Armbruster
WRIT 2072
Spring 2006
How to Write Effective Letters to the Editor and Get Them Published
According to Thomas Feyer, Letters Editor at the New York Times , the three most important things you can do when writing a letter to the editor are
1) Write on something timely: an issue or event currently in the news or a specific, recent articles, column, or editorial in the same newspaper to which you're sending your letter.
2) Keep it short; 150 words maximum is a good rule of thumb. Keep individual paragraphs and sentences short as well.
3) Write in a clear, direct, and engaging style
In other words, as Feyer puts it, "Timeliness is a must; brevity will improve your chances; stylishness and wit will win my heart."
Some other guidelines to keep in mind include:
· As in any document, consider your purpose and audience before you write. Do you want to support and expand on something already in the news, make a point that was omitted, or disagree with and correct misinformation?
· Stick to one subject per letter.
· Make sure to include your most important point or thesis in the first paragraph. Doing so will orient your readers and make it less likely that your main point will be obscured or altered if your letter is edited.
· Facts, figures, and expert testimony can make your letter more effective (but don't overload your reader).
· Don't be afraid to ask for action -- tell readers (including elected representatives) what you want them to do.
· Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Editors like to call to confirm that the letter was actually written by the person whose name appears on the letter.
· Edit and proofread carefully. If your grammar or spelling are poor, readers (including the editor) automatically reduce their respect for your opinion.
What not to do:
· Name-calling, profanity, or personal insults will eliminate your letter from consideration.
· Don't misuse capital letters, boldface, and punctuation as an easy way to emphasize points.
Keep in mind:
Letters are not selected solely on individual merit; editors also consider how they fit into the big picture. Their goal is to present contrasting views on issues while also giving a sense of overall public sentiment. So, if most of the letters they receive are against drilling in ANWR, for example, they will print both pro- and anti-drilling letters, but they will likely include more of the latter. They may also strive for geographical diversity within the area they serve, and they are unlikely to publish your letter if they've recently published an earlier one from you.
Letters that are published usually
1) Are the best single expressions of what many people said.
2) Make some point exceedingly well.
3) Are signed by some prominent person.
The chances of having your letter published are best in a local publication like the Webster-Kirkwood Times and worst in a nationally read publication like the New York Times. Of course, the national publications have the widest (and sometimes largest) readership.
For more discussion of how to write letters to the editor, go to
"To the Reader," by Thomas Feyer, Letters Editor at the New York Times : http://www.nytimes.com/ref/opinion/14READ.html
"Some Notes on Letters to the Editor," by San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Page Editor John Diaz: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/submissions/diaznotes.dtl
http://www.calegion.org/html/letters_to_editor.html ,
Cliff Schaffer: http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/activist/howlte.htm
Communications Consortium: Tips on Placing Op-eds and Letters to the Editor
FAIR: How to Communicate with Journalists: http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=122