THE LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A letter to the editor reacts or responds to something that has already appeared in a publication: an article, an op-ed, or another letter. The letter may affirm, support, or amplify the already published piece. More often, however, the letter's purpose is to respond to someone else's adversarial message-or to a biased statement or assumption within a published piece.

Writing adversarial letters to the editor calls for careful judgment. Placed in a reactive situation, you must convert that situation into a pro-active opportunity.

Guidelines for op-eds also apply to letters to the editor. In addition:

  • Don't validate your adversary's position by repeating it. Touch on it generally and present your own points in the context you select.

  • Don't attack your adversary as a person! Readers' sympathies harden in favor of victims.

  • Be positive! Don't be content to debunk your adversary's position. Show that you have a solution that works.

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