YouthSpeak: Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Dear Members & Supporters,

Letters to the editor are one of the most important ways to reach youth and adults who support youth voting rights. Almost all newspapers invite readers to send in letters to be published. Every year about 5 or 6 letters are published by youth and adults supporting a lower voting age. We need more letters to make youth and adults alike aware of our cause and help them to become involved with our movement.

How can you write a letter to the editor? Its simple. First decide what you will write. In your own words, tell why you believe youth should have a right to vote, or why you in particular want a right to vote. If you can, you may want to tie it in with current events. Also mention the growing youth rights movement taking place around the world. If you want to you can include our web page address in your letter
http://www.oblivion.net/youthspeak/

then find your local newspaper on the web. I think the easiest way to do that is to go to Yahoo's Web Seach Engine http://www.yahoo.com/
Then search for your newspaper (for example "New York Times") or your city (for example "Philadelphia"). If you search under city, click on "News and Media" and then "Newspapers" to get to your paper.

Most newspapers have a way to send an e-mail over the web or through e-mail. Look for your paper's "Opinion" or "Letters to the Editor" section for more information. Also the web page will list the postal address if you would rather send it by snail mail.

Most newspapers WILL publish your letter, provided it is not too long. Most web pages may list a word limit, so don't go above that. Many word limits are 250 words and most people recommend not to write a letter to the editor over 250 words, even if the limit is higher. Make your letters concise but don't leave out important points!

One more thing: You need to include your phone number in your letter to the editor. This is so the newspaper can call you to confirm that you sent them the letter. Papers will NOT include your phone number in their story. Check the guidelines for each paper, if you can.

So write, write, write. Express yourself, and help encourage others to do so. It works. I got a letter on lowering the voting age published in two major newspapers.

Good Luck and thanks for your efforts!

Sincerely,

Keith Mandell, Operation Register Director

YouthSpeak