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Home > No Child Left Behind > Letters to the Editor
Tips on How to Write and Submit a Letter to the Editor
Contributing to the news is a crucial means of affecting public policy and getting traction on an issue. Writing a letter to the editor is a simple and effective way to get a message to both the public and policy makers. Below are tips on writing letters to the editor. Click here for two samples. Also visit our media tips page for more information.
Local community leaders and elected officials keep a close eye on media coverage to take the 'pulse' on issues of importance to their constituents. So having a strong letter to the editor published both reaches a wide public audience and your elected officials.
Even if your letter is not published, it is important for educating and persuading editors. The more letters they receive on a given topic, the more likely they are to dedicate more time in their newspaper to that issue—both on the editorial page and in news articles. It clearly expresses the issue’s importance to the community.
Writing your Letter to the Editor (LTE):
- Respond to an article in the paper. Many papers require that LTEs reference an article that ran in the paper. Any story that references NCLB can provide that link. Some papers do occasionally print LTEs noting a lack of coverage. To increase the chances of seeing your letter run in the paper, it is best to write in response to an article in the paper. You might, for example, write in response to an article or opinion piece about cuts to local arts education programs.
- Follow the newspaper's submission instructions. Information on how and where to submit a LTE are usually found on the letters page of a given paper. Sometimes, you will find content-oriented guidelines for LTEs. Follow these guidelines whenever possible. If you can’t find the information you need, simply call the paper and ask how to go about submitting a letter.
- Keep your letter short, focused, and if possible, personal. In general, letters should be under 200 words. If you letter is longer than 200 words, it will likely be edited or discarded. (Again, consult the paper's submission instructions for guidance.) Stay focused on one (or, at the most, two) main points and get to that main point in the first two sentences. If possible, include interesting facts, relevant personal experience, and any local connections to the issue.
- Keep the language simple. Newspapers are designed to be accessible to those with basic reading skills and little or no prior knowledge of the subject matter. Avoid using long sentences, pretentious language or jargon.
- Be timely. Submit your letter as quickly as possible—within two or three days at most.
- If you are trying to educate a specific legislator, refer to the legislator by name. If the letter includes a legislator’s name, in almost all cases staff will give him or her the letter to read personally.
- Write the letter in your own words. Editors want letters in their papers to be original and from a reader. Avoid following templates.
- Include your contact information. Be sure to include your name, address, and daytime phone number; the paper will likely contact you before printing your letter.
- Clip out your printed letter and send it to your legislator with a brief cover note. This way you can be certain that he or she sees it.
#4 Get on local TV and radio to spotlight arts education in your community
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