Writing a good Letter to the Editor
Writing letters to the editor section of your local newspaper is a great way of getting your opinion out to the local community. The editorial section of a paper is one of the most read and one of the first pages that elected officials turn to.
Here are a few tips to writing a good letter to the editor.
- It sounds obvious, but read the letters page – you will learn how to develop an effective letter-writing style, and see what type of letters the paper publishes.
- Keep your letter short – preferably 150 words maximum if submitting to the major papers. Community papers generally allow longer letters to the editor.
- Your letter should carry its most important message in the first paragraph.
- Limit the number of points you make, start with the main points and stay on the same subject.
- Write short, punchy sentences, grouped in two or three paragraphs.
- Make your letter timely – your letter has the best chance of being published if it is a reaction to a previous story in the paper. Respond as quickly as you can – ideally the same day for larger papers.
- Try to balance criticism with positives – pose a solution or an alternative to a problem, if possible.
- Avoid personal attacks.
- Don’t send copies of your letter to every newspaper editor in town – target local newspapers that you read.
- Include your name, address and daytime phone number.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for action – tell readers what you want them to do.
- Don’t write too often. Once every three months is about as often as you should write – if you are writing to the same publication.
