Letters To the Editor (LTEs)

Why Write an LTE?

  • Powerful impact with relatively little effort
  • Great way to bring in unreported information, positions, facts
  • Great way to challenge mainstream narrative, shift the debate or focus
  • May be a way to advertise upcoming action/event or advertise past action/event
  • Every time a JVP position makes it into the media is more proof that it’s ok to criticize Israel (and if you’re writing from a Jewish perspective, proof that Jews have multiple positions on Israel and criticize it)
  • Writing a good LTE takes relatively little time/effort (30 min) and doesn’t require lots of research

How the media sees them

  • Media outlets like them because they are a way to show off wide-range of readership
  • Vis-a-vis politics and opinions, geographic locations, age-range, demographics, etc.
  • Really good/contentious LTEs are clickbait
  • Local papers/ campus papers really like LTEs
  • Local media still matters: Often seen as “more trustworthy” than social media, and people supplement online news (CNN, Vice, etc.) with local papers
  • Local media is always looking for ways to connect to national and international news stories – LTEs help them do that

What is a LTE and important things to know

  • A short (approx. 150 words) letter written in response to an article published or printed online
  • Not every media outlet has them; and no media outlet publishes all the LTEs they receive
  • Outlets with an “opinion” section will often include a sub-section called letters
  • LTEs are NOT Anonymous
  • Your full name is required and will be printed and/or posted online
  • Outlets will often ask for your mailing address (to confirm you are not a bot, but they won’t print it)
  • If you list your affiliation with JVP, (which we hope you do), it may be made public
  • Bigger outlets receive way more LTEs and thus it is much harder to get published by them
  • Bigger outlets may cut or edit your LTE. If they do that, they will share the edits and you can challenge any change you don’t agree with

Tips for writing a LTE outlets will want to publish

  1. Write ASAP - be timely and relevant.
  2. Respond clearly to an article, editorial or op-ed.
  1. Write in response immediately (think 24 hrs) after a piece is published. Be sure to mention the name of the article and the date it was published
  1. Keep it short. Only try to get one message across. Usually 50-250 words.
  2. Make it personal. Use I-statements, speak about personal experience, tell a story.
  3. Make it local. Point to local involvement, local responses, or relevant local statistics.
  4. Publications don’t print letters that are part of a manufactured campaign. Make yours unique.
  5. Stick to their submission guidelines, especially word count.

How is an LTE worded?

  • Always include a reference to the article that is being responded to 
  • Written in the first person - you describe your feelings/opinions
  • Make sure to include who you are – why should people care about what you’re saying on this issue?
  • Are you a longtime and/or local resident?
  • Is it relevant to mention your field of study/ volunteer experience/  profession?
  • Does it strengthen your argument to point out aspects of your identity?
  • Do you identify as Jewish? and/or Palestinian? Person of Color? Queer and/or trans person? Woman? Parent? Working class/under-privileged? Disabled person? And/or other identities you feel are important to raise up

Example LTE format:  

  1. Response to what was reported on (I am writing in response to X article published WHEN; I was so glad to see the issue of X addressed in X article published WHEN; I was saddened/disappointed by the article X published WHEN)
  2. Your main message (It was great to see X addressed because WHY; The article failed to address X and X points)
  3. Sneaky pivot: Reference a recent JVP action; Bring in key JVP issue like BDS, Deadly Exchange, HR 2407, Return the Birthright; Include an invitation to everyone who also cares about X to come to upcoming JVP event WHEN;
  4. Sign your name with JVP affiliation

PRO TIPS

  1. Make sure you know which outlet you want to submit your LTE to, and their specifications, before you start writing
  2. Research the outlet beforehand to find the letters-to-the-editor email address, or the link to the form for online submission, and to learn the outlet’s rules (wordcount, submit via form online, etc)
  3. Have an attention-getting subject line. “Letter submission from X on Y issue”
  4. If you don’t hear back by the next day, follow up. Pick up the phone and call the editor, and keep calling until you speak to someone who gives you a yes or no answer. If they tell you no, make the most of this opportunity to ask what they are looking for and what you should do next time.

JVP LTE Example from The Washington Post: