It’s best to respond to a particular article that was published by the newspaper. Then, your letter will be more likely to be chosen for publication, and always be ready for rejection. If you are responding to a community event or issue, your local newspaper is likely to be the most appropriate venue for your letter to the editor.
If you can’t find the guidelines for submitting letters, call the publication to ask.
You are angry about an issue and you want the readers to know about it. You want to publicly congratulate or support something or someone in your community. You want to correct information in an article. You want to suggest an idea to others. You want to influence public opinion or persuade others to take action. You want to influence policymakers or elected officials. You want to publicize a certain organization’s work in connection with a current news issue.
If you’re responding to an article in a weekly newspaper, send in your letter in time for it to be published in the next issue. See the newspaper’s guidelines for the publication deadline.
If your letter is chosen, the editors will use this information to get in touch with you. If the newspaper has an online submission system, it will likely have a space for you to include this information.
Unless you’ve written about a provocative issue, it’s unlikely that your letter will be published if you’ve also requested anonymity. You will still need to provide your name and contact information, so that the newspaper can verify your letter. The newspaper won’t publish your information if you’ve asked it not to.
For example: “As a literature professor, I must take issue with your editorial (“Why Novels no Longer Matter in the Classroom,” March 18th). "
For example: “While the article states that college students no longer take pleasure in reading, everything I’ve seen in my classroom is evidence to the contrary. The article is not only inaccurate, but provides a very cursory explanation of the many reasons why students may be challenged by reading fiction in a college setting. Students aren’t getting “bored” with fiction because the novel is no longer relevant; rather, their enthusiasm is waning because of professors who are losing interest in their own subject matter. "
Use recent events in your state or community as evidence. Use statistics, data, or survey results. Tell a personal story that tells a larger point. Use current events in politics for support.
Point the readers to actions they can take to be more involved in the issue in their local communities. Direct the readers to a website or organization that can further their goals. Give the readers a way to find more information on the subject. Instruct the readers directly. Tell them to do something, whether it’s to call their local congressperson, vote, recycle, or volunteer in their communities.
Dr. Barbara Smith Professor of Literature Humanities Department Sparrow University Springfield, N. Y.
Cut out extraneous phrases or flowery language. Be straight and to the point. This will help you cut down on your word count. Eliminate phrases like “I think. ” It’s apparent that the content of your letter is what you think, so you don’t need to waste the words. [11] X Research source
Don’t insult your readers, the article’s author, or your opponents. Keep an even keel when writing your letter. [12] X Research source
Avoid jargon, acronyms and abbreviations. The readers might not know certain industry jargon or abbreviations that are common in your field. Spell out acronyms and abbreviations. Use more common language in place of jargon. [13] X Research source
Read your letter aloud to make sure that the flow of punctuation is natural. Ask someone to read your letter. Another set of eyes on your letter will help improve clarity. He may also catch errors that you missed.
If your letter contains libelous or inflammatory language, this may be edited out. Or, your letter may not be published at all.
