Letter to the editor

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2. Your take on the news
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Editor.jpg

3. • The letters to the editor section of your
local paper is an ideal forum for sharing
your opinion and story with the local
community.
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4. • It is one of the first pages many elected
officials turn to.
• Letters to the editor show that an issue is
of concern to the community and are
excellent tools for education.

5. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/

6. Guidelines
• Localize your letter -- explain or include examples
• Make your letter timely - if the newspaper has recently
printed a story or column that interests you, you can
reference the article and use it as a springboard for your
letter.
• Keep your letter short and to the point -- 250 words
maximum.
• Your letter should carry its most important message in
the first paragraph.
Source: Human rights Campaign

7. • 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.
Source: Human rights Campaign

8. • 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.
Source: Human rights Campaign

9. • Don't be afraid to ask for action -- tell
readers what you want them to do. This
includes your elected representatives; you
can be sure they read the letters to the
editor.
Source: Human rights Campaign

10. Format
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11. Task
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12. • Compose your letter to the editor following the guidelines I gave,
and send your letter to the editor via email (see links below).
• When you send your letter (to the Editor) do not include your student
number nor indicate that it is an assignment. You need to present
your work as a letter coming from a concerned Taiwanese citizen
who has something relevant to say/comment on.
Before you compose your letter, study the already published letters,
and analyze their format.
• Follow the same writing format and style.
You will be notified by the editor if your work has been chosen.
Please share and let us know if your letter has been selected and
published.

14. Examples from students’ published
work

16. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/letters/2012/04/13/3377
29/Lines-between.htm

17. @motherchina

18. @motherchina

21. Your Opinion.

22. Photo credit: http://uberdox.aishdas.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/letter-to-editor-
547x198.jpg