How To Write a Letter to the Editor

1. Read

• Peruse your college, local or national newspaper. Find a national park-related article that resonates with you. You should feel inspired or provoked by the content.
• Find the paper’s Letter to the Editor guidelines online, and then grab your pen or laptop.

2. Write

• Start with your personal details: name, address, phone number & email address.

• Keep your salutation simple: “Dear Editor.”

• Be succinct, focused and fact-based with your content. (Need some help? Email advocate@npca.org and we’ll put you in touch with an issue expert.)

• Refer to the original article within the first sentence or two and establish your position clearly.

• Share your personal attachment to the issue. How/why does this issue relate to you or impact you?

• Drop names if a specific company, board, legislator or agency is relevant to the situation.

• Include a “call to action.” Propose a solution and offer ways the readers can get involved.

• End your letter strongly. Leave no doubt as to your position on the issue.

3. Review

• Look back over your LTE and cut any extraneous words.

• Keep your sentences active and your tone respectful and appropriate.

• Remove all jargon, acronyms, confusing policy talk or slang.

• Ensure your LTE expresses a sense of urgency.

4. Submit

• Send in your LTE using the method preferred by the newspaper (email, online intake form or — rarely — snail mail).

LTE Example

Click on the image to see an annotated example of a letter to the editor. 

5. Next Steps

• Read the paper regularly and keep an eye out for your published LTE. (Note: The paper may edit your letter for length or clarity.)

• Spread the word. Share your published LTE with your network, and don’t forget to tag NPCA.

• If your letter doesn’t get published, try again and don’t be discouraged. The more articles that are submitted about a particular topic or that contribute to a robust public dialogue, the more likely an editor will pick one to reflect public opinion.