We are witnessing one shocking thing or the other every day, which is enough to cause nightmares. Whether in and around our locality or relates to more significant issues of your country or the world, sometimes these stories need some voice.
Generally, editors belong to popular newspapers. They are people with greater access and connections. Thus, as a commoner, it is safe and worthy to send letters to news editors so they can publish your concerns to a larger audience. So, here are the 9 tips for fetching a perfect letter to the editor whom you think is worthy of addressing your concern to a larger audience.
- Begin with a salutation note
Suppose you cleared a nursing course. But some hospitals are stalling the recruitment of thousands of students because they possess inadequate knowledge of writing nursing resumes. You can open a forum to address all critical challenges in dealing with nursing resumes for new grads. As you start to the editor, you can either address him by name or by writing ” To the editor of the Hawkins Post” or more simply, “To the editor.”
A salutation does not imply long notes and appreciation for the editor but little signs of respect. However, these days, editorial letters do not carry extra salutation expressions. Instead, they mean to carry the simple redressal mechanism. Thus, always begin your letter to the editor with a small salutation note.
- Draw your reader’s attention
The matter that concerns you may be the concern of many. So, the primary purpose of writing editorial letters is to draw your reader’s attention. People might not know about the budget’s critical areas your government missed addressing. Or massive corruption is going on in the admission process of some colleges.
Or developers covered your roadside pond illegally to build a multi-storied building. All these should reflect on the community you live in. It is your responsibility to make things approachable to people at large. Always devoid of your piece of added salutations and unnecessary introductions. Instead, cut through the issue directly to the reader. It is the only way you can retain the flair of your writing successively.
- Explain the main theme at the beginning
Always start with the central theme. Sometimes, editorials are written by eminent columnists or notable personalities. In such cases, the newspaper has little choice but to allow the person a separate space in his daily. It means the matter is of grave concern. Sometimes, industry insiders or researchers go in-depth to debunk some fake news circulated on social media. They are counted as a response or reactionary letters to editors. Explain the theme in the first few lines of the letter, and then elaborate on your opinions.
- Detail the importance of the issue
The letter writer needs to prove the importance of the theme to the reader. Editors of popular daily’s receive thousands of letters each day. It is almost impossible for them to judge the importance of one issue over the other.
They have a team of selectors and writers who choose the best fit for tomorrow’s publication and which is not. So, after explaining the main theme, describe why your topic must be considered over a thousand others. Nowadays, online dailies are becoming vastly popular across the world. So, you can address the issue in your blog and send it over to multiple online news portals for a speedy reach.
- Prove your points with evidence
Letters to editors lose their value if it doesn’t include the evidence, you are proving or disproving a point. You can write in favour of something or criticise it outrightly, but all your arguments should be backed by evidence. For example, suppose the court has passed judgement in favour of a decision. But, as a scholar of the subject, you can detect the loopholes in the judgement. At this point, the public owes you researched and investigated letters to editors from you.
- Opine your suggestions
After the evidence, lay down your opinions. Sometimes, the writers fail to understand the difference between the two. It happens due to a lack of research and thorough investigation. They seem to cover the evidence part with eloquent opinions. Opinions are not always bad. For example, you can write a letter to the editor citing your earlier experience in a court case. Your legal acumen may back your position; grossly, it is unrelated to the present case. So, make bold opinions, but not without research and proof.
- Maintain brevity
Except for some rare instances, a letter to the editor will never include long descriptions, paragraphs or introductory notes. If it concerns some immediate incident, make it as brief as possible. If it is in reaction to another letter, finish the argument in the small letter and wait for reactions from the original writer or columnist. As the saying goes, brevity is the soul of the wit, so is true to the writing style of letters to editors. So, always keep it brief and in style.
- Don’t leave without signature
Sign the letter at the end with the date. Without your signature, it will be declared void ab initio. Make sure you write the full name, title (if mentioned), address, email address, and contact number. No newspaper will ever publish a letter from an anonymous writer. However, you can keep your name under your hat under exceptional circumstances.
- Maintain clarity with a pointed argument
Sometimes, newspapers publish letters on less important issues over urgent ones. It means the letter has clarity and a pointed argument either in favour or in opposition of the view. So, if you want to publish your letters without fail, frame clear passages with greater to-the-point arguments.
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