Letters to the Editor

Make Your Voice Heard Through Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor

If you are a subject matter expert with an interesting opinion on a timely issue, you may want to consider writing an op-ed or a letter to the editor. Op-eds and letters to the editor can influence public debate and affect policy on the local, state, national, and international levels. Op-eds and letters to the editor sometimes result in significant publicity for the author.

Here are some tips for writing and submitting op-eds and letters to the editor from the ASA Office of Public Affairs and Public Information:

Op-Ed

• Make a focused, educated argument
  • It is important to hook the reader early
  • Your main point should be in your first paragraph
  • Tell readers why they should care what you are writing about
  • Offer specific recommendations  
  • Make sure your opinion is based on solid research
  • Restate your main point and issue a call to action at the end of your op-ed
    • Your conclusion and your first paragraph are particularly important
  • Appeal to the average reader
    • Remember, the reader is probably not an expert in your topic
• Writing style is important
  • Use short sentences and paragraphs
    • Sentences should generally be declarative
  • Avoid jargon and clichés
  • Use the active voice
  • Do not “preach”
  • Do not be afraid to use the personal voice
• Be timely
  • Make sure your op-ed is linked to current events
• Limit op-eds to 750 words or fewer
  • Newspapers and other publications have space constraints
  • You won’t be able to solve all the world’s problems in your op-ed
• Submitting your op-ed
  • Most op-eds are submitted via email
    • You can generally find submission information in the online and print versions of a media outlet’s opinion section
  • Include a brief bio, along with your phone number, email address, and mailing address at the bottom of the op-ed
• Following up
  • Most op-ed editors will respond to you within a week
    • If you haven't received a response by then or if your piece is particularly time-sensitive, you can follow up with an email or a call to ensure the editor received your op-ed and to check on its status

Letters to the Editor

• Typically written in response to a recent article in a previous edition of the publication
  • Make one clear argument—criticizing or supporting the article
  • Cite the article (title and publication date) in your letter
  • Limit your letter to 150-200 words
• Submitting your letter
  • Most letters are submitted via email
    • You can generally find submission information in the online and print versions of a media outlet’s opinion section
  • Include your phone number, email address, mailing address, and title, if relevant, at the bottom of the letter
• Following up
  • Most op-ed editors will respond to you within a week
    • If you haven't received a response by then or if your piece is particularly time-sensitive, you can follow up with an email or a call to ensure the editor received your letter and to check on its status

If you have any questions, please email Bradley Smith at pubinfo@asanet.org