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How to Write a Letter to the Editor

Posted on Monday May 15, 2006

-Make one point (or at most two) in your letter, ideally in the first sentence.

-Make your letter timely. If you are not addressing a specific article, editorial or letter that recently appeared in the paper you are writing to, then try to tie the issue you want to write about to a recent news event.

-Pay attention to the newspaper’s coverage of the news event. Refute or support specific statements, address relevant facts that are ignored, but avoid blanket attacks on the media in general or the newspaper in particular.

-Check the letter specifications of the newspaper to which you are writing. Length and format requirements vary from paper to paper. (Generally, roughly two short paragraphs are ideal.) You also must include your name, signature, address and phone number.

-Monitor the paper for your letter. If your letter has not appeared within a week or two, follow up with a call to the editorial department of the newspaper.

-Always sign your letters as an individual or representative of a group such as AAI.