{"id":6243,"date":"2021-11-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-03T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www-prod.greenpeace.org\/usa\/writing-a-letter-to-the-editor\/"},"modified":"2024-11-20T17:07:32","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T17:07:32","slug":"writing-a-letter-to-the-editor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/writing-a-letter-to-the-editor\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing a letter to the editor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Toolkit: Writing a letter to the editor<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n

Thank you for signing up to write a letter to the editor with Greenpeace USA! If you haven\u2019t signed up yet, make sure to fill out this form<\/strong><\/a> so you can get the support you need while writing your letter to the editor (LTE). <\/p>\n\n

Congress has spent most of the fall working on historic legislation called the Build Back Better Act that could have unprecedented effects on the future of our climate. Volunteers like you have organized for over six months to make sure that the fossil fuel industry stops receiving billions in taxpayer money by ensuring the Build Back Better Act eliminates fossil fuel subsidies. <\/p>\n\n

No matter what happens with the Build Back Better Act, we need to ensure that members of Congress are held accountable for what they did to strengthen or weaken the bill. By writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, you will be sharing how this legislation will be impacting you and your community \u2014 and making sure that Congress members\u2019 actions will not be forgotten.<\/p>\n\n

Through writing a letter to the editor, you\u2019ll tell your story and share how this issue affects your community \u2014 and how your representatives either showed up for the climate and health \u2014 or turned away.<\/strong> Fossil fuels have no place in a safe and healthy future \u2014 <\/strong>whether they\u2019re being used to create dirty energy or single-use plastics. Whether you\u2019ve breathed in smoke from climate-fueled wildfires, live near a petrochemical plant turning gas into plastic, or are concerned about the future of your kids and grandkids, we want you to share about it in your letter to the editor. <\/p>\n\n

The Basics<\/h2>\n\n

Why Letters to the Editor?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Placing letters to the editor in media outlets across the country is one of the best ways we can keep climate action in the news while showing corporations and elected officials that we are holding them accountable.<\/p>\n\n

Tying your letter to the editor into current events provides an opportunity to give a new or overlooked perspective. Letters to the editors (LTE) are usually 200-250 words and respond (either agree or disagree) to a specific article in a news outlet. Make sure your word count is in line with the exact requirements laid out by the newspaper you are aiming to publish in!<\/p>\n\n

Questions to ask yourself when writing your LTE: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
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  1. Why should we readers trust you?<\/strong>\u00a0Make sure to present your personal connection to the topic, why you relate to the issue as a community member, parent, student, business owner, etc. Sharing your own personal experiences to back up your point of view goes a long way! You are an expert in your own story. Make sure to include your personal motivation about the issues \u2013 why do you care about the issue?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Can you back up what you say?\u00a0<\/strong>Is your argument based on evidence \u2013 solid material and logical building blocks that will be acknowledged as credible even by those who may disagree with your interpretation? We\u2019ll give you tons of talking points to use in your letter.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. What\u2019s new?\u00a0<\/strong>Is your argument different, particularly original in the way it is delivered, or is it backed up by substantially new information or reporting? What is compelling about its contribution to the conversation?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. So what?<\/strong>\u00a0Why should everyone else \u2013 including those of us who are not experts in your area \u2013 care?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. What\u2019s the difference between being \u201cright\u201d and being \u201ceffective\u201d?\u00a0<\/strong>Does your language tend to write off the people who would disagree with you, or do you employ empathy and respect in the pursuit of changing minds?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. How will your ideas and arguments contribute to the conversation, and be helpful to your audience?<\/strong>\u00a0Do you see your knowledge and experience in terms of its potential value to others?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    When you\u2019re writing a letter to the editor, here are some things you\u2019ll definitely want to include. Remember to be as specific as possible!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n