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Step 1
Make sure you have your facts right. If you are writing to dispute the facts of a given article, or question the slant or a certain editorial, read the piece in question over at least one additional time to make sure you are correct in your criticisms and did not misinterpret the writer’s meaning or intent.
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Step 2
Back your points up with research. If you are fired up enough about something you’ve read to go to the trouble of writing a letter to the editor about it, you probably know something about the topic in question already. If so, you should make sure to check the facts you are about to point out in your letter before simply reciting them from memory. The last thing you want to do is point out a mistake by making another one.
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Step 3
Make a quick outline. The average person writes few letters these days, much less letters to the editor that have the potential of being read by hundreds of people. The best way to make sure your letter makes sense and gets to the point quickly is to make a short outline before you write out the final copy. Make sure you have a sensible and understandable opening statement, an example or two of what you want to point out and an ending that ties things together.
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Step 4
Make sure to use proper letter style. Most editorial pages are submitted in standard business letter form, but the best way to determine how to post your letter is to simply look over the letters on the page in question and follow the same format. Every editorial page also features an information box that explains the rules and regulations for submitting letters.
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Step 5
Make your points quickly and simply. The best letters to the editor are the ones that get right to the point and use short, easy-to-read sentences. Avoid long, extravagant explanations and unnecessary big words.
