Write A Letter To The Editor

Letters to the Editor are short letters written in response to articles or issues covered by a newspaper.write to your editor

These letters are written by people like you, to express your opinion on a subject. It can be sent to thank the editor for covering the issues, to raise awareness, and to persuade those who aren’t sure what to think about a particular topic.

The more letters an editor receives on a particular topic, the more likely the issue is to be covered.

Newspapers are happy to get opinion pieces from their readers. They’re more likely to publish letter that are written in an authentic voice, rather than several identical copy & pasted letters.

HOW TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

  • Give your letter one simple message. If someone’s going to read this letter, what do you want them to do or understand? [e.g. Rossbeigh-Dooks is NOT the right place for oyster aquaculture development].
  • Use our backgrounder to find points to use in your letter.
  • Write briefly and concisely. Keep your letter to around 200-300 words and make your point quickly in the first or second sentence.
  • ·Write from your own point of view: facts, personal experience, local relevance; all these are good.
  • ·Be timely: don’t wait to write your letter! Editors won’t publish a letter that’s written several days after the article has appeared in the newspaper.
  • · Give the date of publication of the article you’re writing about.
  • · You can use humour or satire in your letter. You can use a serious tone. However you write, just use your own voice.

WHAT TO WRITE – STEP BY STEP

 

  1. Open your letter with: “To the Editor of [name of newspaper]”. If you know the name of the editor, use it instead.
  2. Your letter is about your point of view. You don’t have to be an expert, you just have to have something to say. Explain the importance of the topic; others may not be familiar with it.
  3. Make a point!Start your first paragraph with your single message, and refer to the date of publication of the article you’re writing about.
  4. Use the next few sentences to add support to your claim or point: back it up (with facts, or with your personal experience). Use facts from our backgrounder.
  5. Finish with a sentence about what you’d like to have happen: what do you think should happen now?
  6. Thank the Editor for considering publishing your letter.
  7. Sign your letter: If your letter is going to be published, the newspaper will call you to authenticate the letter and that you are the writer.So add:
    1. Your name (this will be published)
    2. Your address (only the area will be published)
    3. Your telephone number (this will NOT be published)
    4. Your email (this will NOT be published)

 

DOs and DON’Ts

DO:

  • Write your letter immediately after a story has been published
  • Keep your letter brief
  • Use plain language
  • Be authentic (be yourself) – the letter is about your views
  • Spell check your letter
  • Give the date of publication of the article you’re writing about

 

DON’T:
  • Don’t use swear words – your letter won’t be published
  • Don’t write libelous or slanderous letters
  • Don’t expect a response – newspapers receive hundreds of letters to the editor, they’ll only print a selection
  • Don’t attach any other files when you send your letter by email