Writing Letters to the Editor

Writing letters to the editor is an easy and fun way to make a difference on issues you care about. Below are the ABCD's of writing a letter to the editor. To find your information on how to contact your local paper, please visit their website or click here for contact information for North Carolina's largest papers.

ABCD's of Writing a Letter to the Editor

Attention to:

• After you have written your letter, simply cut and paste it in an email. Most newspapers will not open attachments as they main contain viruses, which could shut down their entire operating system.
• Always put your name and day-time telephone number on the letter you send in. Some newspapers will not print a letter that is anonymous, and some need to ask your permission before they run your letter.

• Keep it short and to the point, if you can make your point in two brief paragraphs, then there is no need to write more.
• Try to keep your letter to only one central point; do not jump around to many different issues (unless the point of your letter is to connect the issues for the public).

• When writing your letter, try to make references to news articles or other editorials that have appeared in the newspaper. Editors like letters which refer to other articles in their newspapers because it shows that readership takes an active interest in their publications.
• Find a catchy statement in order to draw in readers.
• Do not use vocabulary that only people in your field would understand. Try to keep your letter on an 8th grade reading level.
• Close with a short restatement of your position.
• Use facts, figures and expert testimony whenever possible.
• Don't be rude or abusive, and don’t personally attack anyone in your letter.
• Find your issue's local connection. For example, point out your legislator's position or that there are local citizens working on this issue.
• If you are targeting a legislator/company/group in your letter, you may want to send a copy of your letter, particularly if it is printed, to the person or agency you are writing about.

• If your letter does not get printed the first time (or the first few times), do not give up. Newspapers get numerous letters a day, depending on where you live and the size of the newspaper. Keep trying. You can even re-send a letter you sent before, just make sure you make it relevant to a more-recent issue.

For more information on writing letters to the editor, please contact Peter Walz at peter[at]ncconservationnetwork.org.