5 Tips for a Persuasive Letter to the Editor (2005)

1. Make sure your letter is short and concise (about 100-250 words).
2. You only need one key message, and a hook to make it relevant to a contemporary issue. 
3. Write no more than three or four short paragraphs. The first paragraph can cite any previous coverage of a story and include your key message (e.g. "recent articles on the state's budget shortfall ignore that the legislature is increasing spending on prisons."). In your second paragraph, introduce something personal and state your side of the argument (e.g. "As a parent with school-aged children, I would rather see my tax dollars go to education than to building new prisons"). The third paragraph should clearly re-iterate your message. Your fourth paragraph needs to be a strong closing.
4. Sign your letter and provide a phone number where you can be contacted. Most papers will not run a letter unless they can call to verify its authenticity. Don't worry, the paper will not print your phone number. 
5. Remember that space is limited on the letters page, and not every letter will be printed. If you write your letter in a hard-hitting, personalized and concise manner, it has a better chance of being run. And keep trying!
   

 We have collected contact information for several Oregon newspapers here.