When to write a letter to the editor:  If you read the paper, chances are you've come across articles relating to breast cancer that don't tell the whole story or otherwise leave much to be desired.  Letters to the Editor are a way for you to fill in the blanks the writer may have left.   It's also a place to correct inaccuracies and misstatements.  If you've got a reaction to an article that reaction deserves to be turned into a well-written letter.

Keep your letters short and succinct:  Aim for 200-250 words (or, less than one typed, double-spaced page).  Most newspapers won't look at or consider anything longer.  Some papers have even smaller maximum word counts; the New York Times, for example, won't print letters more than 150 words in length.  Don't feel like you need to use up all the space, however.  Just say what you need to say and leave it at that.   To guide your writing, remember that the first sentence or two should refer to the article you're writing about, using the date it ran and either the author's name or article title.

Keep it timely:  Send your letter within a week of the date the article to which you're responding was printed.  The sooner you send your letter, the better.

Personalize your letter:  Including your personal relationship to breast cancer always adds to a compelling argument.

Sign your name and provide contact information:  Remember to include your name and phone number.  Most media will call you to verify authenticity if they plan to run your letter.  Also include your city and state.   Many mid-size to small local papers won't run letters from people outside their coverage area.  Even if you live in San Francisco, for example, the Sacramento Bee doesn't consider you local and won't print your letter.  It is fine to check with the paper if you're not sure.

Send it off:  Sending the letter via e-mail or fax is quickest.   No follow-up is needed.  The paper will contact you if they plan to run your letter.

Let SAR know:  Please cc or bcc SAR HQ on your letter, or forward it to us after you have sent it, so we can keep track.

Tell a friend:  Pass the article in question and your letter on to your friends and family.  They can use your letter as a template for writing their own.

Happy Writing!

*These tips are adapted from SPIN Works!  A Media Guidebook for Communicating Values and Shaping Opinion, published by the SPIN Project.

				Your Name
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Date

Letters to the Editor Name of Publication Address City, State, Zip Code

Dear Editor:

First paragraph.  If you are writing a rebuttal to a recently published article, begin this paragraph with the article's name and its date of publication.   Clearly address your topic, stating your position and the most important supporting information first.

Next paragraph(s).  Develop your position with further supporting details, again following the inverted pyramid formula of journalistic writing – supply the most important information first, with less important details towards the end.   Finish your letter with a positive statement.

Sincerely,

[Sign your name here]

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I grant permission to publish this letter.