Tips on Effective Letters To the Editor

• Pick a timely topic
  Newspapers rarely publish letters on topics that are not already being covered in the news. 

• Research Guidelines
  Most paper's length limit on LTEs is around 250 words. Stick to this so that an editor does not cut out the important points of your letter. Some papers require a typed letter. Others may want it sent over e-mail. Often newspapers want your address and phone number so they can verify that you wrote the letter.
  You can usually find a paper's guidelines on the letters page. If not, call the paper directly or visit its website.

• Assume nothing
  Do not assume that your readers are informed on your topic. Give a concise but informative background before plunging into the main issue. Refer to any newspaper article or editorial to which you are responding by date and title. Also include any relevant credentials that prove you are informed about your topic.

• Be brief
  State your position as succinctly as possible without eliminating necessary detail.  Most paper's length limit on LTEs is around 250 words.

• Find a local angle
  Readers are more interested in an issue when they see how it affects their lives and communities. Show how your issue will affect this particular readership.

• Avoid form letters
  Do not send the same letter to two competing papers in the same circulation area, or many copies of an identical letter to a single paper.

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