HOME > ENGAGING THE MEDIA
Letters to the Editor

Write a Letter to the Editor

Letters to the editor are among the most widely read items in the newspaper. Elected officials watch them closely to track community interests on particular issues.

Write short. Letters should be between 150-200 words. Anything longer will be significantly cut or not printed at all.

Clearly communicate the issue and the solution you support in the first paragraph.

Be relevant and timely. Your letter should address a current issue or news article. Specifically reference the article to which you’re responding by date, title and author.

Don’t lash out, though addressing ideas that differ from positions expressed by others can make for a lively letter. Take a firm opposing position, but don’t attack individual people.

Verify the facts and quotes you cite to ensure they are correct. Any mistake diminishes your credibility.

Sign the letter and include your contact information (address, phone, e-mail), so they can confirm you authored the letter.

Encourage others to write a letter reflecting our position on the issue. An editor publishes a letters that represents those that were received. The more letters that agree with your point, the more likely our position will get published.

Research how letters to the editor are submitted for each publication you are sending it to. Then follow-up to ensure they received it.

|

|