Big Picture

• Letters to the editor are one of the most-read sections of the papers. This is an effective strategy when we get the letters printed and very helpful.
• Do not submit the same letter by different people, even to different papers.
• Including a member of Congress’ name in the letter, respectfully, gets their attention.

Tips and guidelines

• Stay general, don’t bring up wonky specifics about the program.
• Focus on one important point (don’t try to address separate issues in one letter).
• Respect word limits and stay well under them. (typically, 200 word max).
• Try to tie the letter to something published in the paper recently or something local, if possible, to increase chances of being published.
• Open and close with key message points.
• Be sure to mention the key request to Congress. Maximize your chance of being published by removing every non-essential word. For example, don’t say, “I think…” It’s obvious. This also minimizes the chance of editors changing the letter.
• Remove every non-essential word. For example, don’t say, “I think…” It’s obvious. This also reduces the chance of editors changing your letter.

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Don’t exaggerate your case.
• Avoid personal insults.
• Avoid jargon, acronyms and technical language. (“Eschew obfuscation”)