Think about the last time you read something online or saw something posted on your school bulletin board.
Maybe it was about a typhoon. A school event. A barangay announcement.
That's news. It tells you what happened.
But here's something different.
What if you read something where a student said: "Our school canteen needs better food — and here's why"?
That's not just reporting. That's a column.
And that's what you're going to learn today.
It's not just facts. It's your point of view — what you think, believe, or feel about something — backed up with reasons. Columns appear in newspapers, school papers, and news websites. You might have seen one without knowing it had a name. Here's the simple version: a column is your voice on paper.
Why does column writing exist? Because facts alone don't always change things. A news story can tell you: "The school canteen only serves one type of food." But a column can say: "Students deserve more food choices — and here's what should change." See the difference? The column pushes for something. It makes readers think. It can even inspire people to act.
Column writing has three main purposes.
Here's where a lot of beginners get confused. News and columns both appear in newspapers and school papers. But they're not the same thing.
| News Story | Column | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Reports facts | Shares opinions |
| Tone | Neutral — no taking sides | Personal — the writer has a clear stand |
| Goal | Inform readers | Persuade readers |
| Uses "I"? | No | Yes — sometimes |
"The school postponed its Intramurals due to heavy rain."
"Postponing Intramurals every time it rains isn't fair to students who trained hard."
An opinion is what you think or believe about something. It's not a fact. Two people can look at the same situation and have completely different opinions. "Recess is too short" and "Recess is the perfect length" are both opinions. Neither is wrong for being an opinion. But in column writing, you need to explain why you think what you think. That's what makes an opinion worth reading.
Having an opinion is easy. Sharing it responsibly — that takes a little more work. Here's the rule: your opinion is yours. But once you publish it, it affects other people. That means you can't just say anything. You have to think about how your words land.
"The school librarian is useless."
"The school library needs longer opening hours so more students can use it."
Both are opinions. But one attacks a person. The other addresses a problem. Always aim for the second kind. Say what you think. Back it up with reasons. Respect the reader — even if they think differently.
This is one of the most important skills in column writing. You need to know the difference between facts and opinions — because a strong column uses both.
| Fact | Opinion | |
|---|---|---|
| Can be proven? | Yes | No |
| Changes person to person? | No | Yes |
| Example | "The school has 500 students." | "Our school is too crowded." |
Here's the thing about column writing: you're sharing opinions. But that doesn't mean you can say anything you want. Your opinions must still be grounded in truth. That means: don't make up facts to support your view. Don't exaggerate — meaning don't stretch the truth to make your point sound bigger.
"Nobody in the whole school likes the new schedule."
"Many students have said the new schedule gives them less time to eat lunch."
The second one is honest. The first one is guessing — and pretending it's fact. Column writers are still journalists. Truth still matters.
Strong opinions work because they're specific, supported, and clear. Weak opinions fail because they're vague, unsupported, and forgettable. You don't need to be a great writer to write a strong column. You just need to be honest, specific, and give your reader a reason to care. That's it.
Apply what you learned. Work through the activities below step by step.
| What to Check | Done ✅ | Try Again 🔄 |
|---|---|---|
| I clearly stated what I think | ☐ | ☐ |
| My opinion is about a real topic I care about | ☐ | ☐ |
| My supporting sentence is a fact — not another opinion | ☐ | ☐ |
| My writing is respectful — I didn't attack anyone | ☐ | ☐ |
Answers will differ for each student. Use the rubric above or ask your teacher for help.
Choose the correct answer for each question using the formula you learned.