How to write Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor (LTE) are often the most widely read feature in a newspaper, magazine, or
newsletter. A timely, well-written LTE will not only reach a large audience, but can also persuade others
to take a specific action.
The chances of a Letter to the Editor (LTE) being published are greatest when written in response to an
article or commentary published within the previous few days (for a daily newspaper) or the previous
issue of a weekly newspaper, magazine, or newsletter. However, LTEs can be written at any time you
want to influence public opinion or educate the public on a specific matter. To create timeliness to LTEs
not written in response to an article, try connecting your topic to the calendar (holiday or awareness day)
or to an upcoming or recent event or activity in the community.
Your letter should only address one key point. You have a limited word count to work with (up to 250
words is typical for local and regional papers, but larger newspapers are often limited to 150 words, and
many magazines have a limit of less than 100 words), so it important to keep your response focused.
Keep editing your response until you have removed every non-essential word. Don’t use phrases such as
“I think” or “I feel” – this is obvious since you are writing the letter.
Make sure your point is clearly stated in the first paragraph. Editors may need to cut the length of your
letter, and typically start at the bottom. Effective persuasive writing appeals to both emotion and logic.
Use local statistics (sparingly) and personal stories to better illustrate your point and to make a personal
connection and to help the reader see the relevance of your issue.
Always sign the letter with your name, title, and contact information. Most publications want to verify the
sender before printing.
It is not enough for streets to be safe for drivers—whether walking, running,
riding a bike, or driving a car, we all deserve access to routes that keep us safe
until we arrive at our destination.
Sample Letters to the Editor
The sample Letters to the Editor below are designed to be just that: samples. You’ll want to craft a
message that will be compelling to decision makers and to the readers of the publication to which the
letter will be submitted. Be specific about projects you would like to see completed and the positive
impact that would have in your community, region or state.
Sample 1: Letter acknowledging the passage of FAST Act and encouraging decision making body (MPO/state
legislator/city council) to take advantage of the funding for local/regional/state projects.

Word Count: 236
On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or “FAST
Act” in to law. It provides long-term funding for transportation projects which can allow our state to move
forward with important transportation projects. The leaders of our state can take advantage of this
funding to invest in much needed improvements for communities most in need.
Over the past several decades, we have focused on making our roads more convenient for cars and
trucks. Getting around by walking or biking has been increasingly difficult for children and families due to
a lack of safety features such as sidewalk, bike lanes, and crosswalks. Communities with few or no
sidewalks experience more crashes.
It’s not enough for streets to be safe for drivers – whether walking, running, riding a bike, or driving a car,
everyone in our state deserves the right to access routes that keep them safe. When streets are safer for
everyone, children and their families will walk and bike to school more often, helping them to be more
active and reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and strokes. When people can walk and bike in their
neighborhoods, more people are out on the streets and neighbors are better able to keep an eye on one
another
Our state leaders should take this opportunity to invest in our health and safety by making our streets
safer for all of us to use.
Sample 2: Encourage decision making body (MPO/state legislature/city council) to pass complete streets
policies which are equitable.

Word Count: 237
On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or “FAST
Act” in to law. It provides long-term funding for transportation projects which can allow our state to move
forward with important transportation projects. In this law, states and metropolitan planning
organizations are encouraged to set design standards or Complete Street policies that address safety for
all users.
Our state should establish a Complete Streets policy that will ensure that streets in every community will
be designed to enable people of all ages and abilities to safely travel, whether they are drivers,
pedestrians, bicyclists, or riders of public transportation.
When underserved communities lack safety features such as sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and curb
cuts, getting around by walking or biking is difficult and unsafe. These same communities often have a
higher percentage of residents living with chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.
When streets are designed and built to share there are fewer car crashes – drivers, riders and pedestrians
are all safer. When it is safe to walk and bicycle, children and families are more active. With complete
streets, children and their families have safer routes to school, recreation areas, after-school programs,
and work. In addition, when families are more active, it helps prevent chronic diseases such as heart
disease, diabetes and strokes.
Our state should develop Complete Streets policies and prioritize projects in the communities that need
them most.