-Isms

Greetings, SAM readers.

For the past two weeks, I have shared a breakdown of the differences between news articles and editorial items, after SAM began a partnership with Trusting News, a project of the Reynolds Journalism Institute and American Press Institute.

We worked to devise strategies that promote responsible and ethical journalism.

One goal I established, through the project, is to provide a breakdown of what makes a news article, an editorial and a column.

This week, I will address the third portion: column writing.

By now, if you’re a regular peruser of -Isms, you know topics vary. Most weeks, I include life experiences and tie it to the subject. Usually, my opinion is spelled out and other times, I walk along with you to discover the end destination.

In large newspapers, columns may be staff members or freelance writers who share opinions on local, regional or national topics.

One key difference between a column, news article and editorial: the use of “I.”

News articles, unless a personal essay, should not include first-person pronouns. That’s a sure signal you’re reading a person’s opinion.

SAM includes two other columnists: Travis Rudloff, who shares his viewpoint in Alternative Assessment and Bev Wieler, who writes about the view out my kitchen window.

One of my favorite columnists is Cindy Lange-Kubick, who writes for the Lincoln Journal Star. Many of Cindy’s columns share fascinating tales about people from the Star City or across the state.

Many of those columns make me cheer for the underdog. And, there have been times I am left blubbering like a schoolgirl. Her writing possesses a key superpower: empathy.

Column writing lets journalists share pieces of their lives, as well as snippets of others’ challenges and triumphs. It’s a glimpse into an opposing viewpoint, a shimmer of potential, a connection between me and you.

This marks the 10th year I’ve penned a column. Looking back over those pieces, several stand out ... like the time I wished everyone Merry Christmas from the Schindler ranch.

“Uh, we aren’t a ranching operation,” Scott scolded me. “We’re clearly a farm.”

And there’s the column I wrote about ice fishing and the unsettling feeling of walking across a clear coat of ice on Goose Lake. It still makes me a bit queasy and apprehensive thinking about it.

One of my favorites was about my love affair with Chuck. You know, Chuck Taylor. In high school, I owned three pairs: red, black and white. One day, though, we broke up and I wanted nothing to do with him, so there he, er- they, sat in my closet, gathering dust.

I’ve shared the highs and lows of Husker athletics, the importance of rural economic development and growth, the risks and rewards of reporting community news.

The most difficult column, though, was penned the night Mom entered hospice care at home, about 10 days before she died, surrounded by family. That two-week period was one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced, but the experience deepened my spritual resolve and made me realize my mental strength.

I’m sending a thank you to everyone who shares feedback about the column. It is appreciated.

We welcome comments, letters to the editor and feedback. It allows us to evaluate our work and continue to improve this publication.

For the last two weeks, I’ve ended the column with a singlular statement. And I will say it one more time. See, that’s the teacher in me resurfacing; say something three times and people will remember.

The bottom line: We believe in transparency and will continue to work toward our goals set as part of the TN project.