Get in on the conversation
Published 12:01 am Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Something in the news got you ticked off? Notice a good deed that deserves praise?
Perhaps something in this newspaper, particularly on the Opinion page, got your dander up. Maybe you’re feeling compelled to give a public official a piece of your mind.
Do it. Become part of the public discussion of key issues by writing a letter to the editor. As blogs and tweets proliferate in this high-tech age, the letter to the editor remains one of the most effective, and most civil, forms of public communication.
The civility stems from the requirement that letter-writers stand behind their opinions by revealing their names. That often doesn’t happen in online discourse, where anonimity tends to embolden people to make personal attacks or other thoughtless remarks. In contrast, having your real name attached to what you say prompts a little more careful reflection.
That doesn’t mean others won’t disagree with, or even resent, opinions expressed in a letter to the editor. But if they want to respond publicly, they won’t be able to hide behind a pseudonym. That’s why we don’t allow online comments on letters to the editor — it wouldn’t be fair to force one person to identify themselves when expressing an opinion, then let others respond anonymously.
We receive more letters than we have space to publish, so here are a few tips that can help yours get into print:
•Send the required information — your full name, home address and phone number. We’ll only publish your name and city of residence; the phone number is in case we need to check something with you.
•Be concise. Letters that get right to the point draw more readers and thus have greater impact. Keep yours to 250 words or less and we won’t ask you to shorten it.
•Be topical. Issues currently in the news, or that are of unique local interest, make for a more vibrant letter section.
•Letters submitted by e-mail (letters@heraldnet.com) take less processing on our end, so they tend to get into the paper sooner. It’s still OK to use pen, paper and a postage stamp, though. Send paper letters to Letters Section, The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA, 98206.
The fact that you’re reading this page shows you care about the community and world you live in. Chances are you have some ideas for improving things. Share them!
