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Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor are a public way to share your opinion with your elected officials. They can also help inform the newspaper’s readership of your opinion and can initiate or contribute debate on public policy.

Every letter may not be published, but newspaper editors pay attention to well-written letters, especially if there are many on the same subject. Below are guidelines for writing a letter to the editor.

Read submission guidelines

  • Learn what the newspaper’s submission guidelines are and follow them.
  • Be brief and keep your message simple. A general rule is 200-250 words maximum, but check your newspaper’s submission guidelines. Limit yourself to 3 paragraphs, with 1-3 short sentences per paragraph.
  • Include your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number.
  • If you have had a letter published recently, wait a month or so before submitting another. In the meantime, encourage your friends to submit letters.
  • Letters can usually be sent via email or postal mail. However, email is often preferred for timeliness. Send your letter in the body of the email. Do not send it as an attachment.
  • If your letter is printed, send a short email to the editorial editor thanking he or she for publishing your letter.
  • Share your letter using social networking tools, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Be brief and clear

  • Stick to one message. State this message clearly in the first sentence.
  • Clearly state your “ask.” Types of asks include asking your legislator to vote in a certain way and asking readers to call their legislators
  • Use spell check and have someone else review your letter before it is submitted.

Be relevant and accurate

  • Back up your position with facts.
  • Explain why the issue is important.
  • Try responding to an article or another letter to the editor. Don’t attack the author. Instead, offer your opinion in a way that encourages debate on the issue. Reference the original article by date and headline.

Be unique

  • Make it relevant to your community. When possible, use local statistics and personal stories.
  • Larger newspapers receive many letters to the editor each week, and can only select a small number for publication. To help yours be selected, offer a unique point of view or add depth to a current discussion.

Additional Resources

Influence Editorials: Conduct an Editorial Board Meeting (Community Catalyst)
About that First Tweet: A Practical Guide to Social Media for Charities & Social Enterprises

Land Trusts, Trail Groups, Local Governments, and Other Landowners Get New Liability Protection

October 25, 2018

On October 24, 2018, Governor Wolf signed Act 98 into law. Act 98 amends the Pennsylvania Recreation Use of Land and Water Act (RULWA) to better protect from liability those who open their properties to the public for recreation without charge. Improvements to the law include: Explicitly listing paths, paved and unpaved trails, fishing and […]

Governor Signs HB 2468

June 25, 2018

Governor Wolf quietly signed HB 2468 (and several other bills) into law on Sunday, June 24. The bill is now Act 45 of 2018. A correction to the previous PALTA communication: Act 45 should apply retroactively to McCormick Farm, so, hopefully, the Cumberland Valley School District will cease its pursuit of the farm. The district […]

HB 2468 Is on Governor’s Desk

June 25, 2018

Friday evening, after the Senate passed HB 2468 (37-12), the House voted to concur (177-15) with the Senate’s changes to the bill. The governor is expected to sign the bill. This is a thrilling victory for conservation! This landmark, bipartisan legislation provides a crucial safeguard for conservation easements from the unnecessary exercise of eminent domain […]

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