There is a quick and easy way to spread our message: Letters
to the Editor. The "Opinion" page is one of the most read
sections of the newspaper. It is read more often than the
comics are. Letters that appear on those pages are short
statements that have as much respect and influence as the paper's
"official" editorials.
Getting Published - Not Such A
Big Deal
Being published is not the only reason to write letters to the
editor. Unpublished letters can influence which letters do
see print. Editors like to publish a representative selection
of letters. The more letters that agree with you, the more
likely your point - if not your letter - will make it into print.
Letters have even changed the minds of editors in the past in papers as
large and influential as The Washington Times.
Before Writing - Getting It
All Together
Select a previously published article to reference, if
possible. This can be a specific or loose reference (see the
appendix below for an example). Referencing a local article
can often give your letter that extra chance of being
published. Referencing an article also lets them know that
you are reading their work.
It never hurts to read the paper you are writing to. That can
give you an idea of what sorts of coverage and editorial position of
the paper. Especially if writing about a mistake or
oversight, avoid blanket attacks on the media in general - or the
newspaper in particular.
Finally, do not just look at your major local paper.
Community papers nearly always have room for letters to the editor, as
do an increasing number of broadcast news programs (60 Minutes, All
Things Considered, etc.). You can also submit to major papers
in other locations, and large national papers. This is
especially feasible in the age of the Internet, but can be accomplished
the "old-fashioned" way just as easily. See our Media Contact
Information appendix for contact information.
Writing the Letter - ERIC and
General Tips
EPIC stands for Engage,
Propose,
Illustrate,
and Call
to action (or Commitment). It is an easy format you can use
to write your letter. It makes opinion writing much quicker
and easier.
Engage:
Engage the reader with a startling fact, a visceral image or a strong
statement of a serious problem.
Propose:
Make a specific proposal
Illustrate:
Illustrate how the proposal would work and why it is important. Give a
few details or examples to make it concrete.
Call
to action or Commitment: Call
for a specific action or express your commitment to solving the problem.
There are a few general guidelines while you are working within the
ERIC format.
Be to the point.
Focus exclusively on one topic, and just concentrate on a few powerful
points.
Use simple
language. You are trying to get the message out to anyone who
can read it.
Write honestly, and with
passion. Avoid being overly dramatic, and avoid personal
attacks (see the appendix below for an example).
Keep it short. Use
about 150-300 words for print and only about 100 words for TV or radio.
After Writing - A Few More
Guidelines
Proofread your letter. It is best to have a friend check the
written copy. Also, read it aloud. If part of your
letter sounds "wrong" when you read it out loud, you may want to
re-write that part.
Be sure to sign your letter with your real name, address, and a good
daytime phone number. If you're sending your letter by
e-mail, add a note: "Dear Editor: I'm sending this by e-mail
so I can't sign it. If you need confirmation of this letter, feel free
to call my voice number."
Find others to write letters when possible. This will show that other
individuals in the community are concerned about the issue. If your
letter isn’t published, perhaps someone else's on the same
topic will.
Be email savvy. If you submit by email, paste your letter into the text
of the email. Do not send attachments. Many papers will not even open
an email with an attachment.
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it. How many times have you gotten mad at
the newspaper or television? Take that energy and frustration
and do something with it - write a letter to the editor!
Let us say that an article runs about privatizing school bus
drivers. A specific reference
would talk about why privatizing is a good or bad idea. A
loose reference could talk about tax policy ("We wouldn't have to even
consider this if the local megastore would pay taxes into the community
like the rest of us."), globalization ("Privatization - like
outsourcing - affects our local community."), and so on.
Attacking the Individual -
Another Appendix
Good: "Secretary of State Whitebad has misused taxpayer money
and broken the rules. He should be held accountable for what
he's done wrong."
Bad: "Secretary of State Whitebad is a no-good S.O.B."
Of course, the "bad" example may be completely true - it just may not
be useful in getting your letter published.
