Writing letters to readers is a good way to better understand a topic you are passionate about and to influence public opinion. While it's not easy to come up with a reader's letter to load, you can increase your chances of attracting an editor by following a few basic guidelines. If you want to know how to write a reader's letter, follow these steps.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Preparing to Write a Letter
Step 1. Decide which topic and newspaper you are going to
A reader's letter can be a response to several things. Usually a reader's letter is a response to a specific article, but your letter can be a response to an event or issue in the community.
- We recommend that you write a reader's letter in response to a particular article published by the newspaper. This will give your letter a chance to be selected for publication.
- If you are responding to an event or issue in the community, the most suitable medium for your reader's letter is the local newspaper.
Step 2. Read other readers' letters from the newspaper of your choice
Before you start writing your reader's letter, read other readers' letters from your chosen newspaper for inspiration. Each reader's letter differs slightly in form, style, tone, and even length. Read the letters to get a better idea of how to express your readers' letters and to find out what interests the editor of the newspaper.
Step 3. Refer to the mailing guide for your chosen newspaper reader
Most newspapers have guidelines for the type of letter they will load. Most newspapers have rules about the length of the reader's letter. The newspapers usually also ask you to enter your name and contact information for verification. There may be additional guidance. Some newspapers do not allow political praise and limit how often we can submit articles. Be sure to read the guide before you submit.
If you can't find a guide to sending a reader's letter, contact public relations to inquire
Step 4. Determine why you are writing the reader's letter
There are a number of approaches to writing this type of reader letter. Your approach depends on why you are writing the reader's letter. Set the expectations you want to achieve by writing that reader's letter. Here are some reasons:
- You are angry about an issue and you want your readers to know about it.
- You want to publicly congratulate or support something or someone in your community.
- You want to correct information in an article.
- You want to convey ideas to other people.
- You want to influence public opinion or persuade others to take action.
- You want to influence policymakers or elected officials.
- You want to publish a particular organization's work related to a current issue.
Step 5. Write your reader's letter within two to three days of the article you respond to
Make sure your reader's letter is delivered on time by sending it shortly after the article you are discussing is published. This increases the chances of your reader's letter loading, as the issue is still fresh in the editor's (and reader's) mind.
Part 2 of 5: Creating the Opening of Your Reader's Letter to the Editor
Step 1. Include your address and contact information
Make sure you include your full contact details at the top of your letter. This includes not only an address, but also an email address (email), and a telephone number where you can be reached.
- If your reader's letter is selected, the editor will use this information to contact you.
- If your newspaper has an online submission system, it may provide a place for contact information that you must fill out.
Step 2. Write the date
After your contact information, move to the next line then add the date. Write it formally, like when you write a business letter, for example: “July 1 2015.”
Step 3. Write down the recipient's name and address
If you are writing an email or sending a letter in the mail, write the name of the recipient as if you were writing a business letter. Include the recipient's name, title, company, and address. If you don't know the name of the editor, you can look it up in the paper, or just write "Editor".
Step 4. Say if you want your reader's letter to be published anonymously
It's a good idea to include your name in the letter, and some newspapers won't carry anonymous readers' letters. However, there are times when you want to express your opinion, but you don't want other people to know. Add a note to the editor that you want your reader's letter to be published anonymously.
- Unless you're not writing about a provocative issue, chances are your letter won't be published anonymously.
- You'll still need to include your name and contact information, so the paper can verify your reader's letter. The newspaper will not contain your information if you ask the editor not to load it.
Step 5. Write a short greeting
No need to use flowery words. Just write "To the Editor," "To the Editor of Kompas," or "Dear Editor." Follow this greeting with a comma or colon.
Part 3 of 5: Designing a Reader's Letter
Step 1. Name the article you responded to
Immediately hint to your readers by mentioning the title and date of the article you responded to. Additionally, include the article's arguments. Write this in just one or two sentences.
For example: "As a literature lecturer, I would like to respond to your article ("Why Novels Are No Longer Important in Classrooms," March 18, 18)."
Step 2. Share your opinion
Once you've presented the argument you'd like to respond to, it's a good idea to clearly state your opinion on the issue and why you think that way. If you have authority on the issue, state your occupation as well. Take this opportunity to show why this issue is relevant and important, but remember, it should be brief.
For example: "Although the article states that students no longer enjoy reading, what I witnessed in my class was quite different. The article was not only inaccurate, it provided a rushed explanation of the many reasons why students can be challenged by reading fiction in a university setting. Students don't get "bored" with fiction because novels are no longer relevant; on the contrary, their enthusiasm wanes because teachers lose interest in the field they teach."
Step 3. Focus on one main point
Your reader's letter is too short to cover much. Your letter can be more powerful if you focus on one issue and provide evidence for that issue.
Step 4. Put your most important points up front
This will help readers identify exactly what you are rebutting from the start. If edited, your letter will be trimmed from the ground up. If your main point is put at the beginning, it won't be lost during editing.
Step 5. Provide evidence
Now that you have expressed your opinion on the issue, you need to substantiate it with some facts. If you want your letter to be selected, then you need to show that you thought and did your research in compiling the letter. Even if you don't have a lot of space, just providing a few key facts can make a big difference. Here are some great ways to provide evidence:
- Use current events in your country or community as evidence.
- Use statistics, data, or survey results.
- Share personal experiences that give the bigger picture.
- Use the hottest political events to support.
Step 6. Use a personal example
To make your points relevant, use personal experience. Readers can easily know the impact of a story on a person when that person tells his or her personal story.
Step 7. Say what should be done
Once you've provided evidence for your point of view, end your reader's letter by saying what could be done to resolve the issue. Perhaps simply creating awareness about this issue in the community will suffice, but perhaps there are other ways readers can tackle this issue and get directly involved.
