SENDING A LETTER TO THE EDITOR/ BLOG
WHY LETTERS MATTER
Letters serve three important purposes:
1. They show assignment editors that readers, listeners and viewers are interested in a topic. Letters encourage them to continue to report on that topic. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.
2. Letters pages of newspapers and letters segments on TV and radio are popular items. Letters add our angle to the public discussion.
3. When editors receive a bunch of letters on a topic they will run one. So even if your letter is not published, it helps to convince the editor to publish one of them.
HAVE YOU SEEN ARTICLES ABOUT THE ALLIANCE?
Have you seen a news article with a statement about the budget you vehemently reject, or about higher education funding? Write a letter to the editor.
To see just some of the articles and broadcast segments on CFA that have run in the last few weeks to which you may want to respond, please go to the CFA web page “In the News
To learn about even more, please send an email request to CFA Communications Specialist Brian Ferguson
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Keep it short. 50-200 words maximum.
• Stick to one main point.
• When possible reference an actual article that appeared or aired on the topic.
• Express a clear opinion – for/against, right/wrong. Send it right away. After a few days it's too late. The news marches on.
LETTER FORMAT
<date>
<name of newspaper>
<fax or email of newspaper>
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Regarding: <topic, or title/date of article to which you are responding>
Dear Editor,
<TEXT>
Sincerely,
<your name>
<your titles>
<your contact information for the newspaper letters editor>
WHERE TO SEND YOUR LETTER
Click here to find email addresses for your local paper.
Or contact CFA Communications Specialist Brian Ferguson for more.
ONLINE AT <WWW.ALLIANCEFORTHECSU.ORG>