Tips to getting your letter to the editor published

The Tips:

Keep it short.
Editors cut from the bottom of a letter, so put your main point at the top. Letters should have short sentences. Ideally, they should be no more than a two or three paragraphs long. Check your targeted publication for specific word count guidelines.

Name, please.
Put your full first and last name, address, phone numbers (day and evening) and your e-mail address at the top of the letter. Most publications will want to call the writer to confirm that you wrote it; however, they only publish your name and general location.

Engage with your opening.
You have the best chance of swaying opinion if you open with a "big idea" or value, something to which most people already have a deep understanding or connection. For example, freedom, broad prosperity, security, common good, etc. Be sure to check out the Communicating Effectively About Government in Your Writing page for more tips.

Identify the article to which you are responding. 
If you're commenting on an article in the paper, mention the title, date and page number of the article. If you're commenting on a specific political position or speech, restate it briefly. Don't assume the reader knows what you're talking about.

Stick to one topic.
Deal with just one issue, article or speech in your letter. If you have several points to make, write a short letter to the editor for each and then get family and friends to send in the others.

Essential Elements of a Letter:

Dear Editor,

Open with reference and your big idea: I really appreciate your February 14 editorial, (or give page number) article (title), and the effort you make to demonstrate the amazing things we can accomplish for the common good when we work together.

Use the second paragraph to illustrate the problem and solution: This is why our public structures, like the library and the community center, need to be repaired. When we have places to come together and public resources open to all, we make are communities stronger, healthier and more in line with the American ideal of equal opportunity. Right now, the only revenue option in play is an override.

Close with a concise point: A vote for an override is a vote for a stronger (town name).

Sincerely,
Name
Address
Phone Numbers