COMM 2920 Lecture 3: How to Write a Column Piece
22 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Column
600 word opinion piece
Do not care about other people’s opinion
Columnists are the widely read
1. Choose a topic
a. Passionate about
b. Timely
c. Two clear sides
i. Pick a side to defend.
2. Research topic
a. Gotta know all sides
i. Helps argument to know both sides
ii. Shows the reader you did your homework
1. Read what is written
2. Statistics
3. Talk to expert (if possible)
4. Can use second hand quotes
5. Construct in your head what are your reasons
iii. Compile the evidence
1. People
2. Facts
3. Stats
4. Anecdote
5. History
6. Trends
iv. Give examples, details, numbers, specifics.
3. Writing
a. Lead
i. Short
ii. Two fold - get reader’s attention and introduce issue or topic
iii. Can start with anecdote, latest trend, shocking one liner, etc
b. Framing the issue / Background
i. Why the issue is “hot”
ii. Give background. Don't assume the reader knows what is going on
c. Body
i. Other side first or sprinkle it throughout the body
ii. Your reasons for supporting the view
1. Backed up by evidence
d. Kicker
i. End in a way that summarizes your view without being redundant
ii. Can end on a quote, stat,
iii. If you have a solution, sometimes you can end with the solution.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Columnists are the widely read: choose a topic, passionate about, timely, two clear sides. Pick a side to defend: research topic, gotta know all sides, helps argument to know both sides. Two fold - get reader"s attention and introduce issue or topic: can start with anecdote, latest trend, shocking one liner, etc, framing the issue / background, why the issue is hot , give background. Don"t assume the reader knows what is going on: body, other side first or sprinkle it throughout the body. Your reasons for supporting the view: backed up by evidence, kicker. End in a way that summarizes your view without being redundant: can end on a quote, stat, If you have a solution, sometimes you can end with the solution. Strong tone -- gotta come through that you"re passionate. Remain in the third person unless you have personal experience that can drive home the story as evidence. Do not put i think or i feel .
