• The first few sentences hooks the reader.
• The reader is told early what he or she needs to know and why.
• The column is concise and there are no redundancies.
• The column in objective. There is no opinion included.
• The ending answers one of the following questions:
  • What does all of this mean?
  • Who should do what?
  • What should you do now?
  • Whose phone should start ringing?
• The column relates to current news.
• The column is relevant to your purpose.
• The language is simple and geared for an 8th grade reading level (average level of newspaper readers).
• Three-plus syllable words are kept to a minimum.
• The column is written in a conversational tone.
• A telephone number and email address are included.
• A Extension County Web site address (or other appropriate Colorado State University site) is included.

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