How to write a letter to a politician or to the editor of a newspaper

I — Writing Letters to Politicians

• Remember that letters matter to politicians.
• Politicians take letters more seriously than other forms of communication from constituents.
• Some politicians feel as few as four or five letters indicates a groundswell of support for an issue.
• Politicians think a letter from one person indicates many more voters feels the same way.
• Personal letters, typed or written, count for far more than form letters or petitions.

Key Points for Writing Politicians

1. Be respectful. There’s little to be gained from abuse. Use proper titles.
2. Say something about yourself. Tell them why you’re interested in the issue and what you know about it. Tell them if you’re a constituent. Keep this part short.
3. Be concise. Keep your letter as short as you reasonably can.
4. Stick to the point. Aim for one topic per letter.
5. Write the right person. Is your issue federal, provincial or municipal? Make sure you’ve got the right elected official.
6. Address it properly. Make sure you send your letter to the right address.
7. Request specific action. “Please allow more time for consultation on the Third Way” is better than “your health care ideas stink!”
8. Describe the public interest. Explain why your proposal will benefit the public as a whole, not just you and your friends.
9. Explain the politician’s interest. If possible, explain why your proposal will benefit the politician to whom you are writing.
10. Get your facts straight. Try to ensure the facts you include are correct — but stick by your right to have and express an opinion even if you’re not an “expert.”
11. Express yourself naturally. Remember, you’re expressing what’s on your mind. Write like you speak!
12. Seek a reply. You might end like this: “I look forward to receiving your response.”
13. Be timely. Write while the issue is current, not after the vote has been held.
14. Write legibly. If you’re handwriting, make sure your letter is legible.
15. Send copies. Writing the Premier, make sure the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the NDP and Alberta Alliance get copies. Send copies to the relevant critics, as well the minister.
16. Don’t be a pest. You’re not a pen pal. Don’t write a letter about every issue.

Places to find politicians’ addresses

Alberta

310-0000 (toll-free government information line)

310-4455 (toll-free health care comment line)

www.gov.ab.ca

www.assembly.ab.ca

Canada

1-800-O-CANADA (toll-free government information line)

www.canada.gc.ca

www.parl.gc.ca

II — Writing Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor are different from letters to politicians, though some of the same rules apply.

We write letters to the editor to inform and influence the public, mobilize our supporters and apply pressure to decision makers, especially elected politicians.

Editors run letters because readers enjoy and expect them, readers expect letters from writers with a variety of opinions, and because letters provide a useful service to the community.

Remember, when you write a letter to the editor, you’re competing for the attention of that editor — sometimes with dozens, or even hundreds of people writing on the same subject. Just for starters, unless you are a world-renowned expert on the topic, or have an obvious personal stake, you’ll have to keep it short or you won’t make the cut.

Remember too that virtually all newspapers insist on the right to edit your letter for length, clarity, grammar and offensive or defamatory language. If you play by their rules, you’re more likely to be able to say what you want in your own words.

Most newspapers have email, fax and postal address information in their pages or on their websites.

Key Points for Writing Letters to the Editor

1. Keep them very short. Letters to the editor should be under 100 words if possible, rarely more than 200.
2. Keep your sentences short. This is what newspapers expect. If your sentences are long and complex, break them in two.
3. Write like you speak. Use colloquial language. Don’t try to sound like someone you’re not.
4. Spell check. Your audience is made up of professional writers and editors. Typos and misspellings hurt your chances of publication.
5. Re-read your work. Several times if you have time. Then spell-check it again.
6. Be timely. Old story? They won’t run the letter.
7. Send before noon. By early afternoon, the editors have usually selected the day’s letters. Nowadays, tomorrow is too late.
8. One paper at a time. Don’t send the same letter, word for word, to two or more newspapers — especially in the same community. Write two or more letters.
9. No form letters. Editors don’t like to receive identical letters from different readers. Do your own version.
10. E-mail or fax it. Snail-mail is too slow for daily newspapers.
11. Stick to your point. Be ruthless about this. One topic, key issues only.
12. Don’t get angry. Even when you’re angry, wit, sarcasm, humour, and cold rational analysis are all more effective than anger.
13. Find a ‘hook.’ If you can, tie your letter to a story in the previous edition of the newspaper.
14. Then find an “angle.’ Did a politician tell a lie? Did a reporter get a fact wrong? Do you agree with a columnist’s opinion? If so, say so and tie your letter to this point.
15. Look for helpful connections to another story. Recent immigrants can’t get health care in New York State (New York Times, March 3, 2006), compare that to Canada’s superior system.
16. Write a good email subject line. Indicate it’s a letter, then complete the subject line with something that sounds like a headline. Remember, you’re fighting for attention.
17. Don’t get discouraged. If at first you don’t succeed, keep writing.

Click here to read a sample letter about the Third Way