What elements should columns that tell a story contain?
They should have a beginning, middle, and end. Just like a regular story. For instance, in a column series about a historical event, the first column could start with the causes of the event (the beginning). The middle columns could describe the actual occurrence and its development. And the final column could conclude with the aftermath and significance (the end).
Characters or subjects are important. In columns about a business startup, for example, the founders would be the main characters. The columns could follow their journey, their decisions, and how they interacted with others. Another element is a plot or a sequence of events. The columns need to show how things progress over time, whether it's the growth of the startup or the challenges it faced at different stages.
Emotion and a point of view can also be elements. If the columns are about an environmental issue, the writer can convey their passion and concern (emotion) through their words. And present their unique perspective (point of view) on how to solve the problem. This gives the columns a more engaging and storytelling quality as readers can connect with the writer's feelings and ideas.