LETTER TO EDITOR

What is a letter to the editor?

You feel strongly about an issue, and you want to let people know what you think. You believe you can even influence people to take some action if you speak your mind. But, you want to reach an audience larger than just your friends or your group membership. Letters to the editor can be an effective way to get the word out.

A letter to the editor is a written way of talking to a newspaper, magazine, or other regularly printed publication. Letters to the editor are generally found in the first section of the newspaper, or towards the beginning of a magazine, or in the editorial page. They can take a position for or against an issue, or simply inform, or both. They can convince readers by using emotions, or facts, or emotions and facts combined. Letters to the editor are usually short and tight, rarely longer than 300 words.

Using a few carefully placed letters, you can generate plenty of community discussion. You can also keep an issue going by preventing it from disappearing from the public eye. You can stimulate the interest of the news media and create more coverage for the matters you're working on. You can also send a "good news" letter to bring recognition to people who deserve it or acknowledge the success of an effort.

How do you write a letter to the editor?

1. Open the letter with a simple salutation.

Don't worry if you don't know the editor's name. A simple "To the Editor of the Daily Sun," or just “To the Editor:” is sufficient. If you have the editor's name, however, you should use it to increase the possibilities of your letter being read.

2. Grab the reader's attention. Your opening sentence is very important. It should tell readers what you’re writing about, and make them want to read more.

3. Explain what the letter is about at the start.

Throughout your letter, remember the rule:

Be quick,
Be concise, and then
Be quiet.



Don't make the editor or the general public wait to find out what you want to say. Tell them your key point at the beginning.

4. Explain why the issue is important.

If you are motivated enough to write a letter to a newspaper or magazine, the importance of your topic may seem clear to you. Remember, though, that the general public probably doesn't share your background or the interest. Explain the issue and its importance simply. Use plain language that most people will understand

5. Give evidence for any praise or criticism.

If you are writing a letter discussing a past or pending action, be clear in showing why this will have good or bad results.

6. State your opinion about what should be done.

You can write a letter just to ''vent," or to support or criticize a certain action or policy, but you may also have suggestions about what could be done to improve the situation. If so, be sure to add these as well. Be specific. And the more good reasons you can give to back up your suggestions, the better.

7. Keep it brief.

Generally, shorter letters have a better chance of being published. So go back over your letter and see if anything can be cut or condensed. If you have a lot to say and it can't be easily made short, you may want to check with the editor to see if you could write a longer opinion feature or guest column.

8. Sign the letter.

Be sure to write your full name (and title, if relevant) and to include your address, phone number, and e-mail address. Newspapers won't print anonymous letters, though in some cases they may withhold your name on request. They may also call you to confirm that you wrote the letter before they publish it.

9. Check your letter to make sure it's clear and to the point.

A newspaper may not print every letter it receives, but clear, well-written letters are likely to be given more serious consideration.

A SAMPLE LETTER IS 

adrees of sender
Abc lane, xyz road
city

Dated

The Editor
News paper name
city

Subject: Transportation Pollution

Dear Sir:

Through the renowned column of your esteemed newspaper, I am pleased to express my views on enhancement of transportation pollution and its hazardous effects. Every day a huge numbers of family loss their love once due to defilement of transportation. On 15th November 2012, one of my uncle, patient of lungs cancer, died because there was a long traffic jam and a heavy loaded truck was evolving the smoke. So persistently inhaling that danger smoke he lost his life. I want to raise this issue on a dangerous monster of the transportation pollution to bring the betterment in environment.

A large number of vehicles are provided on lease from banking channels. Due to this traffic problem has been increased. And air pollution is also enhanced. This accessory leasing of vehicles become a perilous problem;which accelerate accident rates very rapidly. So, to control this alarming problem; banks have to levied high rate of interest on leasing vehicles. Due to this, demand of leasing vehicle will be   diminished. And this problem can be resolved prosperously.


After this government should augment its investment on construction of new and wide roads; that should be decorated with trees but in specific manner. Government should contrive separate roads for heavy vehicles at special pathway. To reduce this problem some of bridges, fly over and under pass are very helpful. If government encourages the tram on roads and local buses but in superior condition then due to this accident rate may be decrease because private conveyance will be reduced. And it should be maintain a check and balance system on smoky vehicles which become a giant source of heavy pollution.

I am eagerly hoped that this letter will be brought a profound action from the site of government; on its publishing. Therefore, I hope your eminent authorities will take appropriate measures to obliterate this issue.


Yours truly,
Sig
Name