Although a column is biased, you should still have journalistic integrity and not maliciously slander anyone.
For example: if a political debate happens on a Sunday, you will want a column on your viewpoint of the debate written by Monday or Tuesday. Check social media to see what people are posting about and get ideas for your column. [3] X Expert Source Janet PeischelDigital Media Expert Expert Interview. 30 March 2021.
For example: if you are writing a column on your opinions on immigration, use the story of a local immigrant in your column.
For example: if you are talking about problems in the education system, don’t be too general. Focus on the schools in your town and the problems kids in your town have faced or still face at school.
For example: if your theme is beauty you can talk about curly hair in one piece, eyeliner in another, and lipstick in another.
For example: if you are passionate about helping the homeless population, write about your feelings on homelessness in your column. If you have five dogs, then write a piece about dogs and include information about your own experiences with dogs.
Claiborne Ray writes a Q&A structured column for The New York Times on simple science topics. [11] X Research source Maureen Dowd writes a traditionally structured column on politics for The New York Times. [12] X Research source
Your column should be between 600 and 800 words. [14] X Research source
For example, you could write: “I find it horrific that our taxes are not being used to help more homeless people find jobs. ” Don’t write: “Sara Finn, the author, was horrified to discover her taxes were not being used to help more homeless people find work. ”
Don’t write too formal: “Hell’s Kitchen, a neighborhood in New York City, is known for its variety of delicious restaurants. ” Instead write: “As a self-proclaimed ‘pasta expert,’ I thought I knew good pasta. However, when I went to Hell’s Kitchen during my trip to New York, I ate fettuccine that changed my life. ”
For example: “It was 11 p. m. and I still had not eaten dinner. I was starving, angry, and lost in New York City. I finally found an Italian restaurant that was still open and ran inside, completely unaware that I was about to have fettuccine that would change my opinion on pasta forever. ”
For example: “When trying to understand how the business was hiding their money to get out paying taxes, think of the files on your laptop. When you put files in the “trash can” they seem gone, but really they are still there and accessible if you drag them out. The CEO put his money into a “trash can,” so the government would not see it. ”
For example: “I am disappointed and disgusted by the number of homeless veterans living on our streets. Let’s raise the taxes of the wealthy and use that money to help the homeless. ”