Contents

Tips on making your views on US-India relations heard throughout the United States.

Giving India a Voice in the US

Writing Effective Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor are impossible to overuse. We clip them and circulate them through the office like gossip sheets of what's going on. The press represents an overall buzz in the community.
- Congressional Aide

Why write a Letter to the Editor

Every article appearing in the media about India is an opportunity for us to relevantly respond and get our views across.

The letters section is one of the most highly read segments of newspapers and magazines. Letters to the editor are an easy way for you to voice your opinion to policymakers, and to educate people about the secular and democratic nature of India. You can use letters to correct or interpret facts in response to an inaccurate or biased article, or to praise or highlight a specific point with which you agree.

Whatever your purpose, your letter will reach many people in your community and country and well-coordinated and consistent letter writing by individual activists can start and shape a national debate on US-India relations.

Increasing Your Chances of Getting Published

1. Know your paper's policy

Find out the newspaper's (or magazine's) policy for printing letters. Some have requirements for length of letters, some want letters to be typewritten, and almost all require that you include your name, address, home and work phone numbers. Of course, your address and phone numbers will never be printed. But most publications want to call you before they print your letter to confirm that you really did write it and that you do want it published.

If the paper doesn't publish their letters requirements next to the letters they print, don't be afraid to call. Ask to whom you should address your letter, if they have any length restrictions, and what format they prefer.

2. Be Timely

Responding to a recent article, editorial or op-ed is one of the best ways to increase your chances of getting published. Be sure to mention the name of the article and the date it was written in the beginning of your letter. You can also capitalize on recent news, events or anniversaries.

3. Keep it Simple

Letters to the editor should be concise, informative and personal. Keep your points short and clear. Stick to one subject. As a general rule, try to keep your letters to under 3-4 paragraphs in length, or no more than 150-160 words -- including your name. Make your first sentence short, compelling and catchy. Don't be afraid to be direct, engaging and even controversial. However, belligerent letters will usually be discarded.

4. Get Personal

Local and regional newspapers, at their core, are community entities. Editors of these papers will be much more likely to publish a letter if it demonstrates local relevance. You can use personal stories to illustrate a point. You can use names of elected officials or influential personalities.

If a letter to the editor mentions a representative's name, s/he will see it. Elected officials care about how they are being perceived --especially in their own district -- and they will pay attention to a letter that asks them to take a specific action. Urge the readers to support your position and let their representatives know their views.

Use your credentials. If you have expertise in an area you are writing about, say so. If you are using a sample letter provided by an organizaton, try to add your own words. Editors will not print cookie-cutter letters that are part of a manufactured campaign.

5. Send It

Papers accept letters to the editor by fax, post and e-mail. Use personal letterhead whenever possible.

If your letter is published, be sure to send it to your elected representatives. While they will probably have clipped the letter, it will carry more weight if it comes from you with a personal note attached.

Don't forget to send US-India Friendship.net a copy of your letter too. We will make sure the message gets to key officials, organizations, individuals and decision makers.

6. Follow Up

Don't be discouraged if your letter is not printed. Keep trying. You can even submit a revised letter with a different angle on the issue at a later date.

7. Think Strategically

Consider letters to the editor a regular, strategic campaign tool to increase the effectiveness of your overall activism for improved US-India relations. Try to target several papers, both in your region and nationwide.

It is especially good if the letters are geographically spread and the issue is repeated in a few areas. It creates a ripple effect. It shows that the issue has reached far into a particular district or throughout the country which, in turn, gets noticed by the policymaker.
- Congressional Aide