While newspapers are known for unbiased factual news reporting, they also usually contain a fair amount of opinion. This may be woven into specific news articles (“opinion editorials”), or it may appear in the form of an official statement from the editor and his/her editorial board (called an editorial). Editorials can include opinions on political as well as social or cultural issues, and reading various newspaper editorials on the same issue can give the researcher a good sense of the general leanings of a particular publication.
A column printed in all editions of a publication, generally on the opinion page, which expresses the opinions of the writer. These articles have a byline, allowing the reader to identify the person making the statement.
Oftentimes the same person writes columns for several different publications, and is referred to as a syndicated columnist. Examples of such writers are George Will and Nicholas Kristof.
Opinions on specific topics are sometimes presented in the form of an “opposite” article, allowing each side of a controversial subject to be represented. This is typically done on a topic such as a local election or a controversial movie or book, and can be a useful tool to promote a balanced approach.
Guest columns or editorials can be a great way for groups to get their message out. They can be used to announce the start of a new initiative or organization, highlight a special event, or even to counter arguments from opponents on a hotly debated issue. Taking advantage of the timing of a major upcoming event can be a particularly effective strategy.