Letters to the editor and guest opinions allow community members to respond to current events, contribute personal perspectives and introduce readers to information or arguments they may not encounter elsewhere.

Look for a clear connection between your subject and something happening now. Possible news hooks include:

1. A breaking national or local news story.
2. A newspaper editorial or staff-written column.
3. A locally written op-ed or letter.
4. A court ruling or pending Supreme Court case.
5. A campaign-finance report or disclosure.
6. A congressional, state or local government action.
7. A local controversy involving corporate influence.
8. A recurring anniversary or civic observance.

Predictable dates give writers time to prepare. Connect an anniversary to a current court case, campaign-finance report, local controversy or personal experience. The date alone is not the story.

A Simple Five-Part Formula

1. 1. Name the news hook. Identify the article, editorial or event you are addressing.
   2. Make one clear point. Explain what you believe is missing from the discussion.
   3. Make it personal or local. Explain how the issue affects you or your community.
   4. Explain the larger connection. If writing from Move to Amend’s perspective, describe how the subject relates to corporate constitutional rights or the treatment of political spending as protected expression.
   5. End memorably. Return to your opening idea, ask a meaningful question or state the central takeaway.

Sample Opening

A Simple Structure

1. 1. Opening: Begin with a recent event, striking fact, local example, anniversary or personal experience.
   2. Problem: Explain the immediate issue clearly and in plain language.
   3. Evidence: Include credible facts, original sources and specific examples.
   4. Root cause: Explain the larger legal, constitutional or structural issue behind the news.
   5. Proposal or response: Describe the proposal or perspective accurately, including what it would and would not do.
   6. Conclusion: End with a memorable takeaway rather than simply repeating the introduction.

Questions to Answer Before Writing

1. • Why does this subject matter now?
   • What has the publication already said about it?
   • What new fact, experience or analysis can you contribute?
   • Why are you an appropriate person to write about it?
   • Does the publication request a pitch or a completed article?

Move to Amend may provide sample letters or op-eds. Treat them as starting points rather than finished submissions.

1. • Rewrite the opening in your own words.
   • Add a local article, event or controversy.
   • Include personal experience when appropriate.
   • Add information about your community or state.
   • Verify and update every statistic.
   • Confirm that bill numbers and links remain current.
   • Replace general language with your own conclusion.

Before submitting, locate the publication’s “Submit a Letter,” “Opinion,” “Guest Commentary” or “Contact Us” page.

1. • Confirm the word limit.
   • Use the required email address or submission form.
   • Follow any required subject-line format.
   • Check whether links or citations are permitted.
   • Determine whether an author biography or photograph is required.
   • Review the publication’s exclusivity policy.
   • Check whether previously published material is accepted.
   • Confirm how frequently the same writer may be published.

Suggested Subject Lines

Exclusivity and Multiple Submissions

Publication policies vary. Some accept simultaneous submissions, while others do not. Follow each outlet’s stated rules.

Many publications expect op-eds to be offered exclusively while under consideration. Do not promise exclusivity to more than one publication. If another publication accepts the piece, promptly notify other editors considering it.

Coordinate with other Move to Amend writers so the same publication does not receive several identical templates.

Notice how these writers use a timely event or recurring date, focus their argument and disclose a relevant Move to Amend role.

Older examples may contain superseded bill numbers, statistics or campaign information. Use them to study writing technique and verify all factual claims before preparing a new submission.

1. 1. Thank the editor.
   2. Save the publication link and publication date.
   3. Email the link to [email protected].
   4. Share the published link through appropriate personal and organizational channels.
   5. Send the link to relevant community organizations or public offices.
   6. Review the publication’s terms before reproducing the full article elsewhere.

This training incorporates and updates material originally adapted with permission from Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s “Writing Effective Letters to the Editor.” Move to Amend thanks Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Mark Reynolds for their cooperation.