Write a Letter to the Editor
Letters to the Editor are a crucial part of our grassroots organizing efforts. They allow us to elevate crucial Democratic issues and promote the important work Democrats are doing, in a way that can be seen and circulated throughout hard-to-reach parts of the state.
Interested in writing an LTE? Join our LTE team! Sign up here!
Email NHDP Communications Associate Marissa Hebert for more information or if you have any questions!
1: Choose a Topic
What will you write about?
Your letter should be as focused as possible. Choose one issue, and one angle to attack that issue with, and stick to it. Letters are much more effective when they focus on a single issue rather than a laundry list of ideas or concerns.
- You can write about a specific policy or issue you care about
- You can highlight the work Democrats in your town, at the state level, and in Congress are doing for Granite Staters
- You can write a letter informing readers about how Republicans like Donald Trump and Chris Sununu have broken promises to Granite Staters
- You can write to support a candidate running for office in our state
Write a letter about issues that motivate YOU – they will be more effective.
2: Have A Goal
Think about what you want to achieve from this letter: Is it a call to action? Is it a persuasive letter? Do you want to explain an issue?
At the end of your letter, the reader should be convinced to vote for and support Democrats/Democratic policies, or have a reaffirmed commitment to voting for and supporting Democrats/Democratic policies!
3: Use Specifics
Don’t be afraid to quote specific numbers and key facts about your topic.
- LTEs shouldn’t be lengthy, policy positions. But, you should always use facts and specifics to inform your argument, and make sure they’re accurate! If you ever have trouble looking up facts, please feel free to email gmacpherson@nhdp.org.
- Avoid obscure words and try to break down complex ideas to simple ones. If your letter is difficult to understand it is less likely to be published.
4: Use Local & Personal Stories
Using local or personal stories can make your writing more interesting than simple repetition of numbers and studies.
- Use your personal story to push forward the letter
- Insert your personality into the letter
- Explain from a local angle why a national news story is important to your community
5: 250-300 Word Limit
A few quick notes on how should your letter be formatted:
- Keep it brief – shorter letters (250-300 words) are more likely to be published and read
- Have an interesting first line to hook readers in
- You can highlight powerful lines by making them their own paragraph
- Maintain a consistent writing style throughout
6: Check For Mistakes
Before you publish:
- Read your letter out loud to edit any grammatical or syntactical errors
- Have others edit your letter, but don’t let them change your voice
- Don’t second guess yourself! Write that letter, and submit it!
