Writing a Letter to the Editor
How to Get Your Letters Published in Newspapers & Magazines
May 5, 2008
Would you love to have your opinions printed in a daily newspaper or a magazine? The "letters to the editor" sections of major publications allow everyday people an opportunity to be join the public conversation about important issues.
Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to get a letter printed in a newspaper or magazine, especially a popular one. Publications can be flooded with hundreds or thousands of letters, so if you want yours printed, it has to stand out.
Here are some strategies to help you get your letter to the editor in print.
Be Timely
Most letters to the editor comment upon popular, current issues that people are reading and talking about-- so you'll have a better chance of getting in print if you write about one of these issues. Unfortunately, these are the issues that will attract a huge volume of mail, so there's more competition. Here are some ways to get your timely letter accepted:
- Get the letter into the publication as quickly as possible. Use email, and send the email as soon as you can after a story breaks.
- Write about a popular issue that isn't the most popular issue. If the top story is a faux pau made by a major candidate, but there's also an important story about the economy, write about the economy. There will be less competition, but the publication will still be looking for letters about this topic.
- Write about popular issues in unique ways. If you're writing about Britney Spears, your letter that says, "Leave the poor girl alone!" won't get published because there are dozens of other letters just like yours. However, if you write a piece of insightful social commentary that relates media coverage of Britney Spears to some kind of social issue, your unique approach might get noticed.
- Write about how a timely issue impacts you directly. Humanizing a story is a great way to get the attention of readers, and editors know this.
- Consider responding to a commentary or article that was printed in the paper recently.
Write Well
Editors are busy people, and they're looking to find ways to fill the paper that reduce their work load. Poorly written letters that require lots of editing do not reduce their workload, so they're not going to publish them. And if there are dozens of letters on a particular subject, the editor will probably delete letters automatically if they are poorly written. Be sure to proofread very carefully.
Write Short
When writing a letter, short is almost always better. Editors may look for short letters to fill an extra chunk of space left over by some longer letters. Always edit your letters careful and remove wording that isn't necessary.
Write Controversial-- But Don't Attack
Do not be afraid to address controversial issues or take controversial positions in a letter. Often, the editorial page allows for a wider range of ideas and opinions than the regular news. Be warned, though: controversial letters invite controversial responses, and may also encourage angry readers to try to contact you directly.
On the other hand, avoid ad hominem attacks that call into question a person's character instead of an issue. Although some newspapers do publish this kind of rhetoric (especially college newspapers), traditional publications tend to shy away from the kind of arguments you'd typically see on talk radio or cable news.
Write Funny
Everyone loves laughing about issues, which is why editorial cartoons are so popular. If you can write a truly funny letter that serves the same function as an editorial cartoon, you just might get published. A quick chuckle will get the reader's attention-- and the editor's.
Seeing your name and letter in a major publication feels great, and it's a wonderful way to participate in democratic debates. It can be difficult to get a letter published, but keep trying, and you'll be thrilled with the results.
