How to Write a Letter to the Editor

Whether you're writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper, magazine or newsletter, your writing needs to be clear, concise and focused. Follow these steps to get your letter published and prevent it from being heavily edited.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer with Internet access
• An email account

How to Write a Letter to the Editor

1. Decide what type of letter you are writing. Do you want to influence other readers? Are you trying to let readers know about an upcoming event? Or maybe you just want to thank someone in a public manner.

2. If your letter is an attempt to persuade readers, do your research. Even though it's a letter, quote sources as if you're writing a news article. Contact local organizations or politicians so you can add their opinions, as well as your own.

3. Write an outline. Choose two or three specific points you want to cover, but include everything you might want to say.

4. Once your outline is complete, read through it and eliminate everything that isn't essential to your letter. Think of this as "de-cluttering." Long letters don't tend to be published or they are heavily edited.

5. Once you have your information whittled down to what is truly important, begin writing. Compose your first sentence so that it summarizes your entire letter. The following sentences should expand on your summary.

6. Proofread your letter. Are your sentences simple and to-the-point? Use spell check but don't rely on it. Read your letter out loud, and then read it starting at the end and finishing at the beginning. This will help you find errors spell check might have missed.

7. Give your letter to a friend to read. Ask your friend if the letter makes sense. Is there information missing that could add to its clarity?

8. Find the email address of the editor. Look for titles such as "Opinion Editor," "Managing Editor" or "News Editor." Don't email your letter to a reporter; it's likely to sit in the reporter's in-box for weeks.

9. Include "Letter to the Editor" in your email's title.

10. Copy and paste your letter into the body of the email; but also include the letter as an attachment. Sign both the email and your letter with your full name and your city.

11. If you don't see your letter published within a reasonable amount of time, contact the editor. Ask why your letter was not published and if you can resubmit it with changes.

Tips & Warnings

• Most newspapers and magazines don't have the resources to retype a letter, so sending it in electronic form reduces the amount of work the publication will need to do to publish it.
• Aim to keep your letter less than 500 words.
• The editor will edit your letter to fit the publication's style. Errors will also be corrected, but keeping your letter error-free will add to your credibility.
• Avoid including statements that could be considered libelous.

[bev131]

on 5/3/2009 Therefore we expected, with guidance from the president, our board of trustees would vote to retain the identify of Manatee. Why wasn’t the "name change" on the agenda and minutes of the meeting? Why didn’t the board advertise and ask the public for comments before deciding upon any changes? Why, were the name, logo and colors changed in secrecy? It is not to late for the board of trustees to remove the dark cloud hanging over their heads. Admit mistakes, make acceptable name changes and logo adaptations, or how will the community trust the board to make future decisions? We are proud of the direction the College is headed, but will the athletics and their fans ever be able to cheer for the "fighting Sea Slugs?" Beverley Comstock,Former photojournalist for the Varitas, MCC student newspaper.4178 Heron WayBradenton, Fl 34205941-752-0055

[bev131]

on 5/3/2009 To meet the State requirements to become a four year college, the State requires the word “Community” be dropped from Manatee Community College. Everyone assumed, because we had heard nothing to the contrary from the Board, that the new name would be Manatee College, or Manatee State College. The other assumption is our President, Lars Hafner, former SPJC student athlete, was a key player in establishing the four year college at St. Petersburg without losing its identity. Therefore we expected, with guidance from the president, our board of trustees would vote to retain the identify of Manatee. Why wasn’t the "name change" on the agenda and minutes of the meeting? Why didn’t the board advertise and ask the public for comments before deciding upon any changes? Why, were the name, logo and colors changed in secrecy? It is not to late for the board of trustees to remove the dark cl...

[bev131]

on 5/3/2009 Please publish this letter in "Letters to the editor".The rush, after 51 years,to rename our beloved Manatee Community College (MCC), has certainly angered and disappointed many of our students, staff, athletes, alumni, faculty and community. Writers of letters to the editor in our local newspapers have used these words to describe the boards actions; aghast, saddened, betrayed, resentment, arrogance, sickened, SCOF, violated sunshine law, back room deals, gag order, and fat slug-like creature. In response to these accusations Steve Harner, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said, We were doing our obligation as trustees...”To meet the State requirements to become a four year college, the State requires the word “Community” be dropped from Manatee Community College. Everyone assumed, because we had heard nothing to the contrary from the Board, that the new name would be Manatee Col...