Getting your views on an important issue in the media is one of the best ways to spread the word and have an impact. A well written letter to the editor (LTE) is a powerful tool that can reach a wide audience.
The LTE is a type of article published in a newspaper or magazine that discusses an opinion on an event, policy or issue that concerns the public. These letters may be submitted in person, by mail or electronically. They are often featured on the editorial page of a newspaper, though they are also published in other publications such as entertainment and technical magazines, academic journals, and even on television or radio.
In general, LTEs aim to highlight salient points or provide alternative perspectives on a story that has been published in a previous edition of a journal. Historically, LTEs have also served to congratulate the article authors, make tangential points or to give the letter writer a platform to discuss his/her own research. Many journals will have specific guidelines on what constitutes a valid LTE.
To increase your chances of your letter being published, it is important to follow the publication’s instructions on how to submit your LTE. These guidelines will typically include a word count and email address to send your LTE to, and often will have guidelines on what the editors look for in LTEs. For example, most outlets prefer for LTEs to be brief and clearly comprehensible.