We urge Democrats to engage in the
political process year ‘round by calling, emailing and
writing your legislators and the media. Get the facts, hone
your argument, make your case.
If at least one Democrat in Lincoln County
each day writes a letter (or writes an email or makes a call)
we will achieve a Letter a Day from
Lincoln County. It’s that
simple!
This page lists tips for writing letters to
the editor, compiled February, 2005
by Jerry Topinka.
TIPS ON WRITING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Most important is "Just Do It
Now". Speak out in your own way when you feel the
motivation. The following is a compilation of suggestions taken
from many experienced sources that you may find useful.
The only tips that all should follow are
tips #1 through #3.
1. Include your NAME, HOME TOWN, E-MAIL
ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER and DATE with your letter. Papers will
publish only your name and town. Sign paper letters sent via
traditional mail.
2. Keep concise, focused and to the point,
dealing with a single issue.
3. Follow newspaper guidelines including
those for word length, although some papers will allow longer
letters on more popular subjects. Contact the editor in advance
if you wish to submit a long letter, column or op-ed for their
prior approval. Unless otherwise noted keep to 250-300 words.
Keep submissions to distant papers especially brief.
4. Editors prefer E-mail, Webform or Fax
submissions.
5. In your title, you may grab the readers
attention with something provocative, offer a challenge or ask
a question.
6. Think about and organize what you want
to say.
a. Make your first sentence short,
compelling and possibly "catchy".
b. In the first paragraph get your point
across and give an overview.
c. In the next paragraph/paragraphs give
background and supporting information, possibly citing the
views or quotes of prominent people or organizations to bolster
your views. Be as factual as possible.
d. In the final paragraph, suggest what you
want the reader to do.
7. Think of connecting with your readers,
so be informal and make it easy to read using shorter sentences
and avoiding longer words.
8. Personalize and include personal
experience where appropriate.
9. Be positive, never abusive, and offer
constructive ideas/remedies.
10. A letter may be based on your response
to an editorial/letter in that same newspaper.
11. Make your letter timely with respect to
what is currently in the news.
12. Many experienced writers suggest that
while it is best to write ASAP when you feel the motivation,
put the letter aside until the next day to proofread again for
common mistakes, and errors in wording or logic.
13. Don't be discouraged if some letters
are rejected. Consider shortening and rewording them for
re-submission or submission to other newspapers.
14. If your letter is timely and of general
interest consider submitting slightly edited versions to other
newspapers as well.
15. Spend the 15 minutes to organize your
submission e-mail addresses together as a group in your
computer address book and enter your "e-mail Webform"
addresses in a "favorites" folder so as soon as you
get an idea for a letter you can quickly and easily act on it.
16. Consider writing letters into
"txt" or "doc" files, then copying and
pasting them where needed when submitting them.
17. Language is important. Read "Don't
Think of An Elephant" by George Lakoff and visit the
Rockridge Institute http:
//www.rockridgeinstitute.org/ to
understand how to "Frame" your issues in the
strongest ways. The concepts are excellent!
18. Learn the arguements of opposition
proponents/candidates to more effectively counter their
postions.