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Publications > Youth voices > Aotearoa Youth Voices toolkit > Action guide 5
Action guide 5: Writing a letter to the editor
Do you feel strongly about a current issue and want to have your say? If so, then writing a letter to the editor is one way that you can make your opinions heard.
A good letter is usually no more than 200 words, and is addressed to
the editor of a newspaper or magazine. It should be about an issue that
is current in the news or something that people are talking about.
Almost every newspaper or magazine has a letters section where people
can write in sharing their views.
While there are no guarantees, a letter that is well written, current
and interesting is more likely to get published. Letters that are
too long or hard to read may not be printed, or may be shortened to fit
in the space allowed, so make sure that you try to keep to the point.
Where do I start?
If there is a current issue that you feel strongly about which has been
in the news, or that lots of other people have been talking about, this
is the best place to start.
If you’re not sure where to begin, look at the Letters to the Editor
section in your local paper or a magazine (could be a daily newspaper or a youth magazine like Tearaway). This can help you get ideas, and
will also usually give their rules for accepting letters. Also have a
look at the articles in the paper. Is there anything there that
you feel strongly about?
Have a think about the following questions:
- what issues are the articles talking about?
- are there lots of articles on a certain issue?
- what are people saying about this issue?
- what is your opinion about the issue - do you have a different view to what others are saying?
Being a young person, you can already offer a different view because
most articles about young people will be written by adults.
For example, if there is an article or a letter written by someone else
that you disagree with, then start writing! It is always best to write
your letter as soon as possible and send it in while the issue is still
fresh in everyone’s minds.
Planning your letter to the editor
Check out the Letters to the Editor section in your paper or magazine. Think about:
- how are these letters written?
- what issues are they talking about?
- do I agree/disagree/feel strongly about any of these issues?
This will help you get an idea of the kind of letters that are being published and what issues are current.
When you know the issue you want to focus on, go through your local
paper or magazine and copy or cut out all the articles you can find on
it to give background for your letter.
Remember to take note of the name of the paper or magazine you found the articles in and the date they were printed.
Writing up your letter
You need to mention what article you are responding to and the date it
was published, so readers and the editor know what you are writing
about. If you are writing about a letter someone else has written,
mention the date it was printed, the issue it talked about and the name
of the person who wrote it.
Focus on one main point and give them the facts.
Keep it brief. Write in short paragraphs, with no more than three sentences per paragraph. A good rule is one idea per sentence.
Write your name and full address at the bottom of your letter. They
won’t print your full address but this is needed in case they need to
follow up with you.
It is always good to have someone else check your spelling and grammar. It’s amazing what a fresh pair of eyes can pick up!
Example:
Dear Editor
I was disappointed to read your article on 10 May “Young people don’t
care”. I am tired of reading stories labelling all young people as
uncaring, lazy or selfish, when this is just not true! As a young
person, I play tennis and netball, help out at as a mentor for my
fellow students and do volunteer work in my community. I also care
about my family, friends and I am passionate about issues that affect New Zealand. It is not that young people don’t care what’s
happening, it is that adults don’t ask or don’t want to listen to what
young people have to say!
Joanne Bloggs
123 Alphabet St (remember they won’t print your street address just your town)
Your Town/City
Check list before sending it
Before you post, fax or email your letter, check one more time that you have:
- read it through to check spelling and grammar
- given it to someone else to proofread
- kept it short – under 200 words
- included your name and contact details
- covered your main points.
Sending off your letter
You can post, fax or email your letter, which needs to be addressed to The Editor.
Newspapers and magazines usually put all their contact details in the
same place/page of every issue. If you can’t find the contact details,
look in the phone book.
Check the paper or magazine to see if your letter is printed. If it
still hasn’t been printed after two weeks, contact the editorial
department to see what happened.
Even if your letter doesn’t get published, don’t give up! If
there’s other issues you feel strongly about, then keep writing!
Copyright Ministry of Youth Development 2006
This action guide is one of a series of guides in the Ministry of Youth Development's
Aotearoa Youth Voices tool kit.
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