Let’s talk about getting better at writing columns. It’s not like you write one amazing piece and then you’re done; it’s an ongoing journey. The world changes, the people reading your stuff change, and even your own perspective deepens over time. If you just keep doing the same thing, your writing will get stale. To really shine, to truly connect with your audience, you’ve got to commit to getting better, all the time. This isn’t about chasing the latest fad, but about building a solid set of skills that keeps your writing fresh, impactful, and uniquely YOU.
This whole guide is about breaking down the ways of thinking, the strategies, and the practical steps that will take your column writing from good to truly exceptional. We’re moving past the basics, digging deep into real, actionable steps that turn your good intentions into tangible improvements.
Finding Your Voice: The Essential Core of Getting Better
Your voice? That’s the unique fingerprint of your column. It’s what sets you apart from every other writer out there. Sharpening it is a continuous process of really understanding yourself and practicing deliberately.
Breaking Down Your Personal Style: A Close Look
Just saying “find your voice” isn’t very helpful, is it? Instead, let’s really scrutinize what YOUR voice actually sounds like.
* Look at What’s Worked Before: Go back and re-read the columns that got the most attention or felt the most impactful. What do they have in common? Is it your dry wit, your empathetic tone, your investigative approach, your casual language, your precise vocabulary? For instance, if a piece about local politics really hit home, try to figure out if it was the sharp humor, the deep dive into history, or a personal story that resonated most.
* Spot Your Writing Rhythm: Do your sentences tend to be long and flowing, creating a thoughtful pace? Or are they short, punchy, and direct, building a sense of urgency? Are you a master of complex sentence structures, or do you prefer simple, clear statements? For example: If you notice your strongest columns often use a particular sentence structure for emphasis – maybe a short, direct question followed by a detailed explanation – lean into that.
* Notice Your Word Habits: Are there certain types of words or phrases you naturally lean towards? Are you verbose or concise? For example: Do you often use vivid metaphors, or do you prefer stark, unadorned language? If your strength is metaphorical language, push yourself to find even more original and fitting comparisons.
* Understand Your Default Emotion: Do you naturally gravitate towards humor, anger, optimism, skepticism, or even despair? While you’ll explore all sorts of emotions, knowing your base helps you either use it to your advantage or deliberately shift away from it. For example: If your usual style is sardonic humor, occasionally writing a truly earnest piece will really stand out and show your range.
Purposeful Voice Experiments: Trying Out New Things
Once you understand your voice, gently test its boundaries.
* Try on a Temporary Persona: For just one column, imagine you’re writing as a character – maybe a cynical detective, a wide-eyed idealist, or an ancient philosopher. This isn’t about copying someone, but about relaxing your usual grip and discovering new angles. For example: If you typically write formal, academic-style columns, try writing one in the voice of a casual, confiding friend. You might uncover a more accessible side of your writing.
* Change Your Tone Within a Column: Instead of keeping one consistent tone, intentionally switch it up. Start with serious analysis, add a funny anecdote, and then finish with a poignant thought. For example: Start a column about societal issues with a stark statistic, then move to a personal story full of feeling, lighten the mood with a witty observation, and end with a call to action delivered with strong resolve.
* Play with Different Openings: Often, your voice is set in the very first few sentences. Experiment with how you start: a rhetorical question, a surprising statistic, a vivid scene, a provocative statement, a personal confession. For example: If you always start with direct statements, try beginning with a vivid sensory description that immediately pulls the reader in.
Getting Voice Feedback: The Honest Truth
You can’t completely judge your own voice. Actively look for criticism.
* Peer Review with Specific Questions: Don’t just ask, “Is this good?” Ask: “What kind of personality comes through here? What emotions did you feel? Where does my voice feel weakest or strongest?” For example: Give a column to a trusted friend and ask: “Does my passion for this topic come through, or does it sound detached? Is my humor landing, or is it distracting?”
