A letter to the editor is an effective way to share your opinion on a local, state, or national issue. Editors generally choose to publish letters that are original and from people living in the newspaper’s circulation area. Writers can also make their letters more compelling by sharing information about themselves, such as a personal story or a unique experience that helps explain an issue. If you are trying to influence a particular legislator or corporation, mentioning your name and title can make an even greater impact.
Begin with a brief opening paragraph that grabs the reader’s attention and makes clear what you want to communicate. In the body of the letter, you should focus on one or two well-developed ideas and provide supporting evidence for each point. Personal stories, anecdotes, and statistics are especially effective in gaining readers’ interest.
Be sure to follow the publication’s guidelines for word count and submission deadline. Proofread your letter carefully for spelling and grammar mistakes, and consider having someone else read it as well to provide a fresh perspective. Finally, be sure to include your name and contact information in the closing paragraph so editors can contact you if necessary. If possible, write to a local or state newspaper rather than a nationally distributed journal. Smaller publications are more likely to publish your letter, and they often have lower minimum circulation requirements. Letters that are a response to an article published within the last few issues of the newspaper are most likely to be accepted for publication.