Letters To The Editor
Letter Writing Tips
When done right, an op-ed is persuasive writing at its best. It has the power to appeal on a real level with peers in your community, and is therefore a worthwhile yet simple way to fight for Democratic issues.
Here are some tips for writing an op-ed piece:
- Track the news and jump at opportunities. Timing is essential. Authors are most successful when they track the news and discuss issues that are relevant, pressing and significant in their community..
- Try to limit the article to 250 words. Shorter is even better. Newspapers have limited space to offer, and editors generally won't take the time to cut a long article down to sizeÑso make sure yours is already short and to the point for them.
- Concisely make a single point. You cannot solve all of the world's problems in 250 words. Be satisfied with making a single point clearly and persuasively.
- State your main point early. You have no more than 10 seconds to hook a busy reader, and so get to the point and convince the reader that it's worth his or her valuable time to continue.
- Tell readers why they should care. Put yourself in the place of the busy person looking at your article. At the end of every few paragraphs, ask out loud: "So what? Who cares?" Make sure that your piece answers these questions.
- Offer specific recommendations. An op-ed is not a news story that simply describes a situation; it is your opinion about how to improve matters. Don't be satisfied with mere analysisÑoffer recommendations, and try to be original yet maintain practicality.
- Showing is better than discussing. You may remember the Pentagon's overpriced toilet seat that became a symbol of profligate federal spending. You probably don't recall the total Pentagon budget for that year. That's because we remember colorful details better than dry facts. When writing an op-ed article, therefore, look for great examples that will bring your argument to life.
- Use short sentences and paragraphs. Use a style that relies mainly on simple declarative sentences. Cut long paragraphs into two or more shorter ones.
- Don't be afraid of the personal voice. When it comes to op-eds, it's good to use the personal voice whenever possible. If you are a physician, describe the troubles of one of your patients. If you've volunteered throughout the community, tell stories to help argue your point.
- Avoid jargon. If a technical detail is not essential to your argument, don't use it. When in doubt, leave it out. Simple language doesn't mean simple thinking; it means you are being considerate of readers who lack your expertise and are sitting half-awake at their breakfast table.
- Avoid tedious rebuttals. If you've written your article in response to an earlier piece that made your blood boil, avoid the temptation to prepare a point-by-point rebuttal. It makes you look petty. It's likely that readers didn't see the earlier article and, if they did, they've probably forgotten it. So, just take a deep breath, mention the earlier article once and argue your own case.
- Make your ending a winner. You're probably familiar with the importance of a strong opening paragraph, or "lead," that hooks readers. But when writing for the op-ed page, it's also important to summarize your argument in a strong final paragraph.
- Relax and have fun. Defending the political issues you believe in is something you can get passionate about and have fun with. Say what you want to sayÑand know that other Democrats will not only agree with you, but they will be thankful that you wrote it.
Letters to the Editor Contact List
Kenosha (Bob Wirch race) Kenosha News Fax: 262-657- 5800 7th Ave Kenosha, WI 43140 Racine (Bob Wirch race) Journal Times Fax: (262) 631-1780 212 4th St Racine, WI 53403 Milwaukee (8th Senate District and Wirch race) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Fax: (414) 224-2699 333 W State St Milwaukee, WI 53203 LaCrosse (32nd Senate District) La Crosse Tribune Fax: (608) 782-9723 401 N 3rd St La Crosse, WI 54601-3281 Green Bay (Hansen race) Green Bay Press Gazette Fax: 920-431-8379 Email: Forum@greenbaypressgazette.com 435 E. Walnut St Green Bay, WI 54305 Marinette (Hansen race) Eagle Herald Fax: (715) 735-0229 Email: news@eagleherald.com P.O. Box 77 Marinette, WI 54143-0077 River FallsJournal 2815 Prairie Drive PO Box 25 River Falls, WI 54022 Fax 715-425-5666 Menomonie Dunn County News Fax: (715) 235-0936 Email: Barb.Lyon@lee.net 710 Main St. - PO Box 40 Menomonie, WI 54751 Hudson Star-Observer 226 Locust Street Hudson, WI 54016 New Richmond/Rivers Falls/Hudson/Pierce (10th Senate District) New Richmond News Fax: 715-425-5666 2815 Prairie Drive PO Box 25 River Falls, WI 54022