Letters to the Editor are one of the most widely read sections of the newspaper. They allow community members to comment on the way issues are being addressed. As such, these letters are a critical tool for highlighting and responding to instances of ageism in media and reporting.

Here are some tips to help you write an effective “letter to the editor:”

1. Keep it short and focused. A concise letter (150-200 words) has a better chance of being published and of keeping the reader’s interest. It should also be logically organized and to the point. Start with a brief review of the argument you are opposing, followed by a statement of your position. Then present your evidence and close with a short restatement of your position or a pithy comment.
2. Make it personal. Don’t sound like everyone else. Use your own voice and say what’s on your mind. Start your letter with a phrase like “I strongly disagree with John Doe’s article because…” or “I was dismayed to see the age bias in John Doe’s recent article on health care reform…”
3. Be respectful. Editors tend to discard letters that are shrill or contain personal attacks. Instead, make a great argument in a tactful tone!
4. Include your contact info. Many newspapers will only publish a letter to the editor after verifying the author’s contact information (name, address, telephone number). When published, however, the letter will usually only include your name and city.
5. Do it! It might seem intimidating at first, but your opinion matters just as much as anyone else’s. Plus your letter might change the way other people see an issue. You can make a difference!

Below is a great example of a short and to-the-point letter, which was published in the Boston Herald. (Background: The author was responding to a columnist who argue that elders should have to obtain clearance from a doctor in order to continue driving).

Elderly Profiled
I find this a good article as far as it went. My concern is the bias against older drivers (“Course puts elder drivers on road to safer driving,” Nov. 10).

I agree that at some age a repeat driving test be required. But why just limit it to the elderly? What about drivers who are medically impaired? What about new drivers at any age? And people who have undergone serious surgery - shouldn’t they have a doctor’s clearance that they have the ability to return to driving once, and I emphasize once, they have passed a driving test. These could be people of any age. - Philip Legro, Natick, MA