Letter-Writing: Ten Tips

[yortsed snacilbuper]

There are many forms of activism, but one of the better forms is letters to the editors of newspapers. Newspaper letters allow the readers to hear opposing views and they give the Freethought community the opportunity to dispel any misinformation or mythinformation and to educate the public about any issue that is relevant to Freethought.

Since the advent of the Internet, this has become truer because newspaper readers have expanded from the newspaper’s circulation to their online readers as well. There are only small amounts of newspapers that do not include their letters section online.

We will discuss the fundamentals behind letter writing and provide ten tips for improving your chances of a newspaper printing you on a regular basis.

There are two types of letters written to editors of newspapers; responsive and initial. Responsive letters are written in response to an already printed editorial or letter and usually are comprised of rebuttal information or clarifying information. Statistically, most letters to editors from the Freethought community are responsive in nature.

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[Curmudgeoness]

1. This might be a good idea for some,

and I have used the LTTE more than once to refute wingnuts. But I have also had problems because of this---hate mail, nasty phone calls, threats.

I am not opposed to people who I know being aware that I am an atheist, but I am not comfortable putting my name on a letter published in my paper. The religious freaks here are rabid.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

2. I know what you mean,

I wonder if the news papers would let letter writers use a fake name because they are worried about their safety?

[Curmudgeoness]

3. No, they won't.

Well, at least my small town newspaper won't, and neither would the former Houston Post. I have had problems with letters that I have written to both, but they will not let you use an alias. I have asked when I reported abuses. My newspaper here even calls to check and make sure you wrote the letter before they publish it.

[trotsky]

4. Yep, I got some nasty hate mail the one time I sent a LTTE.

Very graphic and disturbing. From a follower of the "Prince of Peace," of course.

[Oregonian]

5. WWJT?

Who Would Jesus Threaten?

Anyone who proposes a secular government, I guess. I live in a blue state (but a red county). Letters promoting common sense and irreligion in the public square are not well-received. It's ironic that we hate the Taliban.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. They only hate the Taliban

because they do not believe in Jesus as the son of god. Change Mohammed to Jesus and they will be embracing the Taliban.

Hard core Evangelicals = American Taliban. I see no difference in the two.