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Chapter 33. Conducting a Direct Action Campaign >
Section 2. Writing Letters to the Editor >
Writing Letters to the Editor |
Tools & Checklists | Contributed by Jenette Nagy Edited by Jerry Schultz and Bill Berkowitz |
Tools
Tool #1: Letter-writing party
The responsibility of writing a letter to the editor can be shared. One way to do this is to hold a letter-writing party, at which you and your friends or colleagues write a planned series of letters that will be sent to the editor. At the party
- Pick your topic.
- Have each friend write a letter addressing the topic--these are Group #1 letters.
- Have each friend write a draft letter in response to letters from Group #1--these are Group #2 letters. These will be left incomplete so that specific references to Group #1 letters can be filled in.
- Make a few of your letters provocative so that others will respond.
- Get permission from others to sign their names so that one person can handle the campaign.
- Use different types of stationery.
- Send copies to the "signer" as the paper may call him or her.
- Let the "signer" know if the letter is published.
- It may require only 5 or 6 people to develop a huge community response.
- Mail Group #1 letters. Some may be published. Mail Group #2 letters, with specific information related to those published added, in response to them soon after the Group #1 letters are published. This exercise is great for group morale. It can be fun, too.
Checklist
Here you'll find a checklist summarizing the major points contained in the text.
__You know what a letter to the editor is.
__You know why you should write a letter to the editor.
__You know when to write a letter to the editor.
__You understand the pros and cons of using e-mail or fax to send your letter.
__You know how to open the letter.
__You grab the reader's attention.
__You explain what the letter is about at the start.
__You explain why the issue is important.
__You give evidence for any praise or criticism.
__You state your opinion about what should be done.
__You keep it brief.
__You check your letter to make sure it's clear and to the point.
__You know how to get your letter accepted.