Have you always loved a good debate? Are you able to write with clarity and personality to deadline? Comment writing could be a great way for you to shine as a journalist.
At a recent masterclass, some of the Guardian’s most opinionated writers offered their hard-earned advice on how to present a strong argument with confidence. We’ve hand-picked some of the best tips from leading Guardian columnists Polly Toynbee and Suzanne Moore, and freelance writer Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett.
Polly Toynbee
Shape your final thought as you set out so that you know the trajectory of your piece. Remember, some readers will never get that far, so don’t keep your killer thought or fact to the end.
Always try to bring new information – or at least new reporting or facts that most of your readers are unlikely to know. Facts are important to underpin argument and opinion: I’d recommend three new facts as a minimum.
Suzanne Moore
If you want to write – read. There is no shortcut. Read as much as you can, all the time.
Never write something and then copy and paste it further down. If it didn’t work once, it won’t work the second time.
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Keep your pitches short and to the point. If you’re unable to boil down your argument to a couple of sentences, then a column it most likely will not make.
As a writer, you’ll probably never be satisfied with the level of success that you achieve, and will always be striving for more. This is good - it keeps you hungry. Strive never to be boring!
Browse the latest journalism masterclasses at the Guardian here.
