column writing is not a competition, as a column is meant for readers from an average intellect to the
highest one. So the columnist must keep the fluency of language and ideas intact.
Argument and rationalism
Argument and rationalism are a must, but the writer must not turn them in to a sort of mathematics. He
must write openly, but like a poet observing a few rules, which are meant to enhance the beauty of the
poetry. His argument is to act as a guiding principle, while the rationalism keeps the columnist sane
despite being emotional. On the other hand, over-doing of rationalism can make column boring; hence he
must be keeping the balance between argument and rationalism, and sentiments.
Avoid hyper mannerism
Mannerism, a must but a columnist should avoid hyper mannerism. He must follow the rules, but violate
them sometimes to enhance interest. He is ought to write like as if talking to a friend, while communicate
like as if he is an intellectual discussing important subject. He must behave like a down-to-earth person,
but touching the sky through his thought. With this, a sense of ownership and frankness are imparted to
the readers.
References
References are usually determined by the local conditions and the predilections of the concerned writers.
One criterion for gauging the success of a columnist lies 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.
Columns are most sought after and consulted frequently, so only correct references should be used, while
there is nothing ambiguous, and if there is an ambiguity, better not go for it.
If a mistake is made while quoting figures and facts, it causes embarrassment for the writer as well as for
the newspaper besides adversely damages the reputation of the columnist.
Paragraphing
The last but an important part of the column is the paragraphing, which is equated with balanced colours
in a picture. There should not be paragraphs, which are difficult to read and understand rather the whole
write up should look like a continuous writing. Remember! Paragraphs look good on paper.
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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