[homeles_ot-l] How to submit an effective Letter to the Editor

[Linda O'Neil]

To list serve members,

In response to previous requests, here are some ideas on:

How to submit an effective Letter to the Editor

1.      In response to a request from the Alliance to End Homelessness

 

>From time to time, the Alliance to End Homelessness submits a Letter to the Editor on a homelessness issue. 

To raise public awareness of the issue, the Alliance may also request Alliance members to submit their own letter on the issue. 

*       In this situation, the Alliance's original letter should not simply be forwarded or changed slightly and signed by your agency representative (as is often done with petitions or letters to politicians). A specific new Letter to the Editor needs to be sent by each organization.  

*       While editors are happy to receive several letters on the same subject (particularly in response to a previously-published article or breaking story), each organization needs to present its own opinion or perspective on the issue to be considered for publication. 

An example:

The Alliance submits a Letter to the Editor on its concern about a new City policy that will affect the homeless population. Alliance members are asked to also submit letters on the issue from their own perspective. Here are a few ideas different agencies might emphasize:

*       Agency A - how the policy will affect its clients or a specific population. 

*       Agency B - how the policy will affect its budget, funding or ability to continue to function. 

*       Agency C - how the policy will affect a particular neighborhood and its residents.

*       Agency D - how the policy will affect a specific service offered by the agency.

 

2.      Tips on writing effective Letters to the Editor*

Letters to the Editor can be effective in influencing public opinion and decision makers' views. The Letters to the Editor section is one of the most widely read parts of most newspapers, offering a chance to reach a broad audience. These letters can provide readers with information and insights on issues with which they may be unfamiliar, and can also inspire readers to take action.

*       Keep it brief - Keep letters to 250-300 words or less. Discuss only one issue in a letter. Many newspapers will edit letters. Keeping the letter short will help ensure that the newspaper does not edit out important points. 

*       Get to the point - Start with a compelling introductory sentence. Follow the introduction with short, clear factual points. Don't make broad statements you can't back up with facts. Focus on what is most important rather than trying to address every aspect of the issue. 

*       Relate it to home - Newspaper readers care about how an issue will impact them or their families locally. Including brief information on the economic or other impacts of an issue in the community will draw readers' interest. 

*       Personalize the issue - Provide an example of how the issue impacts a real person in the community to help readers understand the issue and encourage them to take action. Avoid submitting "form" letters. 

*       End with a call to action - Ask readers to follow-up, such as joining in calling on policymakers to address the issue. 

*       Be timely - Try to place letters when they will be most effective. For example, letters supporting or opposing legislation will have the most impact when legislators are considering the issue. 

*       Be professional - Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten and should follow the submission rules of the particular newspaper. Language should be polite but persuasive. 

*       Identify yourself - Sign the letter personally. Include any information highlighting your expertise on the issue. Provide contact information, including an address and daytime phone number so the newspaper can verify the letter's authenticity. 

* The above tips are courtesy of the U.S. National Education Association.

 

You might also want to look at two great local resources produced by DAWN Ontario: 

Media Kit http://dawn.thot.net/media.html  

Advocacy Tool Kit and Legislative Workshop http://dawn.thot.net/advocacy_toolkit.html 

 

Prepared by:

Linda O'Neil, Chair, Public Affairs Working Group, Alliance to End Homelessness

For more information, please contact Linda at loneil at cmhaottawa.ca

Or Lynne Browne, the ATEH Coordinator, at lbrowne at ysb.on.ca  

 

 

Linda O'Neil

Chair, Public Affairs Working Group

Alliance to End Homelessness


Public Education Consultant
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa Branch
Tel: (613) 737-7791 ext 135 

Email: loneil at cmhaottawa.ca <mailto:loneil at cmhaottawa.ca> 

 

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