Table of Contents >
   Part I. Organizing for Effective Advocacy
(Chapters 3... >
      Chapter 33. Conducting a Direct Action Campaign >
         Section 2. Writing Letters to the Editor >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Writing Letters to the Editor

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Jenette Nagy Edited by Jerry Schultz and Bill Berkowitz

Tools
Checklist

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

  1. Pick your topic.
  2. Have each friend write a letter addressing the topic--these are Group #1 letters.
  3. 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.
  4. Make a few of your letters provocative so that others will respond.
  5. Get permission from others to sign their names so that one person can handle the campaign.
  6. Use different types of stationery.
  7. Send copies to the "signer" as the paper may call him or her.
  8. Let the "signer" know if the letter is published.
  9. It may require only 5 or 6 people to develop a huge community response.
  10. 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.


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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.


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