TIPS FOR WRITING AN EFFECTIVE LTE

STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR POINT OF VIEW

If there is a hot-button issue on everybody’s mind, it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle. So before you put pen to paper, figure out precisely what makes YOUR perspective worth reading. 

Are you a volunteer with a relevant organization? Do you have personal experience with the topic you’re discussing? Is this an issue you’ve studied? That gives you credibility on the subject matter, and it makes for a more interesting piece to read.

STEP 2: DON’T BURY THE LEDE

Word limits on LTEs are typically 200-300 words, depending on the publication. And this word limit can sneak up on you quickly. That’s why it’s important to start strong by finding a hook and getting right to the point. It is generally a good idea to write an LTE in conjunction with an existing piece in that publication, and to focus on that as the impetus for writing in the first place.

“I commend the Gotham Gazette’s article on January 1 about the benefits of ranked-choice voting…”

“On January 1, the Gotham Gazette ran an editorial opposing ranked-choice voting…”

STEP 3: PUT MEAT ON THE BONES

Once you set a foundation for your credibility and angle, write 5 to 7 sentences of supporting details. This is where specific talking points and/or pieces of data analysis can come in handy. It’s also a good idea to cite quotes from the piece you reference in the opening paragraph to support your argument.

“In his op-ed, John Smith said that he supports ranked-choice voting because it promotes candidates who are able to build a broad coalition of support. I couldn’t agree more. [Cite specific examples of this].”

STEP 4: MAKE A CALL TO ACTION

You’ve got a beginning and a middle, now it’s time to end with a bang. This typically means asking your readers to support you or your organization’s position on the topic you just wrote about. The more specific, the better.

If there is a City Council vote approaching, ask the readers to contact their elected officials. If there is a petition campaign that is being launched, ask them to sign it. You’ve done all this work to make your case to the public, it’s only fair that you ultimately ask people to take the next step.

STEP 5: SUBMIT!

We strongly recommend selecting papers that you yourself are familiar with. It’s unlikely that the Roanoke Times will publish a letter from someone in Norfolk, for example. Any publications with a niche audience are great choices because it will allow you to tailor your letter to a very specific constituency.

Every paper has a way to submit online. Some papers have web forms you can fill out and some will require you to email them your draft. We recommend searching online to find how the paper of your choice directs their readers to submit letters. We are also able to point you in the right direction, if need be.