Letters to the editor are often selected based on length, quality, and relevance to current issues in the community. Most newspapers have word count limits for letters to the editor of around 250 words; make sure to check what your newspaper’s guidelines are before you start writing. (Read a sample letter to the editor.)

Tips
When writing your letter, keep the following in mind:

• Make it timely. Monitor the newspaper every day. After you identify a story, editorial or community issue that needs a response, draft and submit your letter as soon as possible.
  
  
• Focus. Develop and support one argument thoroughly. Don’t try to cover several points more generally. By trying to say everything, you may end up saying nothing.
  
  
• Support. Your opinion needs to be supported by compelling facts (preferably ones you can attribute to a particular study). This will give your piece some substance.
  
  
• Speak plainly. Write in plain English, without using too many large words. Use shorter sentences to get your point across in as clear a fashion as possible.
  
  
• Follow the rules. All newspapers have guidelines for letter submissions that generally include a maximum word count, exclusivity rules, and instructions for how to submit the piece. You can often find the rules for submission on the newspaper’s website or on the letters page of the physical paper, but if not, contact the editor directly to determine the publication’s specific rules. No matter how well-written your submission is, if it doesn’t follow the rules it likely will not get printed.
  
  
• Submit and follow-up. Submit your piece, following the newspaper’s instructions for doing so. If it is accepted, congratulate yourself, make copies of the piece when printed and make sure that key individuals and organizations get a copy in case they miss the first printing! Be sure to send a copy to the KaBOOM! Playmaker Network!
  

Checklist
Before you submit an letter, check to make sure:

• You’re under the newspaper’s word limit (usually 200-250 words).
• You have one main argument, not multiple arguments.
• A reader will understand your main point after reading the first paragraph.
• You have included a few carefully chosen facts, statistics and stories.
• You have not used any jargon or acronyms.
• Your letter can be understood by an average adult.
• Your letter contains no spelling or grammatical errors.
• You have included whatever contact information the newspaper requires be submitted with the letter.

Resources:
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