One way to express your opinion publicly is through a letter to the editor in your local newspaper. Editors may not publish every letter, but they do pay attention to these letters, especially well-written letters. In turn, elected officials are also influenced by letters newspapers have chosen for publication.

This guide offers suggestions to prepare an effective letter to the editor that expresses your opinion on an issue. The letter will start with the editor's name and address and the reason why you are writing the letter. Next, tell why your issue or problem is important and praise or criticize what someone else had done or said on the topic.

Tell why a particular action or comment is good or bad and then state your opinion about what should be done. Before signing the letter, make a general recommendation about what should be done, by whom, and when. #2106

Seekins, T., & Fawcett, S.B. (n.d.). A guide to writing letters to the editor: Expressing your opinion to the public effectively. Lawrence, KS: Research and Training Center on Independent Living, University of Kansas.

Keyword: Advocacy