how to write letter, a guidance for students

notes

1. LETTERS TO EDITORLETTERS TO EDITOR
Grammar in Writing

2. How to write a letter to the editor
If you have something you want people to hear, you might like to write a
letter to the editor.
Letters to the editor are written by people in the community to comment on
issues mentioned in newspapers and online articles.
Though there is no guaranteed way to get your letter published there are
some tips you can use that will increase your chances.
It is also worth finding out more about what is in your state or territory and
where you can send your letter when it is done.

3. Guidelines
•Read the letters to the editor section of your newspaper-
of-choice.
 
If you can capture the style of the published
letters, you'll increase your chances of finding your
opinion in print.
•Do your research.
 
Find out where you need to send your
letter and how you need to send it (fax, e-mail, or snail
mail).
•Start your letter with:
 
Dear Editor, quote the article that
you are writing in response to, and the date it was
published.
•Be up front with your comments
 about the article
. Are
you supporting the article, or wanting to set the record
straight?

4. Guidelines
•Keep it short. 
Most newspapers prefer letters to be kept
under 200 words. So, focus on one or two of the most
important points rather than trying to express all your
ideas.
•End with Sincerely, your name. 
You might want to include
a line underneath that explains who you are or your
hometown, e.g. Connie Jones, Bachelor’s Degree Student.
Newspapers try to show a range of points of view, so
being young can work to your advantage!
•Once you’ve poured your heart out onto paper (or
screen), walk away and come back in a different frame of
mind to edit. Make sure that what you’ve said is easy to
follow, to-the-point, well backed up with facts, and uses
formal language. Get a friend or family member to read
your letter and see if they get what you meant.

5. Guidelines
•Spell-check your letter 
and make sure it is double-spaced.
Your letter will need to meet the particular newspaper’s
formatting guidelines. These are usually shown on the
letters to the editor page.
•The guidelines might ask for your personal and contact
details. 
This is because they may contact you to check
that you, and not someone pretending to be you, wrote
the letter. If you don't want your name published, tell the
editor by adding a note before or after the letter itself.
E.g. P.S. I would like to remain anonymous so please don’t
publish my name.
•Post, fax or e-mail your letter to the address listed by the
newspaper.

6. Where should I send letters to
the editor?
If you are responding to a local newspaper, you will have to
get the editor’s address from the newspaper itself – this
information will be located on the page where the letters
to the editor are printed.
Also, many newspapers and media outlets have websites
where you can comment on articles directly or submit
your opinions online.

7. SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITORSAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor
I am writing to express my concern that hours may be cut at our branch libraries. As a cost-cutting measure, the City is
recommending that the library close all branches on Mondays.
I am a staff member at the XYZ Branch, and I work weekday afternoons. Each day, as school closes, dozens of students
file into the library to do homework, use the library’s 13 computers, or socialise in a safe place. Many of these
children would otherwise go home to empty houses, and the library is the
 one place that provides a secure,
supervised alternative to being home alone.
Our library has put several after-school programmes in place to give students who are not doing homework something
constructive to do; and other library customers have told us that they are surprised and delighted that the young
people are so well-behaved. Teachers have called to say that some of their struggling students’ work has improved
since spending afternoons at the library. Parents have told us they are grateful for the library’s welcome to their
children. Closing on Mondays will be a
 major disruption for these children, and I’m certain there are other ways to
save money without risking their safety and the productive use of their afternoons.
I urge your readers to contact their City Council representatives and urge them to vote to keep libraries open! Contact
information is on the library’s website at www.
 
(provide a web address) .
Sincerely,
 
Your name and address. (Your address will not be published.)

8. THE ENDTHE END