Letters to the Editor

Writing Letters to the Editor

Elected officials carefully monitor newspapers, and other forms of public information sharing to gauge local opinion.  By mentioning your Parliamentarians, State Assembly representatives or Local Council by name and stating the specific action you would like them to take, you can guarantee that your letter will catch the attention of your elected representatives.

Keep it short

Try to keep your letter between 100-200 words or less and focus on a single issue.  Start by stating your main point and why the issue is important to you (what impact does it have on the local community).  Provide facts, quotes and numbers next and then wrap up by restating the point and make your recommendation.

Respond to a news story

Open with a specific reference to a recent news story, editorial or previous letter.  Aim to respond before 1pm on the day of an issue arising (aiming for publication the following day).  Try to react to articles or letters in the paper, but sometimes letters to the editor can generate some discussion/debate in the letters page, so don’t rule out that possibility.

Make a local connection

Your letter will be of more interest to editors of your local paper if you highlight the local impact of a national or foreign policy issue.

Demonstrate your reach

If you know that your opinion also represents that of others, be sure to mention it. 

Consider your options

Most letters can be sent to many newspapers, but letters editors are not likely to publish a letter if they know it has been sent to lots of newspapers, so use the blind carbon copy (bcc) option.  Don’t forget suburban or neighborhood publications, specialized local magazines, ethnic press/media, religious publications (including newsletters) and university media.

Practicalities

Check your spelling, write in the body of the email (not an attachment), if you are responding to an article/letter, make sure to mention it in your letter  (‘I would like to correct the figures in Susie Smith’s letter of March 26’).  You may want to cc or bcc your local Member or others and make sure to include your name and best daytime contact details if the editors want to check some information.

The Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee gratefully acknowledges the Friends National Committee on Legislation Write Letters to the Editor upon which this Australian version is based.