ACLU of Kentucky

Letters to the editor are great advocacy tools. After you write letters to your members of Congress, sending letters to the editor can achieve other advocacy goals because they:

• reach a large audience.
• are often monitored by elected officials.
• can bring up information not addressed in a news article.
• create an impression of widespread support or opposition to an issue.

Tips on Writing Letters to the Editor

Keep it short and on one subject. Many newspapers have strict limits on the length of letters and have limited space to publish them. Keeping your letter brief will help assure that your important points are not cut out by the newspaper.

Make it legible.Your letter doesn't have to be fancy, but you should use a typewriter or computer word processor if your handwriting is difficult to read.

Send letters to weekly community newspapers too. The smaller the newspaper's circulation, the easier it is to get your letter printed.

Be sure to include your contact information. Many newspapers will only print a letter to the editor after calling the author to verify his or her identity and address. Newspapers will not give out that information, and will usually only print your name and city should your letter be published.

Make references to the newspaper. While some papers print general commentary, many will only print letters that refer to a specific article. Here are some examples of easy ways to refer to articles in your opening sentence:

• I was disappointed to see that The Post's May 18 editorial "School Vouchers Are Right On" omitted some of the key facts in the debate.
• I strongly disagree with (author's name) narrow view on women's reproductive rights. ("Name of Op-Ed," date)
• I am deeply saddened to read that Congressman Doe is working to roll back affirmative action. ("Title of Article," date)

Click here to see some examples of well-written, clear, and persuasive letters to the editor.

And finally, if you get published, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ! 

Contact Information for Local Newspapers

• Courier-Journal: Submit via This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or online form.
• Lexington Herald-Leader: Submit via online form, fax to (859) 231-3332, or mail to: Letters to the Editor, Lexington Herald-Leader, 100 Midland Avenue, Lexington, KY 40508.
• Bowling Green Daily News: Submit via online form.
• Paducah Sun: Submit via This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Northern Kentucky Enquirer: Submit via This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or online form, fax to (513) 768-8569, or mail to: Letters, Enquirer Editorial Page, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.
• Frankfort State Journal: Submit via This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , fax to (502) 227-2831, or mail to: Letters to the Editor, The State Journal, 1216 Wilkinson Blvd., Frankfort, KY 40601.
• Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Submit via online form.
• Murray Ledger & Times: Submit via online form.
• Appalachian News-Express: Submit via online form.