* Look at Reader Comments for Voice Clues: Beyond “great article,” look for comments that describe how you write. “Loved your snark,” “Your empathy shines,” “You made me think differently.” These are direct insights into how people perceive your voice. For example: If multiple readers comment on your “no-nonsense approach,” that’s a key element of your perceived voice, whether you meant it or not.
Getting Deeper into Your Subject Matter: Beyond the Surface
A column is only as strong as its foundation. If your knowledge is shallow, your writing will be too. Continuous improvement means really diving deep into your topics.
The Journalist’s Way of Thinking: Always Asking Questions
Even for opinion pieces, think like a dedicated journalist.
* Challenge Assumptions Ruthlessly: Your own and everyone else’s. Don’t just report a claim; investigate where it came from, what evidence supports it, and what the counterarguments are. For example: If there’s a common belief that a certain policy is failing, research not just the failures, but also any unexpected successes, the fine points of its implementation, and its historical background.
* Follow the Rabbit Holes: If a fact or idea sparks your interest, don’t just note it – dig deeper. Read the original sources, the academic papers, the historical documents. For example: When writing about a new technology, don’t just read the company’s press release. Look for opinions from independent engineers, cyber ethicists, and economists to get a more complete understanding.
* Seek Out Different Perspectives: Actively consume opinions and data that challenge your own beliefs. This doesn’t mean you have to change your mind, but it helps you address counterarguments smartly and write with more nuance. For example: If you’re passionate about environmental protection, read works by those who prioritize economic growth and try to understand their reasoning, however flawed you might find it.
Curated Information Streams: Building Your Expert Library
There’s so much information out there. Carefully choosing what you consume is vital.
* Identify Go-To Experts: Find thought leaders, academics, researchers, and professionals in your chosen fields. Follow their work regularly. These are your intellectual mentors. For example: If you write about public health, identify leading epidemiologists, medical ethicists, and public policy experts whose work informs your perspectives.
* Vary Your Media Consumption: Don’t just read news. Watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, read long-form articles, academic journals, books, and even dissenting blogs. For example: If you mostly read traditional news, subscribe to a niche podcast that explores the philosophy behind your regular topics, or follow a specialized research institute.
* Set Up a System to Capture Knowledge: Don’t just read; process. Use tools (digital or old-fashioned) to highlight, annotate, summarize, and categorize key information, thoughts, and relevant quotes. For example: Use a digital note-taking system where you tag articles by topic, create summaries of key arguments, and extract powerful quotes, making them easy to find for future columns.
Learning by Doing: Beyond the Screen
Some of the most valuable insights come from direct involvement.
* Conduct Informational Interviews: Talk to people directly affected by or involved in your topic. This adds authentic voices and specific details you won’t find in articles. For example: If discussing homelessness, interview outreach workers, shelter residents, and city council members. Their lived experiences or professional insights add invaluable depth.
* Attend Relevant Events: Conferences, workshops, public forums, lectures – immerse yourself in the live discussions. For example: If you write about urban planning, attend local city council meetings where zoning changes are discussed. Observe the public debate and the arguments made.
* Volunteer or Shadow (When Appropriate): If possible and ethical, spend time in environments related to your topic. For example: If writing about education, spend a few hours shadowing a teacher or attending a school board meeting to grasp the daily realities and systemic challenges.
Structuring for Impact: More Than Just a Standard Template
A well-structured column guides the reader smoothly from beginning to end, making your message clear and persuasive. Continuous improvement means exploring and mastering different ways to structure your writing.
Beyond the Inverted Pyramid: Creative Architectures
While traditional news uses the inverted pyramid, columns can be much more adventurous.
* The Story Arc: Start with an anecdote, build up to a central conflict or realization, then offer your analysis or solution. This makes complex ideas more relatable. For example: Start with a personal story of encountering a problem, then explain its broader societal implications, and then propose a policy solution informed by your experience.
* The Problem-Solution-Vision: Clearly define a problem, offer concrete solutions, and then paint a picture of a better future if those solutions are adopted. This is especially powerful for persuasive pieces. For example: Detail the immediate negative effects of a societal issue, then outline specific, actionable steps to fix it, concluding with a vivid description of what society could look like if those steps are taken.
