Most newspapers have columnists.
Many seasoned journalists dream of their opportunity to express their opinions and show their voices from a platform called a column. Columns usually deal with provocative subjects. Some popular columns include humor, gossip, advice, editorial, food, sports and business. Columnists have a great deal of expertise on their subject and have often been reporting on the subject for years. Columns most often appear in newspapers and magazines.
Advice Columns
Advice columns date to the 18th century, when American newspapers published letters written by spurned lovers and offered relationship advice. Advice columns today generally give suggestions on relationships, sexuality, ethics and office etiquette. Perhaps two of the most famous American advice column were the syndicated Dear Abby column and the Ann Landers column, which both offered relationship advice.
Humor Columns
Humor columnists write regular essays about funny topics or serious matters that they parody. Humor columnists often use hyperbole, rants and exaggeration as writing techniques. Arguably the most famous humor columnist is Dave Barry, who wrote a nationally syndicated column at The Miami Herald.
Editorial Columns
Editorial columns provide platforms for journalists to express their opinions on a variety of topics. Each newspaper usually has an editorial board, which steers opinion and debate on current events.
Food Columns
Food columnists present their views on food-related topics. This can consist of restaurant reviews, their opinions on major developments in the food industry or their views on home cooking. Food columnists often have reported on food issues for years and are plugged into the food industry.
Gossip Columns
Gossip columns often are found in newspapers and celebrity magazines. Most gossip columns focus on celebrities' relationships, families and personal scandals. Gossip columnists are limited to what they can print by the threat of libel suits from the victims of their gossip. Gossip columns were in their heyday during the golden age of Hollywood, in the 1930s and '40s, when movie studios used them as a way of promoting their film stars. Famous gossip columnists include Hedda Hopper, who was an actress and developed her career as a gossip columnist from her exposure to film stars.
Sports Columns
Sports columnists present their opinions on games, developments and controversies in the sports world. These columns occasionally are written by former star athletes or coaches as well as by journalists. Sports columns are common in most newspapers.
Business Columns
Business columns are included in many newspapers and discuss such issues as corporate developments, stock-market trends, investments and economic transitions. Business columns are a helpful resource for those entering business or new investors.
Metro Columns
Metro columnists write about local issues that can include urban and regional planning, local government issues, crime, legal affairs and controversial news, among many others. This type of column often encourages citizens to get involved in their communities.
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