How to Write a Letter to the Editor

Whether you want to praise, criticize, vilify, or show off, make sure you're taken seriously by using discipline and clarity in your editorial letter. Change the world one letter at a time.

Step 1: Identify subject
Identify the article or subject with which you want to take issue, including dates for reference and fact checking. Include your address, phone number, and e-mail address in your letter's header so that your piece has a chance of being published.

Tip
Don't alienate your readers by attacking anyone. This is a public dialogue.

Step 2: Read examples
Review newspaper editorial pages or online letters to pluck good ideas or emulate tone and style. Decide if you are praising someone's actions, writing a complaint letter, or correcting bad information.

Tip
Don't expect miracles. Be happy that you were able to spout your message unaltered for public consumption.

Step 3: Keep it short
Write a brief, intelligent, and easy to understand composition of 150 words. Pick one specific reason the topic deserves discussion.

Step 4: Be witty
Show your wit and be yourself, so that the reader is comfortable considering your argument. Find original ways to get the point across with your own fresh perspective.

Step 5: Keep audience in mind
Write the letter only for this audience and publication rather than broadening your message for wider consumption. Local appeal is a significant factor in getting it in the paper.

Step 6: Propose solution
Propose a respectful and rational resolution in the last paragraph. Invite the reader to support your cause without sounding like a salesman.

Step 7: Wait
Wait before submitting another piece. Editors want their editorial letters to vary. If your letter is not printed within a couple weeks, send it to another paper. Keep trying to get your voice heard!

Did You Know?
Founded by Ben Franklin, The Saturday Evening Post is the oldest American magazine, dating back to 1728.

[mauriciomena]

Thanks, I always want to write letters for editors in my country, a like the new words for my vocabulary, thanks

[norairtarasov]

How to write a letter to the editor:
1. Include the next 3 things in your letter’s header:
a. Include your phone number.
b. Include your email address.
c. Include your address.
This makes you have a higher probability of being published.

2. As it is a public dialogue don’t alienate readers by attacking.
3. Decide if you’re praising someone’s actions, writing a complaint letter or correcting bad information.
4. Write a brief, easy to understand and intelligent composition of 150 or less words.
5. Pick one specific reason the topic deserves discussion.
6. Be yourself so that the reader can consider your argument.
7. Before submitting another letter wait for editor to vary the old one first.
I counted 7 steps when you have 5 LOL

[LifeTec]

Dear editor is wrong... Sir or madame is right

[peggydillmantaschereau]

Letter to the Editor of the Toronto Globe and Mail

I have been trying in vain to send this direct the G&M for about an hour. I'm giving up and hope that they'll see this here and print it in the paper and add it to the on-line edition.

Reference: today's story about Jimmy Kimmell's becoming Honourary (sic) Mayor of Dildo, NL

When we moved to Mexico in 1991 and I started working in real estate, the first thing I had to do after getting working papers (FM3s) was to have Official Receipts printed. When I went to pick them up, I was appalled to see that my name was not the Pennsylvania Dutch United Empire Loyalist name of Dillman(n) but "Dildoman". The clerk couldn't understand why I wouldn't accept them as is and since I didn't know (and still don't) the word for "dildo" in Spanish and wasn't about to draw one, I had a hard (ahem) time explaining the problem. Finally, I showed him my passport and wrote my name out for him. I had them reprinted at my expense(!) and carefully checked them when I went to get them.

Peggy Dillman Taschereau
Honorary Consul of Canada (ret.)
for the State of Baja Califonia Sur, Mexico

BTW: In Canada and the UK, "honour" and "honourable" have Us, but not "honorary". Gotta love English, n'est-ce pss?
?
Note to the Globe: if you want my phone 'number, please email me

[videomissionary]

optional: a horrible haircut and beard

[matthewdevereux]

I have just written 25 letters to newspapers and magazines saying I would give the Nobel Prize for Literature away to over 700 female writers to balance the prizes up on a gender basis and nobody has responded. @devereuxmatthew