Most newspapers and magazines have a ‘letters page’ that gives readers the opportunity to express their views and opinions. Writing in is a way of communicating with readers, and MPs also keep an eye on letters in their local paper.
Check first:
- Their guidelines on how to submit a letter. You usually need to supply your full name and address plus a contact number.
- What sort of letters get published, e.g. length, tone.
Find a hook:
The easiest hook is to respond promptly to a story they have already covered. Often these opportunities present themselves - perhaps they didn't include the climate consequences in a story about a business development, or covered extreme weather without mentioning the link to climate breakdown. Or maybe it was a good story but left something out, or you have a personal angle on it.
Keep it short and simple
Check the length of letters which are published, and try and keep to the average length. Keep the language simple. Make your opinions and feelings clear, but don’t rant. Include any credentials, whether that's professional expertise, or personal experience, for example as a carer for a vulnerable adult in heatwaves, or being affected by flooding.
Name drop! MPs will keep a careful eye on when and where their name is mentioned in the media.
Get it sent off
Having written your letter, don’t get stuck thinking 'this isn’t good enough'. Send it anyway. Any letter is better than no letter at all - and it may encourage the editor to publish someone else’s on the same subject.
Don't forget to check if it's published, and if it isn't, don't be deterred from keeping trying, and look at those which are published to get ideas. Publications need letters to fill their letters page, you're not asking for a favour!
More detailed advice
It's harder to get your letter published in national newspapers, compared to local papers or specialist media, but always worth a try! Here is some guidance from the Guardian's letters editor in 2017.