Tips for Writing a Letter to the Editor

Issue Brief April 18, 2011 Read time:

Projects: Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming

Be brief: Keep the letter short and to the point. A good rule is to keep them under 200 words. Be sure to check any specific requirements for the newspaper where you are submitting your letter.
Include contact information: Many papers will not print letters if contact information is not included.
Be timely: Respond to a piece that has been printed in a timely manner -- within a week if possible.
Read: Read other examples of letters that have been published to give you an idea of length and style.
Be creative: New viewpoints and ideas are more likely to be printed than repeating what has already been said on a topic.
Be factual: Use current and correct facts and statistics. However, don't overload reader with too many. Use the most important one/s available.
Be on point: Try to stay focused on one main idea or thought.

Below are emails and links to forms where you can submit your letter to the editor for newspapers across the country. If your local paper is not listed check the opinion section of their paper or Web site.

Boston Globe: [email protected] or by Online Submission Form: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340

New York Times: [email protected]

Washington Post: [email protected]

Los Angeles Times: [email protected] or by Online Submission Form: http://www.latimes.com/la-op-email-form,0,5759779.customform

Chicago Tribune: [email protected]

Miami Herald: [email protected]

San Francisco Chronicle: Online Submission Form: http://www.sfgate.com/submissions/#1

Des Moines Register: [email protected] or by Online Submission Form: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/viewint/article/99999999/HELP/40507010

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: [email protected]

Dallas Morning News: Online Submission Form: http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/send-a-letter/

Philadelphia Inquirer: [email protected]

The Plain Dealer: Online Submission Form: http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/letter-to-editor/