Write a letter to the editor (LTE) and submit it to the newspaper of your choice!

Overview

Letters to the Editor (LTEs) are great ways to get the word out about issues you care about. They can be used to educate the public, air frustrations, spread gratitude, indirectly inform public policy or influence legislators, and publicize the work of specific groups or organizations. LTEs are published as part of a newspaper or magazine’s opinion section, one of the most widely read features of any publication.

For this activity/exercise, each student will write a letter to the editor (LTE) of a local or national newspaper.  If you can’t get started, a good idea is to research & review LTEs, so that you can (1) start with an idea to write about, and (2) follow 8 steps (created by Action Utah) to write a letter about it AND submit it to the newspaper of your choice! 

Start with an idea

• What issue or problem will you write about? 

• You will need to research the issue briefly and reflect critically on the implication it has for social policies and social justice issues. The issue could relate to a proposed welfare policy, community project or process, or the proposed legislative bill they intend to support or oppose for their class assignment. Letters must be written professionally and free of spelling and grammatical errors. 

8 Steps to write your letter!

STEP 1: WHAT’S YOUR POINT? There can be only ONE main point per LTE. Figure out what it is and state it in your first sentence. Phrase your point as a single clear and specific thesis or question.

STEP 2: HOOK THE READER Start your letter with a “hook,”a sentence that introduces your reason for writing in an interesting way, enticing the reader to keep reading. Keep the most important information upfront, preferably in the first paragraph.

Tie your LTE into a current event, recent LTE, op-ed, article, or pop reference. Or tell a personal story or take an unexpected angle — anything to make it grab our interest!

STEP 3: SUPPORT AND SOLUTIONS This is the body of your LTE. State the PROBLEM and why we should care, include good evidence (data, historical precedent, personal stories), knock down opposition
arguments with facts, propose SOLUTIONS and why they will work.

STEP 4: CALL TO ACTION In conclusion, make a small ask of readers, elected officials or editorial staff. This can include thanking or rewarding someone for a good deed done.

STEP 5: KEEP IT SHORT! Remember to keep LTEs at 200-300 words, but even shorter is fine too! Op-eds can be 500-600 words. Remember to take time to edit for grammar, word choice, content and length as well.  Adhere to your word count. Each publication will have their own word count requirements, ensuring that your letter is short and focused. Stick to one or two major points to ensure that you stay focused and do not exceed the word count limit.

STEP 6: TIMING IS EVERYTHING Good timing can make your LTE more relevant. Submit quickly in response to events, LTEs/op-eds/articles, statements by elected officials or current affairs. Don’t submit to the same paper within 30 days of publishing there.

STEP 7: HOW TO SUBMIT Submit your LTE or op-ed to your local paper. You can alternatively try submitting to a paper with wider distribution, like the Salt Lake Tribune or Deseret News, or even to a national paper.  Submit to only one paper at a time. Send LTEs responding to someone else’s LTE, op-eds or article to the publishing paper only. Provide proof of submission 

STEP 8: TRY, TRY AGAIN! Don’t despair if your letter doesn’t get published. Submit the same letter to other publications. Submit a new letter to the same publication. Try a new angle. Try a new issue. Keep building this new skill!

Things to consider

• Be clear, concise, and conversational. Your style and tone are important. It is also important to write the letter in your own words. Make your reader feel like they are your friend and that you have some expertise or insight that they can learn from. If possible, share relevant personal or professional experience and any local connection(s) to the topic.
• Know your facts and don’t make unfounded statements.
• Each paper has its own deadlines and word limits – so check on your paper’s requirements before you begin writing!  By the way, what is your local paper?
• Where will you submit your LTE?
• What is the word limit for your piece?
• What are the editorial deadlines for LTEs?