Text type: the opinion column
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Question
What is an opinion column?
Answer
One named writer's personal, argued view on a topic, in a paper, magazine or website.
Question
What is the purpose of a column?
Answer
To persuade you round to the writer's view, or to make you think — often to provoke.
Question
Who is the audience of a column?
Answer
The publication's regular readers, who often half-share its outlook.
Question
What is a persona?
Answer
The personality a writer performs on the page — witty, angry, warm.
Question
What is an anecdote, and why use one?
Answer
A short personal story; it grounds the argument in real life.
Question
What is sarcasm?
Answer
Saying the opposite of what you mean, to mock.
Question
Name three column techniques.
Answer
Any of: first-person voice, anecdote-to-argument, humour/sarcasm, hyperbole, rhetorical questions.
Question
Is a column meant to be balanced?
Answer
No — it's proudly one-sided; the point is the writer's take.
Question
What's the key move analysing a column?
Answer
Link the voice and tone to how they persuade, and find the argument beneath.
Question
How does humour persuade in a column?
Answer
It makes the writer likeable and pulls the reader onto their side.
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Full study notes for Text type: the opinion column
Topic 2.2 hub
News & opinion
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English A Lang & Lit exam skills
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