How To Write a Letter to the Editor in 7 Steps

Updated June 28, 2023

Readers commonly write letters to the editor to share their opinion or viewpoint regarding a particular issue with others in their community. These letters can help educate others, share relevant information and shape the public's perception of specific topics. If you're interested in writing a letter to the editor of a publication you read, it may be helpful for you to learn more about the process of doing so.In this article, we explain what a letter to the editor is, including reasons you might send one, and outline a step-by-step guide for writing your own.Related: 14 Tips for Becoming a Better Writer

What is a letter to the editor?

Letters to the editor are short-form, opinion-based articles submitted by readers of publications who are typically members of the general public. Those who write these letters usually address them to the editor of a publication with the goal of starting a larger conversation about a relevant, time-sensitive topic.For instance, readers who submit letters commonly use them as a platform to share their opinion regarding certain events, public figures, programs, policies, or ideologies, and hope to shape others' perspectives or increase awareness regarding particular issues. Writing letters to the editor can be an effective way of promoting a specific viewpoint to a wide audience. Even so, a letter's reach often depends on the size of a publication's readership and its own preconceived notions about a given topic.

Reasons to send a letter to the editor

There are various reasons a reader might choose to send a letter to the editor. Here are a few of those reasons explained:

Suggest an idea: Readers might send a letter to the editor to make a suggestion regarding a community issue. For instance, a letter to the editor may include proposals for new events, programming, initiatives or ways of approaching building neighborly relationships.
Sway public opinion: Those who write letters to the editor frequently do so with the purpose of shaping public opinion regarding a particular topic and sharing their own perspective regarding political issues, community problems and larger societal matters.
Educate others: Letters to the editor may include educational information about specific subjects in which a reader has expertise. With this, a reader may submit a letter intending to instruct others about specialized topics that might interest them.
Address public officials: It's common for letters to the editor to address public officials, such as policy-makers, elected officials or other governmental employees. Readers may speak indirectly or directly to public officials and the matters that they control.
Publicize community opportunities: Those who represent nonprofit organizations or volunteer groups may write letters to the editor to publicize their work. These letters often serve the dual purpose of soliciting the support of others and attracting new volunteer participants.

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How to write a letter to the editor

Writing a letter to the editor can be a challenging task, as it requires you to articulate your ideas in a format easily intelligible to other readers. While the exact steps you might take to write your letter may differ depending on what you plan to address, there are a few specific actions you can take to optimize its structure:

1. Open your letter with a salutation

To begin your letter, open with a salutation that greets the editor of the publication to which you're writing. If you know the editor's name, you can address them directly. If not, you can use a general salutation, such as "Dear editor" or "To the editor."Related: The 4 Main Writing Styles: When and How You Should Use Them

2. Use a leading sentence

Below your salutation, you can start writing the letter's content by crafting a compelling leading sentence. Try to generate a sentence that can capture readers' attention and solicit their interest in the topic you're writing about. A well-written leading sentence can motivate your audience to continue reading.

3. Explain the letter's premise

Following your leading sentence, use the first paragraph of your letter to explain its premise. In your explanation, try to quickly and concisely detail your key point. This can help readers immediately recognize what your letter is about and why they might be interested in reading it.Related: The Writing Process: Over 45 Tips on Writing

4. Address the issue's importance

In your second paragraph and those that follow, address the importance of the issue you're writing about. While the importance of the issue may be clear to you as the writer, it's your role to convince readers to invest themselves in the issue as well. Explain the issue clearly and use a balance of formal and colloquial language that most readers can understand.

5. Use evidence to back up your claims

If you make any claims throughout your discussion, make sure to use evidence from reputable sources to support those claims. This is especially important when offering praise or criticism for specific actions. Offering evidence can help legitimize your point and convince others to join in your perspective.

6. State your final opinion and recommendations

In closing, state your final opinion and make any recommendations you see fit for addressing the issue at the center of your letter. Some simply write letters to share their frustrations, criticize certain actions or offer a differing viewpoint, but others may have ideas they want to propose to solve a particular problem. If this is relevant to your letter, you can close with your suggestions by giving specific, clear-cut recommendations and supporting them with additional evidence.Related: How To End a Letter To Make a Lasting Impression (With Examples)

7. Sign the letter and review it

Publications rarely publish anonymous letters, so it's important that you share your identity. At the end of your letter, sign off by writing your full name and contact information. From here, proofread your letter to ensure it's clearly written, brief and error-free, and submit it to the publication of your choice.