COLUMN WRITING

Plaques Sponsored by Wise County Messenger
Certificates Sponsored by C & S Media Publications

Division 1
Dailies 5,865 Circulation and Above

1. Judy Morgan, The Daily Sentinel Nacogdoches)

“Clementine: Very well written with some interesting comments, but it doesn’t have a wide appeal. Unusual subject. Reminds me of Cezanne — taking on everyday object, like a piece of fruit, and elevating it to an art. Beauty: Almost like poetry. Great approach to an ambiguous subject and it stays with the reader. Very poetic. Short sentences are so effective. A lovely, precise writer who has a talent for description.”

2. Karla DeLuca, The Daily Sentinel (Nacogdoches)

“1. Well written, related to some of the audience; younger audience may not relate to as much. This was a very powerful column because of its understated, unsentimental quality. If this doesn’t make someone want to quit smoking after reading this, nothing will. Kudos to the writer for making something good out of a tragedy. 2. Interesting story, kept attention, written in a way that kept the story just as interesting all the wall through. Well done overall. Humorous column with an engaging writing style. An effortless read about a subject readers can relate to, most of them anyway.”

3. Christy Busby, Texarkana Gazette

“1. Written well, very informative on subject readers might not know much about. Very engaging, readable style that takes a rather dry subject and makes it understandable to readers. 2. Subject relates to everyone, local readers or not. A universal treatment of a symbolic figure. Very nice, proving that simple, clear, short sentences pack impact.”

4. Phillip Hamilton, The Paris News

“1. It was difficult to determine the subject at first. After reading close to half the article, the subject then becomes more clear. Engaging approach to a serious issue. I liked ‘The Men’s Man’ angle, although it might lose some younger readers. Excellent writing carried the reader through to the ending. 2. Good length. Some of the information seemed unclear in some areas, but made more sense toward the end of the article. The underdog metaphor makes this political column more accessible to the average reader.”

Division 2
Dailies Circulation Up to 5,864

1. Art Lawler, Athens Daily Review

“1. Very interesting and emotional. I enjoyed the balance between short and long sentences that mirrored the action of the story. I felt for Verba and Lloyd and found this a powerful piece with every part lending something to it. 2. The lead didn’t particularly capture my interest as much as the first, but once the childhood story began, I was more engaged. Excellently told and great word choice. These columns are ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest.”

2. Alexa Duke, Henderson Daily News

“1. The writer champions a good cause and makes the issue relevant to readers. Very readable style. 2. Another locally relevant subject. The writer makes well reasoned arguments. Readable writing style.”

3. Neal White, Waxahachie Daily Light

“1. The story didn’t grab me with the lead and the approach to the subject was commonplace. It was fairly well written, but it needed a better subject. 2. Very emotional and complex. This was much better than the first. Although it was the second paragraph, not the lead, that captured my interest.”

4. Tony Floyd, Henderson Daily News

“Average lead, subject matter, quality and style of writing.”

Division 3
Semi-Weeklies

1. Katherine Veno, The Mabank Monitor

“1. Columns take on bittersweet subjects that readers can relate to — such as high school reunions. The long paragraphs make for gray-looking blocks of copy (please break them up for the reader’s sake). But the writing is from the heart without being overly sentimental. 2. A poignant column about another subject that’s universal — being alone, especially at the holidays. It strikes a chord with readers.”

2. Skip Nichols, Wise County Messenger (Decatur)

“Good writer with a subject many readers can relate to. Excellent quality and style of writing.”

3. Darlene Moore, Burleson Star

“1. Good column about what it’s really like to be a mother. 2. Another column that many parents will relate to.”

4. Nick Jimenez, Mansfield News-Mirror

“Keep it up, Nick, and you’ll get your dream. Some advice — lose words like ‘awesome’ and ‘great.’ They don’t mean anything. You obviously know a lot about movies. Let that speak for itself.”

Division 4
Weeklies 2,600 Circulation and Above

1. Bob Buckel, Azle News

“Good subject matter, quality and style of writing. Nice column about Harvey.”

2. Doris Newman, Mineola Monitor

“Good subject matter, quality and style of writing.”

3. Roger McKenzie, Tri-County Leader (Whitehouse)

“Good subject matter, quality and style of writing.”

4. Edwin Newton, Azle News

“Good quality and style of writing.”

Division 5
Weeklies 1,501 Circulation to 2,599

1. Denise Schoppe, The Marlin Democrat

“Good idea to examine events in the wake of Katrina. Too many sentences begin with ‘It is’ (a cardinal sin of good writing). But the content is good. Good column encouraging readers to vote.”

2. Nancy Beaty, Rockwall County News

“Good subject matter, quality and style of writing. Newsy column”

3. Lois Cooper, The Marlin Democrat

“Good subject matter.”

Division 6
Weeklies Up to 1,500 Circulation

1. Tom Beesley, Crowley Star

“Good lead. Good subject matter. Good quality and style of writing. A column that performs a valuable public service — educating readers about diabetes.”

2. Kim Pewitt-Jones, South Tarrant Star (Everman)

“Good lead, quality and style of writing.”

3. Paul Gnadt, Keene Star

(No critique provided)