Q&A for How to Write a Newspaper Column

Try to cover something relevant that will interest your readers, such as current events.

Anyone can write a column so long as you do your research, have an opinion, and work on writing in a way that will appeal to your audience.

A columnist tries to give insight to their readers using a personal opinion or perspective.

Most columns are indeed in the first person. They are a personal view of the writer, so it makes sense to write it in the first person. But it's not a requirement. Columns give the author a lot of freedom, so you can really do what you like.

The list of topics is endless. You can write about absolutely anything, as long as it's in good taste and is something that will appeal to your audience. Current events are often a good topic to turn to since it will be relevant and generate interest.

Yes, when this is your job or profession, you will be paid for writing a column.

Compile a list of all newspapers in your area/state/country. Consider if you want to exclude a few from the list for personal reasons, such as your political preference. Consider if your column is perhaps simply not in line with the newspaper's general direction; no point in publishing a sex advice column in a newspaper dedicated to stamp collectors. Finally, find contact information for each newspaper, and send a cover letter with a sample of your column attached.

Yes, by writing a letter to the editor of the newspaper. You can search for the contact information on the internet or in the paper itself.

Start by staying updated all the time and creating a column that people will love. Eventually you will gain notice and have a better chance of being hired by a daily newspaper.

SPECS stands for stating the problem or Situation, stating your Position, giving Evidence to support your position, stating and refuting the position of the other side in the Conclusion, and offering two possible Solutions. You can do this technique correctly by first ensuring that you have a topic on which you have an opinion. Then you can state the problem of the topic, offer your opinion, back up your opinion with evidence, address the opposing side, and then offer some solutions.