1. Make sure your letter is short and concise (and within the word limit). Type your letter, or print clearly.
2. Keep it to one main idea, not lots of different ideas. Stick with three or four short paragraphs.
3. The first paragraph can mention previous coverage of a story (Sunday’s article about the state’s budget shortfall…). It can help to find something nice to say. If you’re writing in response to something you disagree with, paraphrase but don’t quote words directly. Don’t use your limited space to say something you think isn’t true. 
4. In your second paragraph, introduce something personal or your key fact and state your key message (As a parent, I would rather see my tax dollars go to education rather than to building new prisons.). Don’t be afraid to personalize it: people are often more swayed by compelling personal experience than dry statistics.
5. The third paragraph goes more deeply into your key message. (Each biennium we are paying $100 million in debt for past prison construction.) Close with your strongest message. 
6. Sign your letter and provide a phone number where you can be contacted. Newspapers will not run a letter unless they can call to verify its authenticity. Don’t worry, the paper will not print your phone number.
7. Keep trying! Remember that space is limited on the letters page. Not every letter will be printed. If you write your letter in a hard-hitting, personalized, concise manner, it has a better chance of being run.
   

In addition to our printer-friendly version, we have two PDF versions of this tip sheet (PDF's require Acrobat Reader software). One includes contact information for several Oregon newspapers. They are listed at the bottom of this page.