Writing a letter to the editor (LTE) is easier than you think. LTEs are also helpful tools for advocacy as they reach a large audience, are often seen by elected officials, can cover information not addressed in news articles, and can create an impression of widespread support for or opposition to an issue.
Five steps to write and publish an LTE
1. Keep it succinct. Make sure that your LTE addresses only one issue. Most papers require LTEs to be under 200 words and that doesn’t leave room to cover multiple topics.
2. Make it legible and traceable: Use clear handwriting or type your LTE. Make sure you include your name and contact information so the editor can get in contact with you if they have questions. Many newspapers will also only print an LTE after calling the author to verify their identity and address.
3. Reference previous articles or topics covered in the paper: While some papers print general commentary, many will only print letters that refer to a specific article. Here are some examples of easy ways to refer to articles in your opening sentence:
- I was disappointed to see that (Paper)’s (Date) editorial "(Title)" omitted some of the key facts in the debate.
- I strongly disagree with (author's name)’s narrow view on (Topic). ("Name of Op-Ed," date)
- I am deeply saddened to read that (Topic). ("Title of Article," date)
4. Fact check and proofread.
5. Submit: Visit the newspaper’s website or look at the opinion page for submission instructions. You can follow up with the paper after a couple of days if you didn’t receive submission confirmation.
Contact Your Elected Representatives
Letters are an extremely effective way of communicating with your elected officials. Many legislators believe that a letter represents not only the position of the writer but also many other constituents who did not take the time to write.
A few tips for writing your elected representatives:
- The letter should never be longer than one page.
- State who you are and your goal for writing up front.
- Write only about one to three topics.
- Personalize your letter by telling the recipient how the legislation/issue impacts you and/or your community
To find your elected representatives at every level of government, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.