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Issues & Action
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Issues and Action
Writing an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor
How to write an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor:
- Plan your message. Choose just one. Don't try to pack too much in. If you have a different take or a unique perspective on an issue, it is more likely to be published.
- Choose your target. If you are trying to move public opinion, look for the paper with the largest circulation. If you want to reach a particular legislator, choose his hometown paper or one you know that he reads.
- Read the paper(s). Find out what kind of issues and writing styles are likely to be published.
- Contact the paper and find out their policies. You want to know about:
- How to submit - email, FAX, regular mail
- Timing - when you can submit, how long it takes to be published
- Length limitations
- Do they only take exclusive submissions - The Hartford Courant will not accept your article if you are also sending it to other papers.
- Any other rules - For example, do they allow you to use pseudonyms for people in the story, do they allow more than one person to sign.
- Keep it as short as possible. When they say 750 words, they mean it. The most common reason that articles are not published is because they are too long.
- Be clear. Big words and lots of statistics do not score more points, they just lose the reader.
- Be direct. Don't use sarcasm or hypothetical questions. Don't make them guess what your point is.
- Real life stories engage readers and can often make a point in far fewer words than a page of statistics.
- Choose words carefully. Do not offend. No personal attacks. Do nothing that detracts the reader from your point.
- Use humor, as long as it is appropriate.
- Explain your stake in the issue up front. If you are a neighbor arguing against a development, say so.
- It can be effective if you bring up your opponents' case and prove it wrong. If you can't, don't include it.
- Offer readers action steps, if possible.
- Include your name, address, a phone number where you can be reached, any organizational affiliation, and a one-sentence description of that organization. You definitely do not have to be writing on behalf of an organization to get published.
- Put it aside for a few days or a week.
- Triple-check your facts.
- Ask a friend to read it over for errors, and to be sure it is understandable and engaging.
- Next, send it to the paper(s)—in they way that they asked to receive it.
- Call or email to be sure that they got it—that the right person got it. If there is a timing issue to publication, e.g. an upcoming vote, let them know.
- Call back in a few days if you haven't heard anything. They should call you to confirm that you really wrote the piece before they publish it. You may have to call back a few times before you get an answer. Be persistent.
- They may want you to make some changes or they may make the changes and send it to you for approval. Don't take it personally - that's what editors do. And they are usually right.
- Do not get discouraged if they don't print your article. Find out as much as you can about why they didn’t. Consider sending it to another paper.
- Save the clipping of your letter if it does get published. Send it to policymakers in case they didn't see it. Use it in your mailings or as a handout.
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