Helpful Hints for Writing Letters to the Editor

Helpful Hints for Writing Letters to the Editor

Writing a letter to the editor is a fairly easy and quick process. Here are some helpful hints:

Be timely by responding to something that is currently in the news. E.g. news story, article, editorial, event, or another letter

Keep the letter short and to the point (stay on the same subject)

Avoid long sentences and big words

Limit the number of key points to three or less

Be as factual as possible, and support with examples

Personalize by explaining how the issue affected you and/or will affect the readers

Tell the readers what you want them to do

Be constructive (If you criticize, offer another solution or alternative.)

Type your letter, rather than hand-writing

Topic of the letter could support or expand on something already in the news, make a point that was omitted, or disagree with and correct misinformation

Suggested outline for the body of the letter is in the first paragraph give an overview of the issue, second paragraph give the background and supporting information, and in the third paragraph tell the readers what you want them to do.

Back to List of Newspapers
Back to political actions
Back to Taking Action

	Be timely by responding to something that is currently in the news. E.g. news story, article, editorial, event, or another letter
	Keep the letter short and to the point (stay on the same subject)
	Avoid long sentences and big words
	Limit the number of key points to three or less
	Be as factual as possible, and support with examples
	Personalize by explaining how the issue affected you and/or will affect the readers
	Tell the readers what you want them to do
	Be constructive (If you criticize, offer another solution or alternative.)
	Type your letter, rather than hand-writing
	Topic of the letter could support or expand on something already in the news, make a point that was omitted, or disagree with and correct misinformation
	Suggested outline for the body of the letter is in the first paragraph give an overview of the issue, second paragraph give the background and supporting information, and in the third paragraph tell the readers what you want them to do.