Community leaders and local politicians often read published letters to get a sense of public opinion. If you mention an organization or prominent individual in your letter, the organization or individual's will most likely read your letter. Here are so things to remember when writing a good letter to the editor: • Keep your letter to 200 words or fewer. • Letters to the editor are opinion pieces, so make sure your first sentence states your point of view. • Each newspaper has a specific way to submit letters to the editor. Newspapers often specify what information they need in order to publish a letter; be sure your letter includes that information. • You should also include your contact information (full name, address, telephone number, and email address). • Newspapers will often contact writers before they publish their letters to ensure the letters are genuine.
• Newspapers typically publish letters with the author's name and home town (for example: "John Doe, Washington, DC"), so make sure whatever you say in your letter is something you would feel comfortable saying aloud in a room full of your fellow citizens.
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