Congratulations on becoming an active part in truth-telling and bringing more and diverse people together for a better nation! We look forward to reading your next letter.

How do I write a good letter to the editor/my representative?

Writing a good letter, especially one that gets published, is a formula. We think it’s 2 parts heart, 1 part relevance and 1 part timing. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  1. Read your local paper – especially the editorial section. You’ll likely find your heart-felt topic.
  2. Identify your position: Are you for or against, happy or sad, thoughtfully provoked or angry, comforted or scared?
  3. What point will you be making? Fix your sights on one concrete idea you can clearly communicate in 200-300 words. 
  4. Consider the readership, with your goal to be read by as many different people as possible. “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Don’t assume anyone reading will understand subtle references or think like you do.
    1. For letters to the editor, choose a short title that will catch the reader’s attention and relate closely to your point.
    2. For letters to your representatives, let them know you are a voting constituent.
  5. Put your first draft down for a couple minutes, then edit it, cutting out anything that doesn’t lend directly to your point.
  6. Give it to someone you trust who will review it for content (“Was my message clear?) and someone to check for grammar and typos.
  7. Send it to the newspaper or local government representative (find contact information at https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm) and please forward what you sent to one of us at the Letters to the Editor Club. Well done!

Guidelines / Resources

To find out contact information for your U.S., state, and county representatives, go to https://whoaremyrepresentatives.org/ and enter in your address.

The Sentinel (online at Cumberlink.com) takes letters up to 300 words by email (letters@cumberlink.com), online form or U.S. mail (Letters to the Editor, The Sentinel, 327 B Street, Carlisle, Pa. 17013). Your letter cannot attack anyone personally, and if you refer to an article, letter or commentary, you must cite the publication date. You must include your name, address and phone number (the paper prints only your name and town or municipality). The editorial department contacts you before they publish any letter. (You can submit a column [up to 900 words] the same way. Those with name recognition—like your representatives—seem to have better luck getting columns published.)

The Patriot (pennlive.com) limits letters to 250 words; columns are limited to 850 words. Letters are more likely to be published than column submissions, and more of each appear in the online than make the print edition. Always include your name, address and phone number. Email letters@pennlive.com or complete the online form. The U.S. mail address is PennLive, 1900 Patriot Dr., Mechanicsburg, Pa., 17050.

Speaking Truth to Lies

We need everyone to speak the truth and counter lies when they hear or read them. Visiting your state representative may give you more lies to counter, as ours with Representative Barb Gleim recently did regarding critical race theory. Our concerted effort to attend school board meetings across Cumberland Valley has also provided letter fodder.

We need people to write letters to the editor and to representatives, and to speak out in local municipal and school board meetings to celebrate our leaders and speak the truth. Submitting letters or guest columns to local or reginal newspapers is an easy process and the chances of your letters published are good. All public meetings are published online and many can be attended virtually.

If you want a friendly editor, a second opinion, more data for your letter, or even an idea for a letter, please contact us. We think you’ll find it feels good to take this concrete action. See you in the papers!

Some Examples to Consider

Katie was motivated to counter Michael Reagan, a regular columnist in the Sentinel,  with her letter. 

In September, she wrote a letter to a county commissioner in response to his column, and last year she was moved to respond to a column written by her representative.

Jill, highly motivated, works to write for monthly publication (every 30 days is the Sentinel’s limit). She covers a wide array of topics: School teachers, racial justice, thinking critically and more.

Bill Turner began what seems now like a campaign to call out Scott Perry for his role in the January 6th insurrection.

Barb Pearce sent a letter to Scott Perry and shared that letter, with a preface, to the Sentinel.