Tips On Writing Local Letters to the Editor
Ulster Strong encourages writing Letters to the Editor. They are a great way to let your voice be heard, and help shape opinion in your community. Did you know Letters to the Editor section are one of the most widely read areas of any paper?
The following tips will help make the process of writing and sending a letter much easier - its a snap once you get the hang of it!
What makes a good letter? The basics.
Focus on one topic. If you have two, write a second letter.
Obey those word count limits. If your letter gets long, write a second letter.
Be clear and concise—you only have around 250 words or less to make your point.
Be yourself. You don’t need to talk like an academic or a policy expert.
Its a good practice to check each paper for specific requirements, however most papers follow common guidelines. Here are a few helpful tips:
1. Since newspapers often set a limit of 200-250 words for a letter to the editor, you need to be concise - often the most challenging aspect of writing a letter. First, cut background material to your issue unless it is essential; assume your reader has knowledge of basic facts.
2. If guidelines require that your letter be a response to a previously printed article, include the date and title of that article.
3. You can include a title, but the editor will often change it to highlight what he/she wants to emphasize.
4. Some papers will not allow language that directly addresses a person, e.g., “Board President XYZ, what do you think will happen when you . . . “ Edit your comments to phrase more broadly, not personally.
5. Generally, your letter will capture an editor’s interest if it offers a different or unusual perspective. Framing an issue with a metaphor or analogy can be effective. Satire works subversively, and it can disarm the online trolls.
6. A paper might not print your letter if it is a call to action, e.g., “Those who support The Kingstonian will be meeting next week . . . “
7. Papers will generally limit you to one letter per month in order, they say, to accommodate a range of community voices.
When your letter has been published, be sure to send Ulster Strong a copy/link at: info@ulsterstrong.com, along with the name and date of the publication. We can share it with others.
Writing letters to the editor is not difficult.
1. Click on the link to the newspaper to which you wish to submit your letter.
2. Write a brief introduction to your letter, something like “I would like to submit the attached letter to your newspaper for consideration for publication. Thank you.”
3. Sign your name, address, and phone number.
4. Attach your letter to the email.
Links to Local Newspapers and Letter to the Editor Contact Information: