Write a Letter to the Editor or Op-Ed
Weigh in on an issue and help influence your fellow citizens’ opinions by submitting a Letter to The Editor (LTE) or an Op-Ed to one of our community’s publications.
Letter to the editor: Short, to-the-point, possibly in response to a recent article in the publication.
Op-ed or guest column: A little longer, expressing an opinion or viewpoint on a timely topic.
If you are interested in writing a Letter to the Editor or an Op-Ed and would like some assistance or guidance, please contact Gerry Bogatz at gbogatz@marketingworks.com.
Tips for An effective letter to the editor or op-ed
You’ll be most likely to get published if your letter is:
Brief: Stay within the word limit and follow all submission guidelines. Most LTEs are about 200 words, and op-eds are about 600 to 800 words.
Timely: Start by connecting the issue with current events and make it clear why the reader should care.
Personal: Share a story about how the issue affects you and those around you.
Focused: Choose one central idea and stick to it.
Clear: Use simple language and sentences, and avoid jargon, clearly explaining ideas.
Readable: Use short paragraphs to make the text easier to read.
Unifying: Think about the views of people who might disagree with you and highlight any common ground.
Persuasive: Acknowledge counter-arguments and refute them with evidence.
Actionable: End your letter with a call to action: For example, “Learn more at www.doylestowndemocrats.com or “Write your state legislator to support this bill.”
Hot Topics
Abuse by the Central Bucks School District board
Book banning
Discrimination
Tax payer dollars wasted on PR to cover the Board’s bad decisions
Tax payer dollars used to “investigate” or harass those complaining of discrimination
So-called “Stolen Elections” in Bucks County
We have hand-marked paper ballots, the most secure record of a voter’s intent
False claims about the 2020 election have prompted anti-voter laws and mistrust in the process
We must all act against the threat of election misinformation
Election denial was a highly visible issue for many GOP candidates in Pennsylvania and looks to continue
Our voting system is *not* compromised and that we should have complete confidence in it
Sample letters
Protecting Public Education Can Help Protect The Country From Another January 6th Insurrection - by Tabitha Dell'Angelo
Bucks County Beacon, January 6, 2023
The Right-Wing Money And Influence Behind Moms For Liberty - by Maurice Cunningham
Bucks County Beacon, October 10, 2022
Our elections are secure, not stolen
Not published, August, 2022
Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play? - by Jeff Cogshall
Bucks County Courier Times, January 6, 2022
Sample Op-Ed
Fix Harrisburg by changing the rules – by Rachel Sorokin Goff
Bucks County Courier Times, April 4, 2022
Bucks County Publications our voters read
Below is a list of newspapers and how to submit an LTE or op-ed.
Bucks County Herald
Send letters to 875 N. Easton Road, Doylestown 18902, or janastasi@BucksCountyHerald.com or fax to 215-794-1109.
Only signed letters will be used and a contact phone number must be submitted with letters.
Letters that contain slanderous or profane language will be rejected or the text will be cut.
The Herald aims to print only factual accounts.
Letters are readers’ opinions.
Letters may be edited for clarity and to fit space available.
The Intelligencer
Email a letter or op-ed to letters@theintell.com
300-word limit
Philadelphia Inquirer
Send letters to letters@inquirer.com.
Limit length to 150 words.
Include home address and day and evening phone number.
Letters are published in the Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online at: www.inquirer.com/opinion/letters/
If you are interested in writing an LTE or an Op-Ed and would like some assistance or guidance, please contact Gerry Bogatz at gbogatz@marketingworks.com.