Last chapter, you learned that strong opinions need proof. You learned to back up what you think with real, verifiable details — meaning details you can actually check.
Now here's the next question.
What are you going to write about?
Because that matters just as much as how you write.
A column can be perfectly written — clear sentences, good facts, respectful tone — and still fall flat. Why?
Because the topic didn't matter to anyone.
In this chapter, you'll learn how to find topics worth writing about. And how to take a clear stand on them so your readers know exactly where you're coming from.
The best place to start looking for column topics? Right where you are. Your school. You spend most of your week there. You see what works. You see what doesn't. And you have opinions about both.
A topic is only good if your readers care about it. Ask yourself: "Does this matter to anyone besides me?" If yes — you probably have a good topic. If only me — keep looking.
"The school entrance gets dangerously crowded during dismissal. Someone could get hurt." — Hundreds of students use that entrance every day. They all care.
"I think my favorite color should be the new school color." — That's a personal preference. It doesn't affect anyone else.
A timely topic is one that's happening now — or is about to happen. A meaningful topic is one that has real impact on real people. The best column topics are both.
"With the new school year starting, Grade 7 students transitioning to junior high school need better orientation programs."
"I think our school should have had a Science Fair last year." — Last year is over. A column about the past rarely moves people to act.
Not every idea makes a good column topic. Here's how to spot the weak ones.
Once you have your topic, you need to take a stance — meaning you need to decide what side you're on. A stance is your clear position on a topic. You either agree with something, disagree with it, or think it should change. You can't be in the middle. Column writing means picking a side. And defending it with reasons.
Here's a trap a lot of student columnists fall into. They start with one topic. Then they slowly start talking about three other things. By the end, the reader isn't sure what the column was even about.
If you're writing about the school lunch break being too short — stay there. Don't drift into homework problems. Don't suddenly bring up the school uniform. Stay on your topic. Make your one point really well. A focused column is always more powerful than a scattered one.
A position statement is one sentence that tells your reader exactly what you think about your topic. It's the heart of your column. Everything else — your facts, your examples, your conclusion — all support this one sentence.
"I think lunch break is kind of important and maybe the school could think about it." — Nothing is clear. Nothing pushes the reader to think or act.
"The school should extend lunch break by 15 minutes because students currently don't have enough time to eat and rest before afternoon classes."
An unclear opinion leaves the reader guessing. They finish reading your sentence and still don't know what you actually think. Unclear opinions happen when writers are afraid to commit — meaning they don't want to say something bold in case people disagree. But that's exactly what a column is for. Say what you think. Be clear about it.
Clarity means being easy to understand. And in column writing, it's everything. If your reader has to re-read your sentence three times to figure out what you mean — you've already lost them. A clear stance keeps them reading. A fuzzy one sends them away. Say it out loud. If it sounds wobbly — fix it. If it sounds confident and specific — you're ready to write.
Apply what you learned. Work through the activities below step by step.
| What to Check | Done ✅ | Try Again 🔄 |
|---|---|---|
| My position statement names a specific topic | ☐ | ☐ |
| My position statement takes a clear stand — not a "maybe" | ☐ | ☐ |
| My supporting fact is verifiable — not another opinion | ☐ | ☐ |
| My writing is focused on one point only | ☐ | ☐ |
| My writing is respectful — no attacks on anyone | ☐ | ☐ |
Answers will differ for each student. Use the rubric above or ask your teacher for help.
Read each topic or sentence. Decide: STRONG or WEAK?