WHAT MUST BE PRACTISED BY A COLUMNIST?:Pleasantness, Fluency

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

LESSON 31

WHAT MUST BE PRACTISED BY A COLUMNIST?

It is a must for a columnist to do his job well. Besides some personal and professional capabilities, he

must be practising a few steps.

Musts for a columnist

He must have qualities, both at the personal level and at the professional as well. He should never let

himself become stagnant, as he looks for constant improvement in all spheres.

A few are must qualities of a good writer, which he ought to possess.

Art of writing / mannerism of speaking

Every columnist has a unique style or mannerism of speaking and the art of writing, and he must exploit it

besides have good usage of language.

Secondly, reading ads to vocabulary, which is a must for art of writing, as usage of good words is the

most important; otherwise imparts a bad impression.

He should have ample usage of similes and metaphors, as one thing is seen from different perspectives.

However, in all this, the usage of good words and continuation of thought matter.

Art of writing tells about the writer, and his expertise. In case of poor language, the understanding of

subject is faulty. Secondly, if the columnist does not add literary touch to the writing, he cannot create

beauty in his write-up.

Sometimes even if the name of the writer is not written, a reader can adjudge who has written that

particular piece. This is the stage where a writer is truly recognised.

Pleasantness

Pleasantness is an integral part of the opinionated column, but it is also the most difficult one to create,

especially when one is writing about a tragedy or an unpleasant thing. It is considered that creating

pleasantness is as difficult as repeating a spontaneous loud laughter, whereas an artificial laughter is a

possibility.

It is a tool of the columnist through which he engraves his importance, as even the `targeted ones' also

enjoys words creating pleasantness.

Brevity

Once Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar was asked to write briefly. To this, he replied: "I do not have time to

write briefly." Hence writing `briefly' is a very difficult and tedious job, and not every one can do this.

It is a fact that short columns are read more, whereas even many well-known writers have written in

sequences, which is not an impressive thing to do these days.

As a columnist has to complete his subject in not more than 1000 words; hence he has to be brief, but

comprehensive simultaneously.

Individuality-cum-novelty

Creating individuality or novelty is another big asks which distinguishes one columnist from another.

However, nothing should come in the category of over-doing, as it must remain a column.

Repeating something for the reader what he might have forgotten or telling him something new is always

good.

Creating frequency with the reader through an understanding is also important so that both, the writer and

the readers, do not face the same problem of understanding, which is possible through knowing what the

writer wants to communicate and how his readers will react to that. This is also done through writing

about the same issues, which are to be tackled by both.

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

Purity of language

Columnist must keep purity of language as a priority, besides grammatically correct language. Spelling

mistakes are cognisable (criminal) offences, which cannot be tolerated at any cost. Mistakes change the

meaning, and destroy the impression of the columnist.

Moreover, he should have nothing colloquial in his write up.

Fluency

Simple language and difficult expressions go hand in hand, but the columnist must never try to show-off

his word prowess or intellectual superiority. It done so he will not be popular among readers.

Column writing is not a competition, as a column is meant for readers from an average intellect to the

highest one. So the columnist must keep the fluency of language and ideas intact.

Argument and rationalism

Argument and rationalism are a must, but the writer must not turn them in to a sort of mathematics. He

must write openly, but like a poet observing a few rules, which are meant to enhance the beauty of the

poetry. His argument is to act as a guiding principle, while the rationalism keeps the columnist sane

despite being emotional. On the other hand, over-doing of rationalism can make column boring; hence he

must be keeping the balance between argument and rationalism, and sentiments.

Avoid hyper mannerism

Mannerism, a must but a columnist should avoid hyper mannerism. He must follow the rules, but violate

them sometimes to enhance interest. He is ought to write like as if talking to a friend, while communicate

like as if he is an intellectual discussing important subject. He must behave like a down-to-earth person,

but touching the sky through his thought. With this, a sense of ownership and frankness are imparted to

the readers.

References

References are usually determined by the local conditions and the predilections of the concerned writers.

One criterion for gauging the success of a columnist lies in his efficiency and proficiency to attract and

hold the readers. A successful columnist must possess some cardinal points to impel the readers to

continue the perusals of the column carefully and with deep and keen interest.

Columns are most sought after and consulted frequently, so only correct references should be used, while

there is nothing ambiguous, and if there is an ambiguity, better not go for it.

If a mistake is made while quoting figures and facts, it causes embarrassment for the writer as well as for

the newspaper besides adversely damages the reputation of the columnist.

Paragraphing

The last but an important part of the column is the paragraphing, which is equated with balanced colours

in a picture. There should not be paragraphs, which are difficult to read and understand rather the whole

write up should look like a continuous writing. Remember! Paragraphs look good on paper.

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