The Iowa State Daily offers a variety of content for each of the sections it has. No two stories are the same, especially when it comes to the opinion section.

As a news organization, much of the content aims to be unbiased and informational for all our readers to take in and formulate an opinion of their own. On the other hand, the opinion section tends to work a bit differently when it comes to the content it provides.

To begin with, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, an opinion is “what or how one thinks about something; judgement or belief.”

The opinion section focuses on being a gateway for people to express their opinions, so long as it is appropriate. 

It does not matter what view you believe or whether you agree or disagree with the opinions previously expressed in the section. The opinion section is where you can express your stance on an issue or topic that you feel strongly about.

However, not a lot of people are familiar with the different types of opinion-related content the section provides. There are columns, guest columns, editorials, cartoons, letters from the editor and letters to the editor.

Column

Columns are 500-700 word articles written by columnists who write regularly for the opinion section. In their article, they take a stance on a topic they feel strongly about and explain to readers why they have such a belief. Columns can range from humorous–sarcastic satire to serious controversial topics regarding issues in our world. Opinions expressed in these columns are opinions that the authors have themselves and not of the organization.

Guest Column

Guest Columns are opinion articles written by anyone not part of the Iowa State Daily staff and usually over 300 words. People who write guest columns usually come from people who wish to share their opinion with a large mass and want to highlight on something important in regards to their opinion. Like regular columns, opinions expressed in these articles are of the author alone and do not represent the opinion or stance of the organization as a whole.

Editorial

Editorials are joint-opinions expressed and agreed upon by all the members of the editorial board. Members meet once a week and discuss topics that they believe to be of importance in our community. Members are not required to share the same point of view, but in order for editorial to be functional there must be a consensus on the topic being discussed. Therefore, opinions are discussed, and editorials focus on the opinion that all the members were able to agree upon and share the same opinion.

Cartoon

In a way, cartoons are the visual representation of what a column would consist of. Cartoonists visually voice their opinion through caricatures and humorous drawings of a certain topic that expresses their own opinion.

Letter from the editor

Letters labeled as ‘letter from the editor’ are letters written by either the opinion editor or the editor-in-chief of the Iowa State Daily. These pieces are usually written as a message to the student body as well as members of the community that happen to read our content. These pieces can be things such as visions for the semester to come, important announcements and introductions.

Letter to the editor

Also known as just ‘letters’ are written by Iowa State alumni, students, Ames residents and sometimes people from completely different states. These letters can be submitted through our Iowa State Daily website or emailed to the opinion editor. The letters tend to consist of a word count of 300 words or less. Like columns and guest columns, letters expressing any sort of opinion are beliefs that the authors themselves have in regards to the topic they are discussing. Publishing of a letter does not mean that the Iowa State Daily agrees with the opinion expressed.