Letter Writing Tips

Letters to the editor are a fast and effective way to communicate with thousands of people at a time. The letters page is one of the most read sections of a newspaper, and it is one of the most valued because the opinions there are those of real people in the community.

Letters to the editor can be used to:

	Explain how Mayor Hahn is addressing the issues that are important to you.
	Set the record straight.
	Respond to the newspaper editorials.
	Get the word out about things Mayor Hahn is doing that aren’t getting covered by the media.

Letters should be clear and to the point. Keep your letter brief – about 250 words. The most effective letters:

	Are written so that everyone can understand them (avoid jargon and technical terms).
	Are accurate.
	Draw from your personal experiences. If you’re writing about healthcare and you’re a doctor, say so! If you’re writing about crime and you’ve seen your street improve, tell people about it!
	Link what you’re writing about with the readers/neighborhoods the newspaper covers. If you’re writing about traffic in a Valley newspaper, talk about the 405, not about the 110.

Don’t be discouraged if your letter isn’t published. Try another newspaper and write letters on different subjects. And don’t just write to the larger newspapers. Community newspapers offer the opportunity to target your letter to a more specific audience.