Letters to the Editor Toolkit

1. Tips for writing a letter
2. Find local newspapers in your area
3. Talking points on health care
4. Tell Rhode Island for Health Care if your letter is published!

1. Tips for writing a letter
The letters to the editor section of your local paper is an ideal forum for sharing your opinion and story with your local community. In addition, it is one of the first pages many elected officials turn to as they consider what is on the minds of their constituents. Letters to the editor show that an issue is of concern to the community. Here are a few guidelines for getting your letter to the editor printed.

• As you begin to write your letter, consider what you want your reader to take away from it and stay focused on delivering that message.
• Localize your letter -- explain how the health care crisis has affected you or your community. Include as many examples as possible.
• Make your letter timely - if the newspaper has recently printed a story or column about the issue of health care, you can reference the article and use it as a springboard for your letter.
• Keep your letter short and to the point.
• Your letter should carry its most important message in the first paragraph.
• Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Editors like to call to confirm that the letter was actually written by the person whose name appears on the letter.
• Limit the number of points you make, and stay on the same subject.

Don't be disappointed if your letter does not get printed. Newspapers get many letters every day and can't print all of them. Most papers won't print the same writers over and over again. Therefore, if you have had a letter published recently, try to get a friend or co-worker to write one.

At Rhode Island for Health Care, we are ready and willing to proofread your letter. You can e-mail a draft of your letter to Letters@ImAHealthCareVoter.org. Be sure to include the name and state of the newspaper that you are planning to submit the letter to.

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2. Find local newspapers in your area
Just click here to search for local newspapers in your area. It is a good idea to confirm with the newspaper directly at what e-mail or snail mail address they accept letters.

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3. Talking points on the health care crisis

• Everyone deserves quality, affordable health care they can count on.
• Health care costs keep rising with no end in site.
• No one should go without access to a doctor just because they are poor or work for someone who does not offer health care coverage.
• 80% of our country's uninsured come from a family where at least one person works full time.

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4. Tell Rhode Island for Health Care if your letter is published!
If your letter is published, please send us a copy! You can e-mail a copy to Letters@ImAHealthCareVoter.org, via fax at (401) 331-5266, or snail mail to:

Rhode Island for Health Care
298 West Exchange Street
Providence, RI 02903

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