Elected officials tend to be very sensitive to public opinion, and the “Letters to the Editor” section of the newspaper provides an excellent forum for publicizing a representative’s position or actions in support or opposition of an important issue. It also allows you to directly encourage other members of your community to take action on an issue. Many of the tips listed previously apply equally to letters to the editor but there are other points to keep in mind:Address Your Letter Properly
Be sure to include your name, address and daytime phone number. Many editors like to call and confirm that a letter they plan to publish was actually written by the person whose name is attached.

Reference a Previous Article
If your letter responds to a specific article or statement reported in an article, reference the title and date of the article in your first sentence.

Make Your Point Immediately
Your most important point or message should be expressed in your first paragraph. If you are writing as part of an organized campaign, be sure the campaign message is contained early in the letter.

Be Brief
Your letter should be between 100 and 300 words long. The shorter it is, the greater the chance it will be printed. Call your local paper for specific guidelines.

Time Your Letter Appropriately
If you are responding to a previously published article or editorial, try to submit your letter within a week of the story’s appearance. If you are writing in reference to specific legislative action, try to time your letter so it can be printed within a few days of an expected vote.

Avoid Threats or Personal Attacks
Using threats or personal attacks are not effective ways to generate understanding and support. Such tactics often distract from a more important message.

Follow Up With the Editor
After submitting your letter, contact the editorial page editor to make sure they received the letter, and to ask directly if and when they plan to print it.

Don’t Be Disappointed
Newspapers simply cannot publish all the letters they receive. Many are also reluctant to print letters from a single writer over and over. If you have recently had a letter published and feel that another issue or article needs to be addressed, try to get a friend to write one.