Tips on Writing Letters to the Editor

Guidelines for Great Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor are a great way to get the word out about community concerns like public lands and programs.  They’re read by a wide audience and can draw community attention to an issue that might otherwise go unnoticed. 
Here are some tips on writing effective letters to the editor advocating for Anchorage parks:

• Keep it short and on topic—know the word limit for the paper you’re writing to and stick to it
• Use concrete examples and information
• Make it personal (i.e. I watch my kids play on this playground every night, and it’s an important part of my life and my community. I’m disappointed that we don’t have the resources to upgrade this equipment, as it is aging and unsafe.)
• Make it legible and include your contact information.  Newspaper staff usually wish to verify the identity of letter writers before printing them

Contact Information:

Anchorage Daily News
(225 word maximum and one letter per writer per month)
letters@adn.com

Anchorage Press
editor@anchoragepress.com