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Writing a letter to the editor
Tips
- Be precise: your message has more impact when it's limited to only one or two points.
- Be concise: short letters are more likely to be published than long ones. Most newspapers limit letters to 250 words or less, and the less editing they have to do to make your letter fit their requirements, the more likely it is to be published.
- Be timely: if you are responding to a specific article, opinion piece, or current news item, your response should be sent within one to two days.
- Be smart: if you're responding to something specific, say so. But don't waste your 250 words restating the original position—make quick reference and move on to your points.
- Be polite: you may think that a certain public figure is the scum of the earth, but saying so in such a direct way almost guarantees that your letter won't be published.
- Be accurate and logical: use and attribute facts that back up your assertions. Need help finding facts? Read through our Issues section, visit the Planned Parenthood of Indiana website and Resource Center, or Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
- Be witty: a well written letter has a better chance for publication than a poorly written rant.
- Be diligent: don't just rely on your computer's spellcheck. Proofread the letter yourself, or get a friend to do so.
- Be concrete: include your name, address and a phone number at which you can be contacted during business hours. Editors won't print your personal information, but they also won't often publish a letter without verification of its authorship.
- Be optimistic: don't be too disappointed if your letter doesn't get published. Remember, the average paper prints less than ten letters on any given day in comparison to the hundreds they receive. Keep writing and submitting your letters!
Papers
Below, we've linked to as many email addresses and web form addresses as we could find for newspapers across Indiana. If you're submitting via email, write “letter to editor” in your subject line, and make sure to include your full name, address and a daytime phone number so that you can be contacted about your letter. Your address and phone number will not be published.
If you know of any other community or school paper which accepts letters to the editor via web form or email, please let us know and we'll add them to this list.
Campus papers
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