Writing a letter or op-ed to your local newspaper is a great way to raise awareness about children’s issues.  They are read by lawmakers, action groups and citizens and can help play a role in shaping legislation to benefit our region’s children.

What is an op-ed?

Op-ed stands for “opposite the editorial page,” where it usually appears in the paper.  It is an opinion piece written by elected officials, organizations and everyday citizens who do not work for the newspaper. Op-ed’s allow people to share their view on current issues and offer up their own solutions.

Tips for writing an op-ed

1. Find out the word requirements and deadlines from your local newspaper.  A typical op-ed should be around 500 words but they vary from paper to paper.
2. Research articles the paper you are writing to has written on the issue you are writing about.  You should reference those articles in your op-ed to show why your op-ed is newsworthy.
3. Include any statistics to back up your viewpoint on a children’s issue.
4. At the end of your op-ed, include a brief description of who you are i.e. “Jane Smith is the Executive Director of XYZ Inc.”
5. Once you submit your op-ed, follow-up in a few days to see if the newspaper has received it and is considering running it.

Writing a letter to your local newspaper

Writing a letter to your local newspaper is a quick and easy way to share your opinion on a story in the paper.  Letters are typically short, about 100 words, but just like an op-ed, the requirements can vary from paper to paper.