COLUMN

COLUMN

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 personalized journalism. It is the field where a column writer is invested with sufficient independence and liberty to write on any topic or subject, with a clear flair of creative approach.

Column can be written on various topics such as sports, health, law, politics, fashion, media, education, religion and social problems etc. It’s up to the columnist that what style he want to adopt for his writing. He may give background analysis with a thoughtful conclusion, a shade of humor with personal experience (like writings of Ashfaque Ahmed) and may raise a question for the readers.

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 analyze 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.

At 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 and Importance for a newspaper

Analysis from the foregoing study and examination of the nature and definition of the column-writing, we can analyze the following essentials and basic points which go into the forming of a column.

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 skill of conversation and a direct address to the readers without any midway.

It can be said that any subject is a suitable 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, judgments, observations, philosophies 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.