Writing a Letter to the Editor
Writing a letter to your local newspaper is a good way to draw attention to an issue you care about. Here’s how you do it. 

Topical, timely, informative, clear, and concise are the keys to an effective letter to the editor. 

100 – 200 words is an appropriate length for a letter to the editor. Different papers have different limitations, but in most cases less is more when it comes to good letters to the editor. 

Include your full name, home address, email, and telephone number. Newspapers will typically only publish your name and the town your from, but they will sometimes call to confirm the you did indeed write the letter.

Reference an article or editorial in the first sentence or paragraph.  If you are responding to something that has already been published, refer to the title of the article in your letter.

Click here for newspaper contact information for writing Letters to the Editor.