Letters to the Editor that Get Attention
*Excerpted from Indivisible.org
Letters to the editor are a classic way to grab your Member of Congress’s (MoC) attention. But there’s something about a sharp letter to the editor in a local paper that can really ruffle even the most powerful lawmaker.
Why Your MoC Cares About Letters to the Editor
The humble Letter to the Editor has remained influential in politics even as social media platforms have come and gone. Here are a few reasons why.
You MoC will likely see your letter in the morning “clips.” Every morning, Members of Congress and their staff start their day by reading “the clips,” an email with links to all the stories that mention the MoC by name. In most offices, these include Letters to the Editor, and a letter about an MoC will definitely be noticed and discussed.
Newspaper editors see your letter, and your MoC cares about what they think. Editorial boards are important local institutions for your MoC. They interview and endorse candidates during campaign season, and their opinions carry a lot of weight throughout the year.
How to Submit Your Letter
Find your local newspaper's Letters to the Editor submission email on their website.
Be sure to check that you are adhering to your newspaper's word limit, which can be as low as 150-200 words.
Write your letter! See more below for our tips on making it compelling.
Paste your letter into the body of your email.
Note that many newspapers require letter writers to submit contact information, although phone numbers will not be published. This is part of a verification process to confirm your identity.
Submit to smaller local papers, not just the biggest city paper nearby. You will have a better shot at getting published. Plus, it boosts that feeling that the entire district is paying attention!
What makes a good letter? The basics.
Focus on one topic. If you have two, write a second letter.
Follow the word count limits. If your letter is too long, write a second one.
Be clear and concise—you only have about 200 words or less to share your point.
Be yourself. You don’t need to sound like an academic or policy expert. Remember, you’re a smart, passionate constituent who’s paying attention—someone other constituents might identify with—and that’s the most powerful thing you can be.
What should go into a letter to the editor?
You're already coming up with many ideas for letters to the editor as part of the other Indivisible work you do. You will notice that many effective letters to the editor are similar to the call scripts Indivisible National shares: a few points, a relevant statistic, and a personal note. Using a call script is a great way to find inspiration! Here are some other things you can reuse:
· Shared a story at an empty chair town hall? Turn it into a letter to the editor!
Wrote a postcard at a postcard party? Turn it into a letter to the editor!
Wrote a thank you note on a poster? Turn it into a letter to the editor!
Wrote a message to your MoC on Facebook? Turn it into a letter to the editor!
Here are some ways to really get under your Member of Congress’s skin:
Many who have worked for a Member of Congress recall a time when a Letter to the Editor really annoyed their boss, and they wouldn’t let it go. Here are some ways to write that letter!
1. Question their “brand.”
Go to the “Biography” page of your MoC’s website to see how they describe themselves. Then play on that.
“Congresswoman Sara prides herself on being an independent voice that’s above the fray in Washington. But so far this year, she’s been a rubber stamp across the board…”
“Congresswoman Sara ran for office as a fiscally responsible conservative. That’s why it’s ironic that she’s considering voting for this bill, which ___.”
2. Know their record.
Search around on the “issue” pages of your MoC’s website to learn what they’ve said in the past on an issue.
“Congresswoman Sara has said that she would only vote for a bill that did ___. This bill does the exact opposite: it ___.”
“When Congresswoman Sara was running for office, she pledged to ____. Unfortunately, it appears that she will likely fall in line with her party and vote to ____. “
3. Call them out of touch with the district.
“Does Congresswoman Sara think that (residents) are all ____? What she doesn't seem to realize is that we are also __. Her decision to ____ was extremely out-of-touch.”
“Congresswoman Sara must be behind the times if she thinks people from ___ are still going to let their Representative in Congress say that ___ …”
4. Show them you have a long memory.
Talk about an issue that’s not in the headlines to show your MoC you’re still paying attention.
“This Fourth of July, I am still shocked remembering Congresswoman Sara’s un-American comments on the Muslim ban, and I’m disappointed she has never apologized.”
“Congress may not be in session, but families around the state are still holding their breath to see what will happen with ____ bill.”
5. Put your letter in local terms… and put your MoC on the spot.
My family has always gone to ____ Hospital. I’m really worried about what might happen to it under the new bill Congresswoman Sara is considering.”
“With this spring’s flooding, (Town) is already feeling the effects of extreme weather. It’s amazing that Congresswoman Sara still raises any doubts about the science behind climate change.”
6. Expanding connections.
Many papers have frequent letter-writers who are very liberal or very conservative. These writers can be easy to dismiss. So emphasize how you’re different.
“While I may not always agree with Congresswoman Sara, I have always admired her dedication to being accessible to constituents across the district. That’s why I’m so disappointed that___.
“I’ve supported candidates from both parties in the past. But Congresswoman Sara has really lost my respect with her steady shift towards ___.”
How about saying “thank you” to your MoC?
To write a memorable letter praising your MoC, try these same tricks, but in reverse.
You will brighten an MoC’s day and help them stay motivated if you thank them, reinforce their brand, speak knowledgeably about their record, or praise them for being tuned into their district.
What if a letter isn't printed?
If your letter didn't get printed, do not worry! It's not personal. Newspapers only publish a few letters at a time and often receive hundreds of submissions. They might have chosen other topics today, but they could still print your letter next week. Your letter may have helped draw attention to others’ letters, even if it wasn't published. When editors see many letters on a certain topic, they’re often more likely to publish at least one on that subject.
In the meantime, post your letter's content on social media, tagging your MoC and local newspapers.
Ultimately, letters to the editor are a long-term effort. Keep trying, and don’t give up on all the local and statewide papers. Your voice on these pages’ matters.
For more information visit:
Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style, a great writer’s guide