The letters to the editor section of a newspaper or magazine is an important avenue for citizens to express their views on current events. Letters may take a position for or against an issue, or they may simply inform. They can influence the views of many people in a community, state or nation. Legislators and other policy makers often track the letters to the editor to keep tabs on public sentiment. Letters are often used to draw attention to an issue that is receiving little or no coverage in the news media.
In the past, ‘Letters to the Editor’ (LTEs) were sometimes used to congratulate article authors or make tangential points; however, LTEs are now an integral part of every journal that seeks to establish a solid reputation for scientific propriety and excellence. LTEs serve to highlight salient points, provide alternative perspectives, or raise constructive concerns about a published article.
Letters to the editor are a great way to spread information about an event or project that your group is involved with. They can be a cost effective and time efficient way to get the word out to the general public, especially when compared to sending out a press release.
A well written letter can be as effective as a news story in bringing an issue to the attention of the public. Generally, editors want letters that are original and that are from someone living in the publication’s circulation area. In order to ensure your letter is printed, it should be written in a few short paragraphs. The first sentence should tell the reader what your letter is about and why it is important.