Types of Newspaper Columns
Newspaper columns provide the reader with a diversion from straightforward news stories. They may express the viewpoints of columnists in a scathing or humorous manner, and typically attempt to persuade readers or to simply entertain them. Columns often provide a combination of fact-based information and opinion.
Advice
Advice columns give readers the opportunity to ask questions and seek guidance in areas of their life. Common topics include relationships, work, home repairs and automobile maintenance. Advice columnists are typically considered experts in their field so that the reader is assured of receiving competent advice.
Editorial
The editorial column or op-ed piece is a forum for the columnist to express an opinion on a topic of great interest to readers. The topic may be political in nature, or it may allow the columnist to simply sound off on something he feels is wrong and needs to be corrected.
Reviews
Review columns are used to provide readers with information about a product or service from the point of view of the columnist. Movie critics will view new films, often before they are available to the public, then offer their opinions in their column. Food critics dine at restaurants and provide a review of an establishment's food and service.
Gossip
Gossip columnists provide the latest scuttlebutt concerning celebrities and other prominent people. The columnist often speculates about what may be occurring in celebrities' private lives or what they may do in the future. Gossip columnists often walk a fine line between engaging in relatively innocuous innuendo and actually libeling and defaming the name and reputation of their subjects.
Humor
A newspaper writer who displays a knack for wit may find an opportunity as a humor columnist. Humor columnists may poke fun at people in the news such as politicians and celebrities or draw from personal experiences in their everyday life. Some humor columnists specialize in areas such as parenthood or the workplace.
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