A letter to editor is a short communication in the form of a personal viewpoint submitted to a newspaper, magazine or other regularly published publication. Readers submit letters to the editor to share their interpretation of an event, news story or editorial or in response to a previously published letter to the editor or opinion piece (op-ed).
Letters to the editor are often critical of events, people, or policies. They may also praise community efforts, programs or organizations. They serve the purpose of swaying public opinion and informing the general public on issues, policies and larger societal concerns. They may also serve as a tool to raise awareness of the work or mission of a community organization or nonprofit and attract volunteers.
In order to increase your chances of having your letter published, you should keep it concise. Sticking to the publication’s word count limit is crucial. In addition, you should always include your name and contact information at the end of your letter. Publications seldom publish anonymous letters to the editor, and they typically call or email writers to verify their identities prior to printing their letters. Writers should also try to avoid using sarcasm, profanity or other offensive language. Lastly, the letter should be clearly written and easy to read. This will help the editors and readers alike to quickly comprehend the letter’s message.