| Writing an Opinion Piece
or Letter to the Editor
Writing an opinion piece/editorial or a letter to the editor of
a newspaper or magazine is an excellent way to get your message
across to other people who live in your community, and to spark
a vigorous debate on important AIDS issues.
- Call the publication for submission guidelines — follow them.
Do not go over the maximum word count or ignore the rules given.
- Read other letters/editorials that have already been published
in the specific publication you're writing to, so that you can
get an idea of what style of writing is more likely to get published.
- Never assume your readers already know about the issue you are
writing about.
- Write your piece as objectively and rationally as possible.
As a grassroots advocate, feel free to speak from personal experience,
once you have established the major points in your letter. Feel
free to talk about your volunteer work. Again, looking at what
has already been published will give you a good idea of what types
of letters the publication will use.
- Never take cheap shots at those who disagree with your point
of view. You should, however, feel free to refute other opinions.
- Use creative and vigorous language to get your point across.
- Type your letter, if at all possible. Check for grammar and
spelling. Editors see many letters each day. They will be much
more likely to read and use, if it is clear, concise and legible.
- Have someone else read your piece for clarity and grammar. Remember
that even professional writers have editors and proofreaders to
review their work — you should, too.
- Send your letter certified mail, return receipt requested. This
is an inexpensive way to make certain your letter is properly
received and forwarded to the appropriate person.
- If the subject you're writing about is time sensitive, or if
the deadline for submission will be missed if you mail the letter,
remember that you can often fax a letter to the appropriate person.
- Call soon after sending your submission, to see if it will run.
- Don't stop writing letters/editorials if they are rejected.
Regardless of whether they are printed, letters alert publishers
about what issues the public is interested in. And you never know
when they'll finally use something you've written. Keep writing!
- Feel free to send a copy of your letters to appropriate legislators.
Let them know what you're thinking!
© 2003 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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