Letters
to the editor are one of the most-read
portions of our newspapers. They're
"instant activism" a way to turn a
passion for your political beliefs, and less
than an hour of your time, into something that
will truly make a difference. Here are some
tips, courtesy of the Women's Vote Center of the
Democratic National Committee.
Getting
Your Letter Published
Most
of us feel strongly about candidates and issues,
but also believe we just don’t have the time
to put those feelings into action. A good letter
to the editor takes about half an hour to write
and send, and are read by thousands of people,
from high level elected and appointed officials
(who take published letters very seriously as an
indication of public opinion), to “just plain
folks” who share your beliefs, and find hope
in your words. Here are some suggestions for
getting your letters published.
1.
Use your real name. Newspapers will not print
anonymous letters, or those from authors they
cannot confirm.
2. Include
your contact information. Always include day and
evening contact information, mailing address,
and e-mail address if possible.
3.
Don’t delay. The earlier you get your letter
to the paper, the better its chances of being
selected. Send your letter 24 to 48 hours after
the item you’re responding to, and e-mail your
letter for fastest delivery.
4.
Keep it relevant. Address issues raised in the
newspaper you’re targeting. When referring to
an article, identify it by its headline and date
it was published.
5.
Keep it short and simple. Keep letters under 250
words, or about four short paragraphs, and
address only one topic per letter. Develop two
or three powerful points, and deliver them in
short, punchy sentences.
6.
Make it original and personal. Use your own
experiences when relevant and appropriate, to
add a personal, human touch.
7.
Use facts and statistics. Emotional rhetoric
alone is not enough to make a case; always
include facts that back up your argument and
educate your readers.
8.
Use caution when you criticize. Criticize the
ideas expressed by others rather then the
individuals themselves, and always offer a
constructive opinion rather than just an attack.
9.
Don’t send letters to the same paper more than
once a month; most papers won’t publish them.
10.
Consider alternative media, especially local
weeklies and monthlies. In addition to writing
letters to your local daily paper, consider
writing to local weeklies, magazines that print
readers’ letters, or specialized publications.
Weeklies and monthlies are especially good,
since many local publications don’t have the
ability to write much of their own content, and
look for submitted material. They also have
loyal, local readers, and are kept and used for
a longer time than are dailies.
11.
E-mail your letter if possible. Letters sent
that way are more likely to be published.
Here
are some newspapers which publish letters to the
editor, and press releases from local Democratic
committees. The e-mail addresses below are for
letters. Check the newspaper, or its website, to
see the correct address for press releases.
Bangor Daily
News, serving
Bangor
and other
communities in Central and Northern Maine:
letters@bangordailynews.net
Bear
Facts, serving Androscoggin
and western
Kennebec
Counties:
editor@bearfactsme.com
Biddeford
Journal Tribune, serving York
County: letters@journaltribune.com
Brunswick
Times Record:
letters@timesrecord.com
Capitol
Weekly, serving the Augusta area:
cwmail@courierpub.com
The
Community Advertiser, serving Winthrop, Monmouth,
Readfield,
Leeds, Wayne, Fayette, Mt.
Vernon, Manchester, and Kents Hill:
ads@comadvertiser.com
Turner
Publications, producing several monthly
newspapers in Kennebec and adjoining counties:
articles@turnerpublishing.net
Kennebec
Journal and Morning Sentinel, serving most of Kennebec County:
letters@centralmaine.com
The
Portland Press Herald, serving central and
southern Maine:
letterstotheeditor@pressherald.com
The
Sun Journal, serving Lewiston,
Auburn, and nearby
communities:
letters@sunjournal.com
The Town Line,
serving eastern Kennebec County:
townline@pivot.net
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