- Show readers what they can do to become more involved in the issue in their local community.
- Direct readers to websites or organizations that can bring them closer to their goals.
- Provide readers with information on how to get more information about the issue.
- Deliver direct instructions to readers. Ask them to do something, whether contacting legislators directly, voting, recycling, or volunteering in their community.
Step 8. Mention the name in your letter
If your letter is intended to influence a member of the legislature or a company to take a specific action, state the name of the party or company. Staff working for legislators will collect news that mentions the legislator's name. The company will do the same. These people will read your letter if you specifically name them.
Step 9. Write a simple closing
Write a sentence that summarizes your point of view on the issue so readers have a clear reminder of your main message.
Step 10. Include a closing sentence along with your name and city
At the end of your letter, you can write “Greetings,” or “Greetings,” to end your letter. Then include your name and city of residence. Write down the province where you live if the newspaper you are going to is not a local newspaper.
Step 11. List your affiliations if you are writing in a professional capacity
If your professional skills are relevant to your article, include this information between your name and place of residence. If you include your company name in your letter, you are implicitly saying that you are speaking on behalf of the organization. If you are writing on a personal basis, there is no need to include the company name. You can still use your professional title if it's relevant to the issue you covered in the reader's letter. The following is an example of writing an organizational affiliation:
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- Dr. Barbara Smith
- Literature Lecturer
- faculty of Cultural Studies
- Sparrow University
- Springfield, N. Y.
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Part 4 of 5: Editing Your Reader's Letter
Step 1. Write something original
If you write exactly as someone else said, your letter will not be selected. Find a way to put a new direction on an old issue. Your letter may have a better chance of being published if you conclude many other letters impressively and provocatively.
Step 2. Write effectively and without rambling
Generally, a reader's letter is between 150 and 300 words in length. Remember to write concisely.
- Cut out long phrases or flowery language. Write directly and without rambling. This method helps you reduce the word count.
- Delete phrases like “I think.” It's clear that the contents of your letter are the result of your thoughts, so you don't need to use unnecessary words.
Step 3. Write your letter in a respectful and professional tone
Even if you don't agree with the issue, maintain a tone of respect, not anger or blame. Keep your writing formal and avoid slang or overly casual expressions.
Don't insult your readers, the author's articles, or your opponents. Stay calm when writing your letter
Step 4. Write your letter at the level of your readers
Make sure your letter is written according to the reading level of the readers of the newspaper you are aiming for.
Avoid jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations. Readers may not be aware of industry jargon or common abbreviations in your field. Write down the acronym or abbreviation. Use more general terms to replace the jargon
Step 5. Reread your writing
Once you're satisfied with your letter, reread it to check grammar and correct any misspellings. Remember, you are competing with letters written by other people, sometimes the number can be in the hundreds for the national paper. If you use incorrect commas or have grammatical errors, you may be seen as less professional than your competitors.
- Read your letter aloud to make sure that the punctuation flow sounds natural.
- Have someone read your letter. Others who read your letter can help to clarify. That person can also pick up on errors that you might not see.
Part 5 of 5: Ending Your Letter
Step 1. Send your letter
Once the letter has been written, send it to the newspaper of your choice. The guide from the newspaper should state their preferred form of delivery. Most newspapers request submissions electronically, either via email or via online submissions. Some old newspapers still ask that you send your physical letter.
Step 2. Be aware that your letter will be edited
Newspapers have the right to edit readers' letters. Newspapers will mainly edit the length of your letter, or slightly alter a vague message. Newspapers will not change the entire tone of the writing or the arguments in your letter.
If your letter contains slander or incitement, this section will be omitted. Or, your mail will not load at all
Step 3. Follow up with your letter
If your reader's letter is published and you ask a board member or company to take a certain action, follow up with that board member or company. Insert your reader's letter and send it to the board member or company you're referring to. Also include a note indicating the action you requested.
Step 4. Don't be disappointed if your reader's letter is not selected
Even if you write a good letter, it's always possible that another letter caught the attention of the editor and your letter doesn't get published. It does not matter. Now you know how to write a reader's letter to a newspaper editor, and you will become more proficient at writing a reader's letter. Be proud of yourself for having the courage to express your opinion and stand up for something you believe in.
Step 5. Try sending a reader's letter to another newspaper
If your letter didn't get published but you still feel confident about the topic you covered in the letter, try sending a reader's letter covering a similar topic to another newspaper.
Tips
If you're going to publish the work of an organization, it's a good idea to start by creating a press release. If you're not interested in press releases, and you feel your organization is better suited to the hottest issues, try writing a reader's letter
Sources and Citation
- https://reclaimdemocracy.org/effective_letters_editor/
- https://www.ucsusa.org/action/writing-an-lte.html#. VYnRPUaECug
- https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-editor/main
- https://reclaimdemocracy.org/effective_letters_editor/
- https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/653/01/
- https://ctb.ku.edu/en/tablecontents/sub_section_main_1239.aspx
- https://reclaimdemocracy.org/effective_letters_editor/
- https://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/activist/howlte.htm
- https://www.ncte.org/action/write
- https://www.ucsusa.org/action/writing-an-lte.html#. VYnRPUaECug
- https://reclaimdemocracy.org/effective_letters_editor/
- https://reclaimdemocracy.org/effective_letters_editor/
- https://reclaimdemocracy.org/effective_letters_editor/
- https://np.news-press.com/contact/letter-to-editor
- https://www.ucsusa.org/action/writing-an-lte.html#. VYnRPUaECug
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https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-editor/main
