Letter to the Editor Guidelines
Have a strong
feeling about something you read? Write a letter to the editor or (if
a commentary) contact the writer. Letters exist to provide a forum for
public comment or debate. A letter to the editor is meant to express
your opinion or point of view.
GUIDELINES FOR LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Be TIMELY: Write your letter within a day of the article's date.
INCLUDE
CONTACT INFORMATION: Include your full name, city, state, phone # (many
news organizations will call you to verify you really wrote the letter
- most will not print anonymous letters).
BE CLEAR: Make one main point.
BE CONCISE: 1- 3 paragraphs, 3-8 sentences, 40-100 words. Short letters show confidence in your position.
BE ACCURATE: Letters that are factually inaccurate are not printed.
BE
INTERESTING: Get your reader's attention and keep it to the end of your
letter. Open with an interesting fact or strong statement and keep your
points as interesting as possible.
AVOID PERSONAL ATTACKS: Show respect for the opposite opinion. Being rude may cause people to disagree with you on principle.
PROOFREAD:
Re-read your letter. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes. If
possible, ask another person to read your letter for accuracy and
clarity.
DON'T WORRY IF YOUR LETTER IS NOT PRINTED: If it is
well-written it might not be printed if it addresses the same issue as
letters already printed.
In your email, use the following format:
HEADING
To the Editor: (If writing directly to the writer Substitute Dear Mr./Ms. ___)
Re: "headline", Date of article
BODY
1-3 paragraphs
CLOSING
Your full name
City, State
Your Phone # (Only if requested by news organization)
For sample letters, see:
CNS News Letters to the Editor or The Washington Times
Read several letters from the site you are writing to for an idea of the types of letters that the editors print.
