Letters to the Editor
Writing to the editor of your local newspaper is a great way to get the word out in your community on issues that concern you. Here are some tips for letter writing:
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Do Your Homework. Before writing,
find out your newspaper’s rules on submitting a letter. These can
often be found on the newspaper’s Web site, usually under the
opinion section.
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Start off on the Right Foot. The
first sentence sets the tone. So open your letter with a strong
statement.
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Keep it Short. Some newspapers
restrict the length of the letter they will consider for
publication, so aim for 250 words or less.
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Don’t Wait. If an article on an
animal issue appears in your newspaper, respond fast! It’s best to
submit your letter the same day the article runs (this can be done
through e-mail).
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Be Nice. It is fine to disagree
with something you’ve read in the paper. But always be polite about
it. Be sure to include the title of the article you’re disagreeing
with and the date it appeared. This will help readers who may not
have read it.
-
Get the Facts. It’s helpful to
include numbers and other facts about the issue at hand. Make sure
you double check them before submitting your letter. (Example:
28,000 animals instead of 2,800.)
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Get a Second Opinion. Have an adult
read your letter before you submit it. By doing this, you can make
sure your letter is clear and makes sense.
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Sign off. Be sure to include your
name, address, and phone number. Editors will often call to make
sure that you—and not someone else—wrote the letter.
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Space out Your Letters. If you’ve
recently had a letter published, wait before sending another. For
most papers, the rule is one published letter per month. Check with
your paper to find out its policy.
- Don’t Give Up. Not every letter you write will be printed. If your letter is not published, don’t be discouraged—try again.
Want even more tips for writing to newspapers? Click here.
