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How to Write a Letter to the Editor
Writing a letter to a newspaper editor is much like writing one to a politician. As with all let- ters, remember to be brief, direct, and polite. If you are commenting on a particular article that a newspaper published, be sure to note the headline of the article in quotation marks and the date that it ran. Begin with a simple, polite greeting, then im- mediately draw attention to the issue you are concerned with by using an informative and catchy first sentence. Next, emphasize your point and elaborate - that’s why you’re writing to the editor! It’s important to you. How does
it affect you personally as a citizen, and the community at large? Add relevant informa- tion and evidence, then state your opinion clearly on what should be done. Finally, sign the letter and send it along! News outfits are less likely to publish anon- ymous letters, but they do not publish the private contact information of letter writers. Note that individual newspapers may have their own requirements based on size. For ex- ample, the Boston Globe requests that letters are under 200 words and submitted digitally.
Example Letter to the Editor
Dear <editor>, Your article <title>, published on <date>, has an important impact on our community. <Issue> affects the Chelsea community because <reason>. I personally have seen the impact because of this when <personal experience>. This is evidenced by <data/anecdot- al evidence>. Therefore, I strongly feel that <action> should be taken, and that <publication> has a responsibility to its readers to convey this information. Thank you, <your name> <your contact information>
I wanted to raise the voice of a lot of the people that I knew growing up, and this was, for the most part, poor people who had extraordinary dreams but also very amazing obstacles. Edwidge Danticat Edwidge Danticat is a Haitian-American novelist and short story writer. Her first novel, Breath, Eyes, Memory, was published in 1994 and went on to become an Oprah’s Book Club selection. Danticat has since written or edited several books and has been the recipient of many awards and honors.
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement How to Write Letter to Editor | 35
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