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9.5: Working with Language- Writing a Letter to the Editor

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    What Is a Letter to the Editor?

    A letter to the editor is a short letter you write to a local newspaper to express your opinion on a matter of importance to your community. You hope your letter will be published so that you can share your opinion with a wide audience. You usually want to convince your readers that your opinion is the right one, and you want them to act in a specific way.

     

    Tips for Writing a Letter to the Editor

    Do

    • Make it clear what you are writing about. Do this early in the letter.
    • Say who you are and what your interest is in the issue.
    • Keep your letter short and to the point; no more than 250 words is best.
    • Include a statement about what you want to see happen.
    • Add your contact information.

    Don’t

    • Be rude or insult people who don’t agree with you.
    • Don’t make statements that you cannot support, or that may not be accurate.
    • Ramble; most letters to the editor are short.

     

    You Try It!

    Read the following letter to the editor of the Rocky Narrows Reporter, a small local newspaper in northern B.C. The letter is written by long-term resident Bruce Lansford.

    Then, imagine that you live in Rocky Narrows. You are unemployed, and you are hoping for a job at the new resort. You believe that the needs of the people come first, and you welcome this new development.

    Write a letter to the editor, responding to Bruce Lansford’s comments.

    Ms. Una Cameron,
    Editor, Rocky Narrows Reporter,
    12, Main Street,
    Rocky Narrows, B.C.,
    V9D 2B6.

    May 18, 2018.

    Dear Editor,

    I am writing about the proposed building of a luxury resort on Blackwater Lake. I am a resident of Rocky Narrows; I have lived here for over 40 years, and I know the region very well. I believe this plan will have negative effects on the local environment.

    First, this has always been a pristine region. We have had very little air pollution, but that will change when city people drive up here in their huge trucks and SUVs, sending exhaust fumes into the air. We can also count on more light pollution and noise pollution. Second, our many animals, birds, and fish risk losing their homes. Sightings of the Kermode bear are decreasing, and I fear that this spectacular creature will become endangered. The region is also home to black bears, lynx, and wolverines—where will they live? Third, the lake itself will be destroyed. Blackwater Lake is home to many species, particularly the northern leopard frog. If the resort goes ahead, there will be damage to the lake from water pollution.

    While the development of the resort will no doubt lead to jobs in the area, I believe that environmental factors outweigh economic ones. I urge the people of Rocky Narrows to take a stand against this development! Please come to the rally against the resort on Saturday, May 26. We are meeting in the Tim Hortons parking lot at 2 p.m. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us.

    Sincerely,

     

    Bruce Lansford,
    34 Pine Street, Apt. 4,
    Rocky Narrows, B.C.
    V9D 7H2.

    Tel. (250) 555-1212.

     

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    9.5: Working with Language- Writing a Letter to the Editor is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.