How to Write a Letter to the Editor or to a PTA - letter writing tips

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Marry

A practical guide to writing an effective letter to a newspaper or magazine editor, or to a PTA, with an emphasis on reaching a wide audience and advocating a clear message. It instructs writers to keep letters short (about 100–150 words), stay focused on one issue, and use timely submission when responding to recently published material. It provides concrete issue points about dissection, suggests balancing criticism with alternatives, and recommends polishing details such as addresses, phone numbers, strong openings, proofreads, and options like op-eds.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Writing goals and scope

Keep it short and focused

Use timely submission and proper formatting

Content guidance

Select key points and balance critique with solutions

Include personal experience

Review and options

Proofread before sending

Consider sending to local papers or writing an op-ed

How to Write a Letter to the Editor or to a PTA A letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine is an effective way of reaching a lot of people with your message. You may want to write in response to an article on dissection (or some other aspect of science education) that already appeared, or you may write to raise the issue. Either way, there’s power in the pen (and the keypad!) and you should use it. Keep your letter short. Most newspapers and magazines won’t publish letters longer than 250 words without cutting, and it’s better if you do the cutting than if they do. A 100-150 word letter is ideal. This packet contains sample letters. Keep your letter focused. If you’re writing about dissection, stick to just that issue. Here are some important points you can make. 􀂃 More than 6 million vertebrate animals are killed for dissection in US high schools each year. Commonly used species include frogs, cats, fetal pigs, dogfish sharks, turtles, fish and pigeons. 􀂃 Animals often suffer inhumane treatment during capture, transport, housing and killing for dissection. 􀂃 Most animals killed for dissection are taken from the wild, disrupting animal populations and the natural habitats they live in. 􀂃 Published studies show that dissection alternatives are as good as or better for learning than are dissection and other invasive animal-based classroom exercises. 􀂃 Educational curricula should foster environmental stewardship and compassion for life; dissection encourages neither – animal life is devalued and treated as expendable. 􀂃 Dissection alienates many compassionate students from the life sciences. As a result, many bright, caring students choose careers in other fields. Be timely. If you are responding to something that already appeared in the paper, do it within two or three days of its appearance. If the paper accepts letter by fax (most do, some don’t), that will expedite their receipt of it. Most publications accept letters via e-mail. Type your letter with the date and the address to where you’re sending it at the top. Make sure your own address is included, as well as your phone number(s), so that editors can contact you to verify that you wrote the letter. Open your letter with a catchy sentence so that readers will want to read on. Get the issue (classroom dissection or live animal experimentation) in early. If you can relate a personal experience, it will make the piece more interesting and effective. Avoid being only negative in your letter. By all means, mention the problems with dissection, but also point out the benefits of using alternatives. Don’t hesitate to send letters to small papers. As a student, your own school paper is an obvious choice. Local papers are much more likely to print your letter than are big city papers with huge circulations. You may get the opportunity to write an opinion editorial.“Op-Eds” are longer, usually 400-500 words, and they allow you to cover an issue more thoroughly. Present the problem, and then present the solution. Once again, personal experience will add poignancy. Feel free to use any of the information in this packet, which also includes a sample op-ed. Finally, before you send off your letter, have someone proofread it for accuracy, clarity and errors!

FAQs

How long should a letter to the editor be?

Most newspapers and magazines limit letters to under about 250 words. A 100–150 word letter is presented as ideal to reduce the chance of cutting.

What key content should the letter focus on when discussing dissection?

The guidance is to focus on dissection as one issue and include specific points such as animal harm, sourcing from the wild, learning effectiveness of alternatives, and the ethical concern that dissection devalues animal life.

What should be included at the top of the letter and why?

The letter should be typed with the date and the sending address at the top, plus the writer’s address and phone number(s), so editors can contact you to verify authorship.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Marry