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| Writing
an Effective LTE (Letter to the Editor) |
Letters to
the editor are a great tool for conservation
advocacy. The letters page is the second-most
read page in any local newspaper behind only the
front page. Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited
encourages the use of letters to local news
outlets as an effective and easy way to present
our views to the public.
The following is a brief set of guidelines on
making your LTE more effective. Following that
is some contact information for local Flathead
area media outlets.
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Keep it short. |
Most papers limit the amount of space for
LTEs. Keep your letter brief and on subject.
Most letters should run no more than about 250
words. |
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Stay focused |
Don't try to answer every question or cover
too much territory. Pick a specific point to
make and try to focus on that limited subject.
Most editors cut from the bottom so, make your
main argument early in the letter, preferably on
the first line. |
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Make it readable |
You don't have to be
Hemingway to write a convincing letter, but try
to use proper english and punctuation. Computer
spell checkers are one of the greatest
inventions of the twentieth century, use it. |
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Be timely |
Editors are looking for letters that
reference active news content. If you are making
a reply, do it as soon as possible after the
event or article. |
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Stay on subject |
If you are replying to a specific letter or
article, make sure you reference the date and
subject of the letter or article you are
replying to. Do this early in the letter to
provide focus for the reader. |
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Keep it positive |
Don't indulge in name
calling or negative comments about opponents no
matter the tone of their remarks. Always take
the high ground and make your points using valid
positive arguments and name the sources of your
information. |
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Include your contact information |
Be sure that you provide your name, address
and phone number in your letter. Most editors
will try to contact you prior to publication to
verify that you want the letter published. Your
personal information will not be published. |
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The following is contact information for
sending your letter to Flathead area media
outlets. Many outlets have specific web pages
for sending electronic letters and email also
lets you get your letter published as quickly as
possible. Most outlets now accept electronic
submissions and many have no snail mail access.
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Missoulian
oped@missoulian.com
Letters should be 300 words or less. MUST
include your real name, real address, phone
number. While we welcome feedback from anyone,
we only publish letters from within our print
circulation area.
or,
Editor
Missoulian
PO Box 8029
Missoula, MT 59807
Daily Inter Lake
Email form:
http://dailyinterlake.com/forms/?mode=letters
Letters should be no more than 300 words.
or,
Editor
The
Daily Inter Lake
727 East Idaho
PO
7610-59904
Kalispell
MT, 59901
Flathead Beacon
To submit a letter, please e-mail your
submission to
editor@flatheadbeacon.com . Please keep your letter to 300 words or less. The Flathead Beacon
reserves the right to edit letters for length,
clarity, taste and to prevent libel. Letters
must include the writer’s first and last name,
phone number and address for verification
purposes. To mail a letter, please send to 217 Main Street,
Kalispell,
MT 59901.
Fax letters to (406) 257-9231. Letters do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of the Beacon.
Hungry Horse News
Email
form:
http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/hungryhorsenews/submit_letter/
Whitefish Pilot
Email Form:
http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/whitefishpilot/submit_letter/
Bigfork Eagle
Email
Form:
http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/bigforkeagle/submit_letter/
Lake
County Leader
(Polson)
Email Form:
http://www.leaderadvertiser.com/site/forms/?mode=letters
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The Valley Journal
(Ronan)
Email:
vjeditor@valleyjournal.net
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