How to Write a Letter to the Editor that Gets Noticed - 10 Rules
Everything you need to know to write a letter to the Editor that grabs attention.
So, you’re ready to speak up, but you don’t think you have enough support to get the attention of your state or federal representatives yet? Reaching out to your local newspaper may be the way to go. A letter to the editor lets you step into the public square and shape the issues that matter, like getting propaganda out of schools or doctors out of puberty.
While newspapers might not be the force they used to be, locally they still carry a lot of weight, both with lawmakers and with leaders in the community. Letters to the editor are published both online and in print, so you can draw significant attention to your concern by writing a strongly worded missive.
Even more good news, if you haven’t found a group of people supportive to your cause, this may be one of the fastest ways to create one. But to do it effectively, you’ll want to follow some best practices. So let’s look at some ways that you can maximize your impact by writing a letter to the editor.
Do some research. Because publishing has changed significantly, it pays to explore how your local paper is handling such feedback. Start by doing a web search for Letters to the Editor using the name of your area’s newspaper. If you don’t know that, search for your town’s name and local news. Once you’ve found the paper, check the Opinion section. Many periodicals will have specific instructions about what they expect from a letter to the editor. Word limits and other guidelines may be specified and you should find an email address for where to submit your letter. If you don’t find instructions check to see what has already been published. Some news outlets will accept and publish letters about any issue. But if you don’t see guidelines, it’s safer to assume only letters responding to articles, columns or other content will be accepted.
Employ technology to your advantage! We are living in a very modern age. If you struggle to write, use an app that will convert your voice to text. Install Grammarly to fix misspellings and clumsy grammar. Experiment with AI and any other tools at your disposal. Don’t let a fear of the written word, or even a disability stop you. We have the technology. You just need some grit and a little tech savvy. If you don’t know how to use these apps, get a Udemy class to teach you when they are having a sale. If you are more of a people person, reach out for some help. Use your strengths to find a way.
Write your first rough draft. If you are one of the many people who struggle to get started, consider tapping AI to give you an adequate beginning. You can either prompt it to give you a list of first lines to begin with, or have it write a full rough draft. While it may be tempting to leave it at that, don’t. While AI is an amazing tool, and you can ask it for editorial feedback on whatever you write, its dry tone is obvious and unlikely to connect to readers. Another way to get started is to search for sample, “letters to the editor.” The point is not to copy, but to learn the structure of letters that successfully get published and make an impact
Edit what you have. Once you have a garbage (or great) first draft, start to work through what you are trying to say step by step. If you want to make sure you are communicating what you want to say, ask a friend or two to read it and repeat back to you what they think you said. That will help clarify your message but won’t make your friends feel so awkward about giving you criticism. If you really struggle to hear feedback on your writing, consider taking a class or paying a tutor for a session or two. You want your writing to be clear. If your ego is getting in the way of that, it’s holding you back.
Include expertise and personal experience. While it is always best to keep your letter as brief as possible, if you have special knowledge of the subject, share that. Likewise, if you have a personal angle related to the issue, share that too! As much as humans want to be logical, we are story-driven. So if you have a story that can dramatize or add texture, make sure it is included. These additional details can make or break your piece, that is the kind of thing AI can not duplicate.
Mention specific people, institutions, or businesses. If your letter is published and you directly address a specific lawmaker, there is a great chance it will end up on his or her desk the morning it comes out. This is also true for many organizations, institutions, and businesses. This is how you ensure you are targeting attention directly to where it’s needed.
Make your point, stay positive, and call to action. When responding to an article, call out what you see as wrong or problematic. Write a few sentences of logic, evidence, or material that shows a different angle to support your premise. Then, focus on what’s positive. This can include anything you agree with or some other aspect being done well. The point should not to shame (this is rarely helpful or called for) but to inspire future cooperation. Remember, in writing, you are taking a leadership role. So, be a leader that people will want to follow. Finally, close with what you would like to see happen. If you don’t have a specific goal, ask for more conversation about your issue. It is important to help people find ways to channel the energy you are stirring up.
Revise again in your voice. The writing process is forces you to think through what’s troubling you, what you want to see changed, and then restate those thoughts in a way others will understand. When you can do that, your argumentation will be golden. But if you want to connect to people, the more your writing sounds like you talk, the more accessible and personable it will be. In the age of AI, this is the hallmark of true humanity, at least for the moment.
Dot your i’s and cross your t’s. If you need to include your contact information so the paper can contact you before publishing, do it. If there is a word limit, double-check and make sure you are within the guidelines. You wrote this because you want to see it published. Don’t let yourself down at the last minute by overlooking something little. While you are at it, make sure you are being 100% professional in your communication with the publisher. You might be hopping mad about your issue, but if you are rude to the intern responding to your email, all your carefully crafted work won’t even make it to be fish wrap.
Try NOT to get caught up in the outcomes. A letter to the editor should be just another tool in trying to address the wrong you see before you. While they can be powerful, it may take time and repeated effort to see real action. That’s not necessarily a reflection of the merit of your claim. If you like the movies, watch All the President’s Men. At the end, Woodward and Bernstein make light that their big Watergate story would be wrapping fish the next day. That’s not to say that the effort is pointless, just that it is not going to solve all your problems, making everything as right as rain overnight. Expectations in line with reality will help you keep going through the discouraging parts.
Now that you understand the process, here is a general sample to get you started.
Editor’s Name
Newspaper Name
Editor’s Address
Date
Dear Editor,
I’m writing in response to the recent article, “[Article Title],” and I’d like to share my perspective on the issue it raised. [Briefly state your position here.] This topic deserves closer attention because [summarize your concern or reason for writing, briefly capturing why it matters now].
My connection to this issue is [explain any personal or professional ties to the subject here]. Understanding why this matters to me and others, and why it should concern the public, is essential. [In the following sentences, add relevant details, including facts, statistics, or examples that support your argument].
This brings us to the question: What should happen next? [Describe the action you believe is necessary or the outcome you hope to see.] Highlighting the stakes and making clear the consequences of action—or inaction—will underscore why it’s critical for readers and community leaders to engage.
In conclusion, [reiterate your main point and call to action here]. For those who want to make a difference, [offer any specific ways readers can get involved or help].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Organization, if applicable]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
Following these best practices, and with a little luck you too can start moving the wheels of change in your direction. If it seems hard at first, remember you will get better with practice. The hard part is believing your voice matters (it does) and having the courage to step into the ring. When you are clear on those issues, the rest is just learning how to get the job done. You still have a right to free speech. Why not use it?
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About
Diogenes in Exile began after I returned to grad school to pursue a Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree at the University of Tennessee. What I encountered, however, was a program deeply entrenched in Critical Theories ideology. During my time there, I experienced significant resistance, particularly for my Buddhist practice, which was labeled as invalidating to other identities. After careful reflection, I chose to leave the program, believing the curriculum being taught would ultimately harm clients and lead to unethical practices in the field.
Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to investigating, writing, and speaking out about the troubling direction of psychology, higher education, and other institutions that seem to have lost their way. When I’m not working on these issues, you’ll find me in the garden, creating art, walking my dog, or guiding my kids toward adulthood.
You can also find my work at Minding the Campus
Nice essay!