Writing Letters to the Editor is an important and impactful way to advocate for issues you care most about – published pieces provide an additional line of communication with decision-makers and help to raise awareness of the issues and encourage the public to take action. With your help, a consistent flow of media hits can keep the drumbeat up on conservation issues and maintain the public pressure needed to bring real change.
What is an LTE?
A letter to the editor (LTE) is a short article written by a reader that is sent to the editor of a news outlet for them to publish/post. The letter is typically a short response to a relatively recent article ran by the publication you’re submitting to, although that is not a requirement. The reader’s response can be written as a comment to the story, to share an opinion, or add any additional information to the article.
Writing tips:
Do your research:
- Read a few previously published LTE’s on the paper’s website before drafting your own.
- Talk about how the specific newspaper you’re writing to has covered this issue. You can even include a link to their past reporting in your LTE.
- Respond to an article in the paper, if possible. The sooner the better.
- Pick ONE point to respond to, and stay on topic.
- If no other article on the issue is available, begin your LTE with why you are writing about this now.
Make a big impression in as few words as possible:
- Personalize it. National publications receive hundreds of letters every week, you want yours to stand out.
- Keep your letter to 150-250 words (the newspaper’s website should tell you their specific limit).
- Newspapers care about what affects the people who buy their newspapers, and they know a form letter when they see one. Speak from the heart about why you care about this issue.
- Localize as much as you can by mentioning a local story, special place, loved one who benefits, etc. Editors won’t like a cut-and-paste.
- Do not repeat your opponent’s arguments or take the myth/fact approach – No need to give the opposition a microphone!
- Volume counts – don’t get discouraged if your first letter isn’t published!
Sample LTE Format:
Use as much or as little of this as you like–just make sure your LTE feels right to you.
- [Include something personal about why this issue matters to you.]
- [Consider including a link to how this newspaper has covered this issue.]
- A brief summary of what the intended audience (the newspaper, the community, elected officials, regulators, etc) should do about this issue.
Submission tips:
- Include your contact information: Full name, address, phone number, email in the body of an email but not in the LTE itself. The paper will probably follow up with you to confirm the author.
- Following up with the newspaper and asking if they received your letter can increase the chances of it getting printed!
- It’s ok to submit your LTE to more than one paper – but consider submitting them in the order of your preference for publication. Sometimes, a paper won’t run an LTE if it has already been run in another publication, although it’s not as strict for LTE’s as it is for OpEds.
Where to submit your letter:
Many publications do not accept/print LTEs, but here are some with wide readership. Don’t see your local newspaper? Feel free to inquire about whether they print LTEs, or let us know and we can help find submission information.
Oregonian (Portland, OR)
Submit to: letters@oregonian.com
Guidelines: Letters are limited to 250 words.
Eugene Weekly (Eugene, OR)
Submit to: letters@eugeneweekly.com
Guidelines: Letters are limited to 250 words, preferably 200. Must include your address and phone number or valid contact information for author verification.
Bend Bulletin (Bend, OR)
Submit to: letters@bendbulletin.com
Guidelines: Letters are limited to 250 words.