* The Argument-Counter-Argument-Synthesis: Present a dominant viewpoint, then introduce a strong counter-argument, and finally, offer your synthesis that brings both together or reframes them. This shows balanced thinking. For example: Present the common arguments for a new economic policy, then strong arguments against it, concluding with your nuanced perspective that incorporates elements from both, or identifies a flaw in the underlying assumptions.
* The Chronological Unfold: Present information or ideas as they developed over time. This works well for historical context or showing development. For example: Outline the progression of a technological development from its rudimentary beginnings to its current widespread use, connecting each stage to its societal impact.
Precision in Paragraphing: The Small Details
Strong paragraphs are the building blocks of strong columns.
* The Single-Idea Paragraph: Each paragraph should ideally focus on one distinct idea. This improves readability and logical flow. For example: If a paragraph starts discussing the economic impact of a policy, don’t suddenly switch to its social implications. Create a new paragraph for that.
* Varying Paragraph Lengths: Don’t fall into a boring rhythm of all long or all short paragraphs. Use short paragraphs for emphasis or transition, longer ones for detailed explanations. For example: A short, impactful paragraph stating a surprising fact can precede a longer, more detailed explanation of its implications, followed by another short paragraph for an emotional punch.
* Strategic Use of Transitions: Words and phrases like “however,” “consequently,” “furthermore,” “in contrast,” “meanwhile,” “ultimately” act as signposts, guiding readers smoothly through your argument. For example: To introduce a contrasting idea, use “Conversely,” or to connect a cause and effect, use “As a result.”
The Art of the Compelling Closer: Leaving a Lasting Impression
The end of your column isn’t just a summary; it’s your last chance to impact the reader.
* The Call to Action (Direct or Indirect): Encourage readers to think, act, or critically evaluate. For example: Instead of just restating your opinion, prompt the reader with “Consider how this might apply in your own community” or “What role will you play in addressing this challenge?”
* The Provocative Question: Leave readers thinking about your topic long after they finish reading. For example: After dissecting a complex issue, end with a question like, “Are we truly prepared for the societal upheaval this trend promises?”
* The Unifying Image or Metaphor: Bring your column full circle with a powerful, memorable image that encapsulates your main message. For example: If your column explored the fragility of democracy, conclude with an image of a delicate, yet resilient, web being mended one thread at a time.
* The Personal Reflection: A brief, genuine personal insight can create a strong emotional connection. For example: After analyzing a challenging social issue, end with a sentence like, “And as I reflect on this, I realize the burden rests not just on institutions, but on our shared humanity.”
Elevating Your Language: Precision, Punch, and Poetic Flair
The quality of your writing directly reflects the conscious effort you put into your words. This isn’t about sounding fancy, but about communicating effectively.
Word Economy: Getting Rid of the Unnecessary
Every word needs to earn its spot.
* Ruthless Self-Editing: After you’ve drafted, go through your column specifically looking for redundant words, weak adverbs, and overly wordy phrases. For example: Instead of “He was very, very happy,” write “He was ecstatic.” Instead of “due to the fact that,” use “because.”
* Substitute Stronger Verbs: Passive voice often weakens your impact. Active, precise verbs inject energy. For example: Instead of “The decision was made by the committee,” write “The committee decided.” Instead of “He was running quickly,” write “He sprinted.”
* Avoid Clichés Like the Plague: They signal laziness. If you’re tempted to use a common phrase, challenge yourself to invent a fresh, original way to say it. For example: Instead of “Think outside the box,” try “Break free from mental cages” or “Challenge habitual parameters.”
Sensory Details and Vivid Imagery: Painting with Words
Engage more than just the reader’s intellect.
* Show, Don’t Just Tell: Instead of telling readers a character is angry, describe their clenched jaw, their trembling hands, the sharp intake of breath. For example: Don’t just write, “The city was polluted.” Write, “The air hung heavy with the metallic tang of diesel, blurring the skyline in a perpetual haze.”
