For those who want to write effective “Letters to the Editor” of a newspaper, please follow the suggestions listed below. They actually came from an email from The Washington Post but I think the rules apply to all newspapers.

1. Letters should be fewer than 200 words and exclusive to The Washington Post.

2. The letter may not have been submitted to or published by any other
media or Internet outlet. This includes comments or feedback posted to Web
sites. If you have posted similar comments to a Web site, your letter will
not be considered.

3. The letter must include the writer’s full name, home address, e-mail
address, and home, business and cellular telephone numbers. Anonymous
letters will not be considered, nor does The Post permit the use of
pseudonyms.

4. Letters must disclose the writer’s involvement, affiliations or
relationship with the subject matter of the letter.

5. All letters are subject to abridgment.

6. Do not send attachments; they will not be read.

7. We prefer letters that cite an article or item that has appeared in
the print edition of The Post within the past three weeks; we do not
publish letters that respond to Web site-only articles or items.

8. To make your e-mailed letter as easy for us to read as possible, do
not send any graphics or digital letterhead, put the text of your letter in
the body of the e-mail, and remember to cite the article or item you are
writing about in the body or subject line.

Again, thank you for sending us your letter.

Sincerely,
The Letters Editor

TAGS: Washington Post