An opinion column is just that — someone’s opinion. Sure, in today’s world, everyone has an opinion — from that person talking way too loudly on the bus beside you to the advice you don’t want to hear from your mom.

In a newspaper, when you stop to read a page like this, there are things you may be interested in and there are those things you could do without, but why bother to read an opinion when, chances are, you have one of your own?

The answer is simple: being a good columnist is more than spouting off about an issue that gripes us.

To be good columnists, we try to interview people integral to the position we are ratifying or refuting.

We are also required to do a little research. Digging up some history or some background info not only makes for a well-rounded argument, but who knows — you might learn a thing or two. It’s important to back up what we say, and if we do it well, you benefit.

Although anyone can have an opinion, the viewpoints you find published in the newspaper are often more than those expressed during the course of normal chit-chat. By being informed writers, we also work to provide some tools to help you draw your own conclusions.

After all, having a solid argument is the key to winning one. One based on fact is even harder to dispute. But having an opinion should not become the end-all-be-all of a conversation.

You may not agree with what I say some days, but I don’t ask you to. Many of you have expressed dissenting opinions before, and I think it’s great.

The way I see it, if I at least get you talking, then I am doing my job — and exploring the issue beyond my words is exactly what I hope you are doing.

 — Erin Mastre is a graduate student in landscape architecture from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.