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Letters to the Editor affect public opinion, educate readers
on an issue, and influence public officials. They can
help raise awareness about brain cancer and The Chris
Elliott Fund's mission among elected officials, stakeholders,
and the public.
When writing a Letter to the Editor, remember these simple
points:
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Keep it short. Check with your newspaper's editorial
department on the word limit requirements. Keeping it short
also means your important points won't be left out.
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Be clear. Stick to one very clear point.
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Substantiate. Support your position with facts.
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Personalize. Write about your own experience - tell
why you care about brain cancer research.
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Make it local. Tell how this issue affects your local
community.
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Be polite!
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Sign it. Include your name, address and telephone number.
Don't forget to sign and date your letter and include your
phone number. Many papers will call and confirm the
author before printing the letter.
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Cite references. If possible, reference a recent news
article from your local paper. While it is not necessary, it
helps if you are responding to a particular story in the
paper. Include the headline and date in the first or
second sentence of your letter.
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Letters to the Editor tell the newspaper editor that your
issues are important and should be covered. A campaign
can pave the way for an opinion-editorial placement on your
issue.
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