Writing letters to the editor can be made into an art. Here comes some advise on the
matter. This advice is based on my own experience and the book" Public Health
Advocacy" by Simon Chapman and Deborah Lupton.
Think about it
when sending a "letter to the editor"
Although letters to the editor do not carry the implied weight of authority and expertise
that editorials or opinion pieces do, they are one of the most read sections of newspapers,
especially in quality newspapers where competition to get a letter published often results
in a high standard of writing.
Most papers employ staff who do nothing else but receive, read, select, edit and verify
the incoming letters. Most letters page editors will select one or two longer letters to
publish as lead letters on the top of the page. Smaller letters will constitute the rest of the
page.
Most editors have the view that the letter page is for "ordinary citizens", those who do
not have other vehicles like organizations and parties to promote their opinions. In many
papers it can therefore be worthwhile to argue your organization, but sign the letter as a
private citizen.
Opposed to this is the thought that You probably have a bigger impact if you represent
a big organization. If you think that is the case contact such an organization, become a
member and find out who else is working on the mine issue. Then you might write a
letter to an editor in this organizations name and increase both your chances of being
taken seriously and as representing a larger number of people.
If You want to make an attempt to get your letter into the most prestigeous papers (and
You should) it is a good first step to try to find out what the policy of the paper is
reagrding incoming letters. Some print this in small print on the letter page, but others
You might have to call and ask in what form, and length they would like to have the
letter.
Think about it
when sending an article
Many of the rules for a letter to the editor apply for submiting an article to a newspaper or
a magazine. The sample article in this Kit is written mainly for student magazines. Based
on the serious and informative articles at the end of this kit You may write your own
articles to opinion or cronicle coloumns in bigger newspapers.
Student magazines and newspapers the are usually very happy to have your contributions
and willingly print it. Faculty- and university magazines is also good places to let the
issue have a wide distribution among academics. Call the editor and ask in what form
they want the article and inform him/her that Your student group are very engaged in the
issue.
National Medical Journals have letter and commentary coloumns. Call them and tell about
your intent to write about the humanitariam landmine crisis. In these Journals You have
to be very fact orientated and give a good reference list at the end of the article. Focus at
the medical side, and come with opinions at the end. Inform about actions and the
medical student angagement in the matter.
It is usually nearly impossible to get a freelance article into a newspaper, unless you
have an extremely good story and photos. Opinion pages that many papers print opposite
their editorial is however a possible place to attempt writing about your issue. Also here
You need to call the responsible person in the paper to discuss your idea. Be prepared
and tell him/her what you want to do and what opinion you intent to take. Find out how
long they want the article to be. Be cautious about keeping any deadlines you might be
given. If the paper do not seem interested because you are just a small, imbesile medical
student you may try to have your famous daddy or a professor sign the article.
How to improve Your chances:
- Be concise. Not too long sentences, and go right to the point.
- Stick to one angle or issue, as this will help shorten the letter.
- Timing is important. Try to connect your letter and its delivery to an action You
have taken or to some desicions that is going to be taken. In short, try to seize the
opportunities.
- Don't aim only at the big papers. Smaller papers will usually print your letter more
easily. Publishing in many of these might have a bigge effect than one letter i a big
paper.
- Keep in mind that You have to get past the editor of the letter page before You get to
the reades. Check previous issues of the newspaper to see the preferences this person has
to styles and genres of writing. Ironic? Polemical? Collocuial or formal? Literary?
Preference for wit or metaphorical language?
- Do not assume readers are aware of the issue You write about. If you have to use
unusual words or jargon explain it.
- Use personal experience or special skills to enhance your credibility. In our case,
"Beeing a medical student studying to relieve suffering and heal disease I strongly
support a ban on anti-personnel mines".
- Try to find a local angle. Draw paralells between a place with many mine injuries
and your home town or your own country. Refer to Your own or others actions on the
case or local Members of Parliaments opinions about the issue. Try to find out your
governments position on landmines. You can do this in several ways:
1.Phone to the bureaucrat handling the mine issue in your ministry of Foreign
affairs or ministry of
defence and tell who you are and frankly what You want to know.
2. Connect to
other organization working with the landmine issue and ask them. Probably they have
already been in touch with governments and know about its position.
- Try to be literate. Even if the matter is serious, there is no need to be totally dull and
formal. Comparisons and metaphors and some emotions, especially at the end of the
letter will make it better.
- If You find the time it might help if You deliver the letter to the editor yourself,
explaining
its importance.
- Enclose an illustration if you have. Make sure it is not copyrighted or get a
permission to use it and inform about this in Your accompanying letter.
The Accompanying letter
When You send a "Letter to the editor" or article it is wise to send it with a short accompanying letter, explaining in one or two sentences why Your text is actual, relevant, interesting and important. Below is an example of such a letter.
Organization letter heading... (if You
prefer)
Your own name,
address
Phone nr.
Date:......
Name of letter column
(in Example: "Letters" or "Public opinion"
Address of Newspaper
Dear editor of the "..." column,
Thank You for a well edited and relevant letter column. I hereby
allow myself to send a letter I hope You will find consider for printing in Your column "...". The landmine issue is going to be debated in the parliament next week.
or
The Norwegian government recently decided not to support a total
ban on anti-personnel mines. I am very concerned that this
decision will make the humanitarian crisis caused by landmines
worsen in the coming years. Please consider the enclosed article for the coloumn "..."
Yours sincerely,
Signature
Your name
Annex: "Ban Landmines"
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