* Incorporate All Five Senses (Where Appropriate): Not just sight. What does it sound like, smell like, feel like, even taste like? For example: When describing a protest, don’t just mention the signs. Describe the cacophony of chants, the acrid smell of tear gas, the jostle of bodies, the sun glinting off a thousand homemade placards.
* Use Metaphor and Simile Judiciously: They can illuminate complex ideas or create powerful emotional resonance. Overuse or ill-fitting comparisons can distract. For example: Instead of “The system was broken,” try “The system groaned like ancient machinery, grinding gears of inefficiency and injustice.”
Rhythmic Prose: The Music of Language
The flow and cadence of your sentences contribute to the reader’s experience.
* Vary Sentence Length: A mix of short, punchy sentences and longer, more complex ones creates a natural rhythm. Too many short sentences feel choppy; too many long ones feel cumbersome. For example: Start with a short declarative statement for emphasis, then expand on it with a longer, more descriptive sentence, and follow with another short sentence to drive home the point.
* Read Aloud: This is the ultimate test. If your sentences stumble, if phrases sound awkward, or if the rhythm feels off, you’ll hear it. For example: Reading a paragraph aloud and realizing you ran out of breath halfway through indicates a sentence that’s too long or convoluted.
* Experiment with Punctuation for Rhythm: Semicolons can link related ideas, em dashes can signal an abrupt shift or explanatory thought, and commas can create pauses. For example: Use an em dash to insert a sudden, surprising thought: “The policy was touted as a panacea—a foolish hope, as it turned out—but the public believed it.”
Cultivating a Critical Readership: Beyond the Byline
Your readers aren’t just here to consume your words; they’re an invaluable resource for your growth. Engaging with them actively and smartly helps you improve.
Deciphering Reader Engagement: More Than Just Likes
Likes and shares are surface-level. Dig deeper.
* Analyze Comments for Depth and Nuance: Look for comments that elaborate, challenge, or offer new insights. These are incredibly valuable. For example: A comment saying, “I never considered that angle, thank you,” shows you’ve effectively expanded someone’s understanding. A comment offering a well-reasoned counter-argument is an invitation to refine your own thinking.
* Identify Common Questions or Misunderstandings: If multiple readers ask the same clarifying question, it means your explanation might be unclear or you’ve left a logical gap. For example: If readers repeatedly ask for more data on a specific claim, it suggests you need to provide more evidence in future pieces.
* Track Trends in Engagement Topics: What subjects consistently spark discussion? What types of columns generate the most robust debate? This informs your future content strategy. For example: If your columns on local urban development consistently generate more comments and shares than those on international politics, that’s a strong signal about your audience’s core interests.
Strategic Interaction: The Two-Way Street
Engage with your readers meaningfully, not just superficially.
* Respond Thoughtfully to Constructive Criticism: Don’t get defensive. Acknowledge valid points, even if you disagree with the conclusion. Thank readers for their time and effort. For example: If a reader points out a factual error, publicly correct it and thank them for the vigilance. If they challenge your premise, acknowledge their perspective and briefly explain why you hold yours.
* Ask for Reader Input (Periodically): Directly ask for questions or topic ideas. This makes readers feel invested and provides valuable content cues. For example: At the end of a column, you might ask, “What are your biggest concerns about the future of AI?” or “What aspect of this issue would you like me to explore next?”
* Host Virtual Q&A Sessions or Forums: If it makes sense, create dedicated spaces (like a live chat or an online forum) where you can directly interact with readers about your columns. For example: After a highly controversial column, host a live discussion to address reader questions and provide further context.
Learning from Reader Disagreement: The Sharpening Stone
Disagreement isn’t a failure; it’s a chance to grow.
* Dissect Dissenting Arguments: Don’t just dismiss them. Understand the underlying logic, the evidence cited, and the emotional reasons. This refines your own argumentative abilities. For example: If a reader presents a well-articulated counter-argument with supporting evidence, break it down: Where do their facts differ from yours? What assumptions do they make that you don’t?
