How to Teach Your Child to Write a Letter to the Editor

Writing a letter to the editor of the local newspaper helps children learn writing skills, editing, revising, and tools to use for effective communication.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with internet access and a printer
• Printer
• Envelopes
• Stamp
• Address for local newspaper

1. Ask the child to find a current event. It is possible to combine this with another area of study. For example, if the student is currently studying conservation or recycling, then a letter to the editor encouraging people in the community to increase their recycling efforts would be an opportunity to combine both areas of study.

2. Review the newspaper's requirements for letters to the editor (signed, a certain length, etc.).

3. Create a draft of the letter to the editor, then have him proofread his writing by himself, noting the changes in the margin.

4. Review the draft with his corrections with him. Ask why he made these changes.

5. Suggest additional changes and explain why. Then, have the writer type the letter as a final draft. Read through again for any last minute changes. Then, submit!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to follow guidelines for submitting to your particular newspaper.