tips for writing an effective letter
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Find out the publication’s
guidelines (length, letters/writer, signers/letter) and stick to them.
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Be firm but polite: make your
case without insults, rants, or
vulgarity.
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Keep it concise and informative.
Editorial space is limited and a shorter letter has a better chance of getting
printed.
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Write with the assumption that
readers know nothing about your topic and start from the beginning with some basic information.
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If posisble, link your letter to
something published in the paper (either a news item or another
letter-to-the-editor) and respond as quickly as you can.
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Avoid personal attacks on
reporters or other letter-writers.
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Use talking points to communicate Planned Parenthood's message, but always personalize! Most opinion editors can spot a form letter from a mile away.
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Always proof read your letter
before sending it, or send it to us for a final opinion.
submitting your letter
Always include your
full name, address and phone number. This information will not be published,
but many publications will contact you to verify your identity before printing
a letter. When
submitting letters over email, be sure to send as an attachment and paste the letter into the body of
the email. If you do not hear from the paper, you should follow up after a few days to make sure it was received and ask about when it will be published. Finally, let Planned Parenthood know when you submit a letter so we can track it!
sample letters
Here are some examples of clear, concise letters. For more, see pp in the news.
LETTER: The Senate Defeated a Sensible Bill on Sex Education
The Roanoke Times
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The Senate narrowly defeated SB 155 (17-22), a simple bill that
would have amended the code of Virginia to include "the use of
FDA-approved methods of contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy,
along with abstinence and disease prevention" in family life education
programs. The guidelines in this bill were developed with input from
public school staff, state agencies, parent groups and not-for-profit
organizations that provide family life services.
No Republican senators supported this simple, common-sense measure.
The chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee voted against
the bill. What does that mean for the future of reproductive health in
Virginia?
Research shows that teens who receive comprehensive sexuality
education that includes discussion of abstinence and contraception are
more likely than those who receive abstinence-only messages to delay
sexual activity and to use contraceptives when they do become sexually
active.
I am disheartened by the defeat of such a common-sense prevention
measure. In light of the growing body of research showing the failures
of abstinence-only programs, it seems all legislators should be able to
agree on the importance of providing medically accurate information
about pregnancy and disease prevention.
Rebecca Murray, Willis
LETTER: Legislators attack essential services
Charlottesville Daily Progress
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Shame on state legislators for their ideological attack on Planned Parenthood on the Senate floor.
The amendment
offered by Sen. Ken Cuccinelli to eliminate funding for Planned
Parenthood was a mean-spirited attack on a community organization
receiving funding to provide essential health-care services to
Virginia’s women, families and teens.
The services
funded by the state are prevention programs to provide family planning
services, including gynecological exams, cancer screening, pregnancy
testing, contraceptive services testing, and treatment for sexually
transmitted infections, as well as medically accurate education. No one
does more to prevent unintended pregnancy in Virginia than Planned
Parenthood.
Voters, and
women in particular, are really tired of legislators playing politics
with women’s health, reducing access to care and thumbing their noses
at prevention.
If these
legislators really wanted to reduce abortions, they would support this
program, which works to provide accurate education and contraception
and to reduce the need for abortion in the event of unintended
pregnancies.
Cindy Janechild, Albemarle County