How to Write a Letter to the Editor

Submitting a letter to the editor is an effective way to comment about issues you care about that the press is covering, and to present yourself as an expert on those issues. Surveys of newspaper readers show that the letters to the editor page is among the most closely read parts of the paper. Policy-makers also use it as a barometer of public opinion.

A letter to the editor responds to a news article, editorial or op-ed that has already appeared in the newspaper. An effective letter to the editor provides new information, a correction, or a perspective different from that of the original article. Here are some tips for writing a letter to the editor:

• Take a Position – Take a stand either in favor of or in opposition to a position expressed by the editorial or article that prompted it, or offer a new perspective or information that was not included in the article. Use your research or your organization’s talking points to back up your position.
• Be Specific – Focus on a specific issue that the article or opinion piece raised. You risk diluting the letter’s overall impact if you address more than one issue.
• Be Brief – Keep your letter to one or two paragraphs. If you find that you have a lot more to say, consider submitting an op-ed article to the paper. (For more information, see the tip sheet, “How to Write and Place an Op-Ed” in the “Resources” section at RWJFLeaders.org.
• Cite the Original Article – In the first or second sentence of your letter, mention the title and date of the article your letter is responding to: e.g., “Dear Editor: Your recent coverage of the issue of the uninsured (“Health Care in America,” June 13, 2012) was a thoughtful piece....”
• An Opportunity to Say Thank You – If the coverage is particularly good, you could open your letter by thanking or congratulating the reporter or newspaper for their work.
• Edit and Try Again – Write and edit your letter carefully. If the letter isn’t published, consider submitting it to the comment thread at the end of the original piece in the online edition. In some cases, comment threads attract more readers than the letters column.

For more communications resources, visit the “Resources” section at RWJFLeaders.org.