How to write a column

[Jake_Taylor]

Well, really what they said about use of quotes applies to writing just about anything, but it looks like there was an interesting panel discussion at the APSE conference. Wish I could have been there.

http://apsportseditors.org/newsletter/from-the-conference-columnists-share-their-wisdom-on-the-craft/

 

[SF_Express]

I'm solidly in the "quotes aren't necessary and certainly not necessary to end a column" camp.

 

[Liut]

Thanks, Jake. Me, too.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

I think I fall in the "it depends on the story" camp. Sometimes I'm interviewing somebody and thinking they are writing it for me with all the great quotes. Other times I'm getting mostly background with a couple of poignant statements worth quoting.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

All columns are different. Sometimes, you're thinking out loud, as it were, and quotes are not needed at all. Sometimes, you're telling a story about a person, and that person's quotes are absolutely necessary. There's no rules except doing the best you can in (you hope) a way nobody's thought about the event/person/topic before.

 

[Mozilla]

Quit ending columns with meaningless kickers, I say.

Example:

"It all comes down
to this season," Jockboy
said. "This is my big chance."
Indeed.

 

[Double Down]

The "indeed" ending is a hacky hack hacksters kicker. Few things bug me more.

 

[YGBFKM]

I like to end my columns in mid-sentence so the readers have a reason to come back.

 

[JPsT]

I like to end my columns in mid-sentence so the readers have a reason to come back.

Always leave them wanting more, so they'll

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

Indeed.

 

[FreddiePatek]

Indeed.

Now that's just funny, don't care who ya are.

 

[shockey]

kickers have their time and place but are more often than not unnecessary. some writers, especially young writers, don't understand why it's often overkill. this is where good editors come in.

 

[GBNF]

I like to end my columns in mid-sentence so the readers have a reason to come back.

Always leave them wanting more, so they'll

This was awesome!

 

[Versatile]

kickers have their time and place but are more often than not unnecessary. some writers, especially young writers, don't understand why it's often overkill. this is where good editors come in.

I remember at first always ending stories on a quote. Then I went through a phase where I felt everything needed a kicker that brought back the lede. Then I learned to be more moderate about that approach, so I went back to using quotes sometimes.

Now, I've come to the realization that, particularly in a column or feature, the key to ending an article is a strong sentence. In fact, the kicker should be one of the best sentences in your story. And that sentence often can be a telling quote, but it just as often can be your own words. I don't think there's a right answer, but I do think that you need a solid sentence -- and not necessarily a summation of the point of the article, just a well-crafted sentence -- to close out a good article.

Make the readers remember it, and they'll come back for more.

 

[SF_Express]

The most underrated ending to a good column is simply letting it, you know, end when you're done saying what you wanted to say.

 

[flexmaster33]

As my college adviser said "Just end it"

Doesn't need anything fanciful or witty...when the story's over, it's over.

 

[rmanfredi]

Inde.

 

[BobSacamano]

Indeed works best if read in Omar Little's voice.

 

[spikechiquet]

IN-DEED!

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

The difference between indeed and ended is, phonetically, an "e."