ACTION: Write a Letter to the Editor of Your Local Newspaper


newspaperThe Letters to the Editor (LTEs) sections in newspapers provide a forum to voice your opinion and send a message to your community and its leaders. A well-written and strongly supported LTE can have a great impact on your entire community and those who govern it. LTEs are a great way to practice press activism.

Send a Letter to the Editor of Your Local Newspaper

If you've never written an LTE, don't worry. We've laid out a couple of options for you: 1) Send (and amend if you have the inkling) the letter we've written below; or 2) Write your own letter. Just keep the helpful hints below in mind when writing.

Once you have your letter ready to go, visit the website of your local paper to find out how (and to whom) you should send your letter.

Send our sample letter:

Let's Learn from our "Special Relationship"

Dear Editor,

The new Prime Minister of Great Britain, Gordon Brown, made a brilliant move when he recently announced the appointment of a new and high-level British minister of state for Africa, Asia and the United Nations. Since our nation enjoys a special and historical relationship with Great Britain, Prime Minister Brown’s example is one President Bush could be well served to learn from.

As numerous polling data has illustrated, our country’s perception amongst our friends and allies around the world has plummeted in recent years. If President Bush were to appoint someone to a similar post in his administration, it would go a long way in repairing our nation’s image overseas, while at the same time furthering our national interest and foreign policy goals.

The idea of Prime Minister Brown’s illustrates the important that his government places on development and eradicating hunger, poverty and disease and ensuring coordination with the United Nations on these vital global issues. The citizens of our nation also share these goals because they are the right thing to do and they are in the long-term interest of the global community. I would urge President Bush think long and hard about exercising the same kind of vision and leadership that Great Britain’s new Prime Minister has displayed.

Sincerely,

[Your Name
Your Town]

 

Helpful Hints for Writing Your Own LTE:

  • Planning
  1. Pick one point or topic to discuss.
  2. Review previously published letters and identify any similarities.
  3. Research the publication’s audience and write your letter accordingly.
  • Writing Rules
  1. Comment on a recently published article in the publication.
  2. Use facts and evidence to support your point.
  3. Keep it clear, succinct and memorable. LTEs are short, so get straight to the point.
  4. Connect your article to current events. Putting your letter in the perspective of today’s world makes your letter relevant.
  5. Follow instructions. Consult the newspaper’s specifications on publishing a letter to the editor. For example, word limit (generally 250 words or less), author information, format, etc. Always include your name, signature, address, and telephone number.