* Use Disagreement to Identify Gaps in Your Own Knowledge or Logic: Sometimes, a different opinion reveals a blind spot. For example: A reader’s criticism might highlight that you haven’t fully considered the ethical implications of a policy you advocated, prompting you to research that aspect more deeply.
* Practice Responding with Intellectual Humility: You don’t have to be right all the time. Being open to being corrected or having your mind changed shows intellectual maturity. For example: “I appreciate you bringing that point to my attention. While my research led me to X conclusion, your perspective on Y has certainly given me pause and merits further consideration.”
The Ecosystem of Improvement: Broader Horizons
Your improvement isn’t just confined to your specific column. It’s influenced by your broader engagement with writing craft and the world.
Diversify Your Reading Palate: Beyond Your Niche
Don’t just read columns similar to yours.
* Read Across Genres: Fiction, poetry, historical non-fiction, scientific papers – each genre offers lessons in storytelling, rhythm, precision, and imaginative language. For example: Reading a compelling novel can teach you about character development, narrative pacing, and dialogue, all of which can inform how you present ideas or arguments in your column.
* Read Writers You Disagree With: Beyond just subject matter, read writers whose style you dislike. Analyze why you don’t like it. This helps clarify your own preferences and what you want to avoid. For example: If a writer’s overly flowery prose irritates you, it reinforces your commitment to conciseness.
* Study Masters of Different Eras: Look at columnists from a century ago, or essays from ancient philosophers. They offer timeless lessons in clarity, wit, and structure, untouched by contemporary trends. For example: Reading a forgotten 19th-century essayist might reveal a powerful rhetorical device that feels fresh and unique today.
Continuous Learning: Sharpening the Saw
There are so many opportunities for formal and informal learning.
* Take a Writing Course (Online or In-Person): Whether it’s a creative writing workshop, a course on argumentation, or a class on specific rhetorical techniques, formal instruction can provide structured feedback and expose you to new techniques. For example: A course on persuasive writing could introduce you to specific logical fallacies to avoid or powerful rhetorical appeals to employ.
* Attend Workshops and Conferences: These offer networking opportunities, insights into industry trends, and exposure to new ideas from leading practitioners. For example: A journalism conference might feature a session on data visualization in opinion pieces, inspiring you to incorporate more visual elements into your columns.
* Read Books on Writing Craft: There’s a vast library of wisdom on topics from grammar to storytelling. For example: A book on narrative structure could help you map out the emotional peaks and valleys of your column more effectively.
The Power of Reflection: Looking Inward
Improvement isn’t just about doing; it’s about thinking about what you’ve done.
* Maintain a Writer’s Journal: Document your ideas, challenges, triumphs, and the lessons learned from each column. For example: After a challenging column, reflect: “What was the hardest part? Where did I get stuck? What new research method did I try? Did it work?”
* Post-Mortem Analysis of Each Column: After a column is published, objectively review it. What worked? What didn’t? Where could you have been clearer, more concise, more compelling? For example: Read your published column a week later with fresh eyes. Identify sentences that could be tighter, arguments that felt weak, or opportunities for more vivid descriptions.
* Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound (SMART) Goals: Don’t just wish to improve. Set concrete goals. For example: “For my next five columns, I will experiment with opening each piece with a different type of hook (e.g., anecdote, statistic, rhetorical question).” Or, “Over the next month, I will dedicate two hours weekly to researching opposing viewpoints on my primary column topics.”
Conclusion: The Journey Continues
Getting better at column writing isn’t a destination; it’s an endless, truly rewarding journey. It requires intellectual curiosity, an unwavering commitment to your craft, and the humility to constantly learn from your readers, your peers, and your own evolving experience. By embracing these actionable strategies, you won’t just write columns; you’ll develop a powerful, resonant voice that continuously grows, adapts, and captivates. The blank page still presents a challenge, but with each deliberate step of refinement, it transforms into an opportunity for greater impact and deeper connection.