Letter to the editor
| Letters to the editor appear on the opinion page of the daily newspaper. You also will find letters in news magazines and other publications. Newspapers will not accept unsigned letters; magazines often do. |
Letters to the editor are a form of audience feedback for newspapers and magazines. Publications often print a portion of the letters received from readers even when the letters are not flattering to the publication. Letters usually agree or disagree with something printed earlier in the publication. Occasionally, letter writers point out additional information or direct readers to other sources of information. But MOST letters stem from something published previously in the publication. Try to cover new ground rather than rehashing old, tired rhetoric about overcovered topics. Most publications accept letters via snail mail, fax or e-mail.
HOW TO GET PUBLISHED
Study letters to the editor in the newspaper of your choice.
Write on a current topic of interest to you but also of interest to other readers.
The letter may be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to any newspaper.
Your letter must be typed, double-spaced and error-free.
It must be addressed properly. Use an inside address on the letter.
Here are some tips to enhance the likelihood your letter could be published:
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Write about a current topic. Base your letter on something published in the publication to which you are submitting a letter. Address the letter this way: Editor: Reference the article you are writing about (Re: "Problem with teens" Feb. 22) State the problem simply. Write simple, clear sentences with one sentence to a paragraph. Give specific comments or suggestions. "Officials should put the PGA Village up for a vote" is better than "All politicians are money-grubbing worms." Give some credence to the opposing side in building your case. "While Mayor Garza's riding a bus to work on ozone action days illustrates a point, he should realize thousands of local residents don't have that option because VIA Metropolitan Transit doesn't serve their areas." Do some research before you write. Give specifics. Avoid generalities. "Seventy-five percent of students entering college need a least one remedial course" is preferable to "High schools fail to prepare students for college." Write on a topic of interest to most readers. Avoid "open letters," letters to an individual but shared with the public. Don't write an "open letter to the woman who cut me off in traffic yesterday" or "an open letter to President George W. Bush." Write directly to President Bush. The woman in traffic probably won't see your letter anyway. Remember, letters to the editor are subject to the same libel charges and invasion of privacy laws that apply to the rest of the publication. If you call someone "a crook," be sure to be able to prove it. Opinions are one thing, but an inaccurate statement of fact is entirely different. Follow the submission policies of the publication. Editorial staffers must have a way to verify the letter to avoid pranks and false submissions. If you write to The Ranger, you must include a phone number, printed name and Social Security number. The editors check to make sure of the letter writer and call to get permission to print the letter. If you go to the trouble of writing a letter, write one worthy of your name. Sign the letter and expect your name to be printed. Most publications do not run unsigned letters or use initials. Don't confuse news tips with letters to the editor. Address news tips to the appropriate section or department. |
Click here for examples of letters in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
Click here for examples of letters in the San Antonio Express-News