The letters to the editor section of a newspaper is one of the most widely read sections and offers you a good way to express your thoughts about the issue of the uninsured and the cost of coverage. Your letter should be in response to an editorial, op-ed or article that has already run in the newspaper.
These tips will help:
- Link to your planned activities. Editors are interested in printing letters that relate to events happening in the community.
- Make one clear argument. The piece should be in favor of or critical of a particular position taken by the paper or described in an article.
- Be specific. The letter should focus on a specific issue that was raised in an article or opinion piece.
- Cite the article. Be sure to mention the title and date of the article you’re responding to in one of your first two sentences. For example “Dear Editor, Your recent coverage of the issue of the uninsured (“Healthcare in America,” May 13, 2005) was a thoughtful piece…”
- Be brief. Generally, four to six paragraphs are ideal—about 300-400 words. If you can’t contain the piece to that length, consider asking someone to help you edit it or write a 750- word op-ed instead.
- Follow up. If you have sent your letter to the editor and haven’t heard anything within a week, make a follow-up call to check on its status. Be aware that editors receive hundreds of letters and may not respond to you immediately.
You must include your name, address and daytime phone number in your letter. Instructions for submitting a letter to the editor are usually at the bottom of the page where they appear or on the paper’s Web site. Find out from your local paper the best way to send a letter. Some papers like them mailed, others prefer faxes, while others favor e-mails.
